Lucent Technologies PortMaster - Manual (Page 78)

Asynchronous Port Uses
5-2 PortMaster Configuration Guide
offices dial into a central hub that routes among them, and a mesh where every office
can speak to any other office on demand. Intermediate configurations between star and
mesh are also possible.
To add network bandwidth on-demand, additional ports can be configured for load-
balancing. These ports can be configured to connect to a location when the network
traffic exceeds a specific level. In this configuration, multiple ports are connected during
times of heavy traffic, thereby adding bandwidth as needed, and are disconnected when
traffic drops.
Connections to the Internet. You can set an asynchronous port for a continuous
connection to an Internet service provider (ISP) by configuring it for continuous dial-
out. In this configuration if the dial-out line is dropped, the PortMaster automatically
reestablishes the connection.
Connecting to the Internet should include packet filtering and security to ensure that
access to the local network is restricted.
Chapter 16, “Using Internet Connections,” gives an example of an asynchronous
continuous dial-out connection to the Internet.
Logging in to Remote Hosts. Communication servers are most commonly used to
allow remote users to dial in to a network location and access a host with their local
account. This configuration is also used by ISPs that provide many users access to shell
accounts. PortMaster asynchronous ports can be configured for login by dial-in users.
When users dial in, they are connected to a modem, are allowed to log in, and are then
connected to a specified host for the current session.
Chapter 17, “Providing User Dial-In Access,” gives an example of an asynchronous
remote log-in connection.
Dial-In Network Connectivity. A PortMaster asynchronous port can provide PPP or
SLIP service to a dial-in user, allowing the user to route TCP/IP traffic across a modem
to access the local network or the entire Internet. If the port is running PPP, the user can
also route IPX traffic in this way. This configuration is very heavily used by ISPs and by
corporations with remote users running client/server applications that require to access
central hosts from home, field offices, or on the road.
Chapter 17, “Providing User Dial-In Access,” gives an example of an asynchronous dial-
in connection.
Sharing Devices across the Network. PortMaster asynchronous ports can be
configured to allow network hosts access to shared devices connected directly to the
PortMaster. If the network host is running the PortMaster in.pmd daemon, a