As far as the x2 testing in another post...I cannot, in any way, agree with
you. Our Cisco gets more upper connection speeds than our Ascend. You
aren't running it in a controlled environment if it is in production? I'm
sorry to say that connect speed is hardly a valid indication of throughput,
which is the only true speed of a connection; one can buy a 1.544mbps T1
but only use 384K, so how do they prove they have a 1.544mbps line? "But my
connect speeds says 1.544mbps, that is what it is!"
All that said does not mean I completely disagree with you, but someone has
to argue and supply the "other" side of the story. It is really ashame,
though, you feel that way about independent contractors. I was/could be
again one myself and happened to please many clients that are still
operating. But, to each their own; I think with all of this argumentative
information he will be able to make the right decision.
At 06:27 PM 3/24/98 -0600, you wrote:
>ARG!!!! Did I really here (see) someone suggest that an independant
>contractor try to evaluate the needs of an ISP? Gad zukes!!! Man
>eventhough we had many of the same thoughts, different products, I was with
>you until that one. His best option would be to really think of the
>questions, define his short term and long term needs, then contact the
>vendors of each, ask them for why their products would be better than the
>competition. Then listen to how the vendor will try and impose their own
>bias into the equation. The remember any ISP can be successful with any
>product. The key is relationship. Get to know the vendor, I would almost
>recommend bypassing the VAR, as they sell what gives them the most $$.
>
> With the few number of ports you may not get vendors to send you equipment
>on trial, but I can get almost any equipment for 60 day trial. I can then
>evaluate them head to head and based on what I like and dislike make a
>decision. I would recommend also since you are going to have limited
>experience to get a support contract. With the USR they will actually come
>onsite and install, plus provision it with the telco. (I know not much to
>provision, but still for the novice getting this attention for NO
>additional cost is hard to match!!!!)
>
>>companies deal with different products. Whether they started with them or
>>someone suggested them, it doesn't matter. My only suggestion is to
>>evaluate (exactly as Michael has stated) your needs for the network and
>>look to the future. If you don't feel qualified (you have questions about
>>products), then I would have someone PERSONALLY come in from an independent
>>contractor and advise you on what is the best solution for your individual
>>needs.
>
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