Global Technology Associates GBWA200501-01 manual Optional Components, Memory Recommendations

1 - Introduction 5

Optional Components

•1-18 additional network cards (if using the Multi-Interface Option)

•Async modem (PPP connections or pager only)

•ISDN TA with RS-232 interface (PPP connections only)

•Cable modem

•Serial ports for COM 1-4 (1645x/1655x UARTs only)

Note

GTA recommends installing only the GB-Ware required or GB-Ware optional components in the system. Devices such as SCSI controllers and sound cards remain unused and may decrease performance.

Memory Recommendations

Adding RAM is an easy way to boost system performance. Using 64 MB RAM, the physically possible maximum number of concurrent sessions is 32,765; using 128 MB RAM, the physically possible maximum is 128,000 connections. Generally, the more features that are being utilized (e.g. DNS server or Mail Sentinel email proxy), the more RAM is recommended for optimum performance.

Note

Some GB-Ware options may require additional RAM.

PPP Hardware

GNAT Box System Software supports the use of a PPP network connection in place of a network interface card for the external network interface. The

PPPinterface supports only a dial-up connection and a single remote system configuration. Once of the following should be used:

•An external asynchronous modem. COM ports 1-4 are supported; only COM ports based on the 1645x/1655x UARTs are supported.

•An internal asynchronous modem. Only modems that use 1645x/1655x compliant UARTs are supported.

•An ISDN external modem/terminal adapter. COM ports 1-4 are supported; only COM ports based on the 1645x/1655x compliant UARTs are supported.

•Network interface card (NIC) for use with PPPoE (ADSL) or PPTP.

Serial Port Hardware

Most serial ports will easily support any asynchronous modem or a single BRI 64Kbps ISDN connection. If both channels of a BRI line are used to achieve 128Kbps, throughput may be limited to 115Kbps due to serial port limitations.