So you want to become an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Being an ISP will be both challenging and rewarding. Challenging because of the complexity of the hardware (equipment), and software required and their configurations. It is rewarding financially as you will have the potential to create many revenue streams.

This is what you need

My search for information on becoming an ISP found the following companies with information on their web sites:
• Cyclades: www.cyclades.com/– Cyclades Tech Talk section has the following information:
  1. How to be an ISP
  This document explains the basic hardware and software pieces necessary to provide dialup and dedicated Internet access services. Our focus in on small Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and our objective is to put the Cyclades products in the context of an ISP network and provide pointers to other basic hardware and software information.
  2. Console Access Server The demand for console management equipment is on the rise as a consequence of the increasing use of clusters and server farms to reach the processing capacity required by Internet and corporate applications.
  3. RAS Buyer's Guide A Remote Access Server (RAS) is a network box that connects remote dialup clients to a Local Area Network (LAN. RAS are used by Internet Service Providers (ISP) and Corporate Network Managers to allow home users, small offices, and telecommuters to connect to the Internet or the corporate LAN from remote sites using analog phone lines or ISDN lines.
  4. V.90 Modem Compatibility Internet Service Providers (ISP) providing dialup access to home users have the difficult task of supporting their customer base and dealing with a very heterogeneous set of hardware and software. Some of the most frequent support calls at an ISP are the ones related to difficulties in getting reliable V.90 modem connections.
  5. Multiport Serial Boards: A Buyer's Guide Choosing the best solution is not simple. There are several aspects of a product that define its "performance". Some of those may or may not be important for your particular application. Service, technical support and cost are also important factors to consider.
  6. PC300 - The Router Killer The Cyclades-PC300 or simply PC300 is a synchronous board that can be installed in any available PCI slot of a server. It provides WAN connectivity with point-to-point leased lines or switched networks (Frame Relay and X.25). This document discusses how the PC300 can be used to replace an external router, with potential cost and integration advantages. The PC300 is compatible with Linux servers running on standard PCs or network appliances such as the Cobalt Qube. It supports PPP, Frame Relay, HDLC and X.25 protocols.
  7. MS-DOS to Linux Migration There is a lot of software, especially in the industrial and commercial applications fields, still running in MS-DOS. This software is being gradually ported to more modern and powerful operating systems and a large part of them is finding the best match in Linux.
  8. T1/E1 Line Provisioning for Remote Access This document provides information intended to help in the process of provisioning the T1 or E1 dialup trunk lines for use with the Cyclades-PR4000 Remote Access Server.
  9. TS and RAS - Applications This document gives a brief overview with an historical perspective of Terminal Servers and Remote Access Servers. The focus of this discussion is on the possible applications, not in the technical details.
  10. Cyclades and Linux This paper focuses on the Cyclades Corporation commitment with the Linux Operating System.
  11. Still Using Statistical Multiplexers? This paper shows how to save money and simplify the communication infrastructure by eliminating dedicated leased lines used by statistical multiplexers and consolidate serial data in the IP network.
  12. Home, Industrial and Commercial Automation This paper focuses on Home, Commercial and Industrial Automation using RS-232. It presents the advantages of using the Cyclades Cyclom-Y multi-port serial board as well as other board models.
  13. Routing Protocols Routers are networking units that understand the Network protocol layer (specifically IP, the Internet Protocol). Their basic function is to connect different networks and allow exchange of packets of information between them.
  14. MultiLink Circuits This document explains Multilink Circuits, a concept present in the Cyclades Routing Operating System (CyROS) Operating System. There are several features related to this concept, including Load Balancing, Link Backup, Load Backup, and Dial-on-Demand (this last is not really related to Multilink Circuits but is being included for its relation to the other features).
  15. RS-232 Cabling Tutorial There is nothing more frustrating than buying the latest and most expensive last-generation super DVD stereo system, getting home, and then not being able to try it out because the cables to connect the speakers are missing.
      We have a similar feeling when networking equipment does not work because an RS-232 cable is missing or because we cannot find a DB-9 to DB-25 adapter.
• ISP Ltd: http://ispltd.com/ – ISP Ltd. How To section has the following information:
  1. Introduction: How to Become an ISP The basic steps to starting an ISP are as follows:
     1. Acquire the equipment needed
     2. Contract for Internet connection
     3. Contract for telephone services (unless using wireless only)
     4. Install equipment
     5. Market your ISP
     .
  2. Virtual ISP Searching the web you will find dozens of Virtual ISPs who would like you to resell their service. The most common scenario is that, for a monthly fee, you get a certain number of accounts that you can sell along with some disk space to dole out among your users. Another method is that the ISP gives you a discount on their fees, then you charge your customers a higher rate (in other words, you become their sales agent).
  3. Two Approaches If you manage to retain a consultant experienced in ISP installations or ask older ISPs how they did it, you will probably hear something like this .... a eleven (11) step process and cost $$$$.
     ISP Ltd. has eliminated most of these traditional steps. Our method is to:
     1. Purchase a turnkey package
     2. Hire one or more system administrators
     3. Contract for backbone and telephone services
     4. 30 to 60 days later you will be in operation
  4. Why Linux? In just a few years Linux had gone from conception to sophistication. And it takes about the same effort to learn as any other operating system. A tremendous advantage Linux has over other operating systems is that it is free and Open Source. Source code for commercial software is never distributed. When problems or special needs arise, a system administrator has the ability to correct the Linux software rather than waiting until a commercial publisher decides to fix or enhance it and release an updated version.
  5. Telco and Backbone To put your ISP into operation you will need the services of your local telephone company and an Internet backbone provider. From the phone company you will need T1, E1, or PRI lines for incoming phone calls. Every T1 line has 24 dial-up lines, E1 lines have 30 dial-up lines, So, for example, to provide 240 dial-up lines for subscribers you will need 10 T1 lines.
  6. Modems There are two things you must decide:
     • Number of modems
     • Type of modems
  7. Servers and Other Equipment Some computer components are unreliable - there's no question about it - and some are rock solid. An ISP network must keep running 24-hours per day, so reliable equipment is essential.
  8. Your ISP's Home Page You need an effective home page for your service which has plenty of features and links. Many Internet users will decide upon or change providers based on the ISP's home page because of the impression that the ISP's home page is the users' link to the Internet.
  9. Frequently Asked Questions How many phone lines are needed?
     Where do I get my IP addresses and how much do they cost?
     etc.

Other Resources

• Welcome to internet.com real-time internet news and resources
• Alliance Datacom: HOW TO BECOME AN ISP How to become an ISP. Internet Service Providers startup and information.
• Alliance Datacom: NEW AND REFURBISHED ISP EQUIPMENT We stock both new and refurbished networking equipment

The above information was found while doing research for a company planning to offer Internet Service in Jamaica. This is not an endorsement of the above named companies by me. It is intended to be for informational purposes only. Philip