New "High Availability" Dial Plan 'H'

[Robert Dinse <nanook@eskimo.com>]

     Over time I've received e-mails from customers asking if they could have
access to more than one network because they have an absolute need to be able
to access the Internet. 

     Because we are charged by various port wholesalers for each account, our
costs are higher for providing access to more than one network.

     To accomodate needs of people who have a need for high availability, I've
created yet another dial plan that does give access to MegaPOP, Qwest, Telia,
and UUNET dialups.  This is more expensive for us to provide, and consequently
the rates are considerably higher.  But if you have an absolute need to access
the Internet, this is your best bet.

     In Seattle for example, this plan gives access to seven different
telephone numbers using four different port wholesalers with four different
backbones using six different telephone companies.  So if a fiber cut takes out
one backbone, or one telco is a problem, you have other alternatives available
to you immediately. 

     What you would do on a PC with Windows for example, is create seperate
dial-up networking entries for each option.  Then when one fails to connect you
can just click on another and go. 

     Ideally things would never break, but in the real world they do. 
Equipment fails, people dig up fiber with a backhoe, etc.  If you're profession
is one in which the lack of Internet access at a crucial moment could be
expensive, then this is an option you may want to consider. 

     See:

	http://www.eskimo.com/dial/