For many organizations, the use of the Internet as a communications tool is hampered by having to share phone lines, email addresses, or both, creating access bottlenecks and frustrations among the users. Thankfully, there are now standalone devices, known as analog modem routers, that enable all the machines on a local network to simultaneously share a single dialup Internet connection.  One such device is 3Com's OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem. The goal of this document is not to walk you through the entire installation process, but to make you aware of this powerful tool, and help you decide whether it is something you should investigate further.

Overview: what is the OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem?

The OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem is a self-contained device that allows all of the computers on a local area network (LAN) to share a single dialup Internet connection, eliminating the need for each person in your organization to have a separate phone line and modem to access the Internet.   It can allow everyone on your network to surf the World Wide Web and send and receive email at the same time, rather than having to wait in line to use a single Internet-connected computer.

The OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem does not provide each person on your LAN with their own email account--you will have to make arrangements to provide each person in your organization with an individual email account.

When to install a OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem

The OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem is an excellent solution under these conditions:

• You have a small LAN (2-10 computers) of computers that are connected via Ethernet wiring.
• You have a dialup PPP Internet access account and a phone line that you don't share with anything else (like a fax machine).
• You have established individual POP email accounts for each of your key staff members.

What does it cost?

The OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem sells for about $250, and includes a built-in 56k V.90 modem, and a 4-port Ethernet hub.

Using a OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem to connect your LAN to the Internet can result in substantial savings; with a shared connection, you need only a single dialup account to connect your entire office to the Internet.

Where to get the OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem

You can order the OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem from major mail-order computer equipment vendors such as NECX (http://www.necx.com/ ) and Buy.com (http://www.buy.com ).  

You can find more detailed information on the OfficeConnect 56k LAN Modem, including an excellent user manual, on 3Com's Web site at:
    http://www.3com.com/products/dsheets/400397.html  

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