w8sdz@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (Keith Petersen) (08/12/89)
This file is now available from SIMTEL20 as pd1:<msdos.network>PCROUT20.ARC.
--Keith
[--forwarded message (somewhat edited for brevity)--]
From: morrison@accuvax.nwu.edu (Vance Morrison )
Organization: Northwestern Univ. Evanston, Il.
Subject: PCroute 2.0 ($800 IP router) now available
To: tcp-ip@NIC.DDN.MIL
Well, at long last, PCroute2.0 is available. Version 2.0 is a big
step forward for PCroute. In particular SLIP support has now been
added. For those unfamiliar with PCroute here is a short description.
Vance
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PCROUTE - an IP routing program from the IBM PC
Vance Morrison
morrison@accuvax.nwu.edu
Traditionally IP routers have been fairly high performance,
expensive machines. Typically they run about $5000-$10,000 a unit.
Until now a IP router for under $5000 was just about impossible
to get. Recent developments in PC hardware, however, has made
it possible to convert a PC to an IP router for a TOTAL of $800
a unit. This price is less that the cost of many ethernet boards
and thus it now makes sense to always use dedicated router to
perform IP gatewaying functions.
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What is PCroute?
PCroute is software written for an PC/XT (or AT) or clone that will
allow it to act as a IP router. At present the following interfaces
are supported.
Ethernet - (WD8003E card) (recommeded no more than 4 interfaces)
Starlan - (WD8003S card) (up to 6 interfaces)
Localtalk - (Apple localtalk card for the PC) (1 interface max)
SLIP - (COM1..COM4) (2 interfaces max)
One of the most common configuration for the router is as an
ethernet-ethernet router, but this is not the only configuration possible.
The software supports up to 6 interfaces of varying types, so many
many configurations are possible. Exact details on what is possible
is explained in the installation/compilation manual
In addition to the XT, the only other hardware needed are the
networking cards, which at present run about $225 a piece (for ethernet).
Since you can buy an XT (10Mhz, without an monitor) for $350, the total
cost for the hardware is $800
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