01/09/98: Additional Modem Access to Bruin OnLine

The Bruin OnLine modem pool is growing. A new modem pool has been created by leasing 400 modems from EarthLink Network, Inc (EarthLink). Although the new pool is owned and operated by EarthLink, it has been set up to operate exactly like the (UCLA) BOL modems. The new pool has a 20 minute idle time out period and a 4 hour maximum login period. The leased pool does have one added feature - it supports up to 56Kbps using the k56Flex protocol.

All of the modems used to dial into BOL can be used to dial in to this new pool. Basically all that needs to be changed is the telephone number. Existing Bruin OnLine software installations should be configurable with little effort.

The complete instructions for setting up new dialing configurations for the Macintosh and Windows platforms are located at:

Select the section that is appropriate for your current method of dialing up to Bruin OnLine. Due to system nuances, we strongly recommend that those using Win95, Win3.1x or OT/PPP create their new dialing configurations using the instructions above.

For the do-it-yourself-ers the system parameters are the same as those for the regular Bruin OnLine modem pool. The only difference is the new telephone number listed below.

You should be able to log in normally using your existing BOLid, password and BOL dialing scripts. Once connected, you should be able to access services restricted to normal Bruin OnLine dialups, such as Melvyl or the UCLA campus news server.

If you need assistance please contact consulting at consult@ucla.edu or 825-7452, option 1. Be sure to specify that you are dialing into the new or aggregate modem pool.

Note: Many people are wondering why BOL chose the k56Flex protocol over the X2 protocol. Let me assure you that we have not chosen either protocol. We advocate the deployment and use of industry standards, to allow equipment interoperability among different vendors. Neither of the two proposed versions of V34+ (X2 and k56Flex) have been selected as the future standard and therefore we do not support either protocol.

The new modem pool has been created by leasing 400 modems from EarthLink Network (ELN). These modems are owned and operated by ELN and not BOL. BOL contracted for 400 modems that support the V.34 (33.6kbps) protocol. Our aim is to ensure that all of the modems currently used to dialin to BOL can be used to dialin to this new pool.

ELN has chosen to fulfill the contract by providing us with 400 modems that happen to support the k56Flex protocol, in addition to v.34. The leased pool has been set up to operate exactly like the regular BOL modem pool. It has a 20 minute idle time out period and a 4 hour maximum login period. The only difference is that it has one added feature - it supports up to 56Kbps using the k56Flex protocol.

The international committee which decides upon protocol standards is expected to meet early this year and begin discussion of how the final standard for 56 kbps should be implemented. At that time, most modem manufacturers are expected to begin releasing modems which support the proposed standard. The final vote is expected to take place later this year.

Fri Jan 9 09:59:26 PST 1998, cbs