Oxygen
Times Square can't shine as bright
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Nesconset, NY
|  Building an ISP: Step 1 - Headend
A while ago, my friend/close neighbor asked me if I could run him a Cat5 cable from my business line from Level3 - I gave him a smile and said 'Some day, some day  '.
He inspired me to create a small level ISP, servicing about 15-25 homes in close range. Ofcoarse, you have to invest in order to make profits, so here is my story of turning a LAN network into a 'real' head-end!
Before any modifications to the network:
Removal of old shelf to build a new rack, and re-wiring:
The area had to be sealed of during night hours to prevent any tampering with costly equipment:
Once I had the basic power/data cables wired, I had to test out the functionality of the new equipment:
The new Bay Networks Baystack/Distributed modular switch:
Gigabit duplex fiber optic uplink:
10/100 Ethernet ports for local nodes and other equipment:
DigitalLink Fiber Multiplexer. Used to mux/demux data from Level3's private link. Capable of data/voice over IP:
Side view of the 2 main fiber feeds for the customers (TX/RX):
Close up of the feeds:
4 fiber optic cables on outside. Go into the PVC distribution pipes from the green box:
The complete and finished head-end:
Welcome, you now have Gigabit fiber internet :
Note the other network icon is for Optimum Online cable
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Q: Hey, are you going to service my town?
A: No, I only service Middlesex Dr. and Manchester Blvd.
Q: Was it easy to start an ISP?
A: No, it's hard and takes alot of time and planning.
Q: How many subscribers are going to sign up when you are ready?
A: So far, 12.
Q: What is the name of the ISP?
A: DHFI or Dix Hills Fiber Internet.
Q: Can subscribers get service via Cat5 cable?
A: If they are within 75ft of the head-end.
Q: How much do you pay for backbone bandwidth?
A: It varies by usage, speed that is required.
Q: What is the average cost to you?
A: I prefer not to discuss prices, sorry.
Q: Where do you purchase equipment/cables?
A: CDW, CompuSource, Microcenter, BlackBox Inc.
Q: Did you need permits to dig up the land?
A: Some times, it was mostly on private property.
Comments/Suggestions appreciated. Flames will not be tolerated.
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Plus Labs | AIM | Photo Forum | Optimum Online Forum | |
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cbcalhoun
Premium
join:2000-09-04
Heath, OH | Ahah! You got more stickers YAY! It is looking nice! =) Hope you get that com port working! |
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removed
Crisis Management Squad
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
clubs:
| reply to Oxygen
Wow, looks like you're really gonna make some money. Servicing 2 streets is a start. But maybe you'll oWn Level3 in a couple of years.. What do you know, you just could.
Good luck with the ISP. Looks fairly entertaining to me so far.
oWn3d
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irc.dal.net - #DSLr | AIM | oWn3d's Guide to mIRC | Broadband Photography! |
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Jaime
Premium
join:2001-06-03
Huntington Beach, CA |  reply to Oxygen
OMG, that's awesome. So many blinking lights  . |
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kcharg
Kcharg
Premium,VIP
join:2000-10-28
Forney, TX | This is awesome!!! |
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netgear
Restless Native
Premium
join:1999-12-20
Arlington, TX | reply to Oxygen
Very nice, O2 - best wishes with your venture. |
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Oxygen
Times Square can't shine as bright
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Nesconset, NY
| reply to Jaime
said by The skrote:
OMG, that's awesome. So many blinking lights .
Here is a night time shot --- gota love the lights!
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IcEr3K
Premium
join:2001-01-19
Los Angeles, CA
clubs:  | reply to Oxygen
some speed tests? |
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Oxygen
Times Square can't shine as bright
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Nesconset, NY
| reply to Jaime
said by The skrote:
OMG, that's awesome. So many blinking lights .
Oh yes, especially when I run tests to the .255 address, they all blink!
Since the system checks all the links every second, the TX light goes on -- I some times lie in bed and watch the room light up dim green color for a second, helps me fall asleep with all the noise the system makes.
said by Silicon_Freak:
Ahah! You got more stickers YAY! It is looking nice! =) Hope you get that com port working!
Are you referring to the yellow fiber optic stickers? The ones on the side indicate that its a multimode duplex cable, the trunk (pvc pipe) number, house #'s served.
About the COM port, still nothing -- well actually I had some other things to finish today so I had no chance to play around with it. Lets hope it gets working by friday so I can start testing the system.
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Plus Labs | AIM | Photo Forum | Optimum Online Forum | |
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drslash
Goya Asma
Premium
join:2002-02-18
Marion, IA | reply to Oxygen
Great work Oxygen! |
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drslash
Goya Asma
Premium
join:2002-02-18
Marion, IA | reply to Oxygen
Oh yeah, thumbs up. Come on guys...lets see some more thumbs up on the pictures. |
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DJMADfx
join:2002-02-27
Merrick, NY | reply to Oxygen
Would it be possible to run CAT6 along the utility poles? |
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sandonnash
Got Root?
join:2001-01-23
Ontario, CA
| reply to Oxygen
hey oxygen how much are you charging, and also are you limiting the speeds at all? or just directly connected to the burstable T3?
EDITED: I read your other post saying that yes you have the equipmen to be limiting the connections, now im wondering what speed you are offering and Do you give certain people more speed or less speed depending on price, also, I was wondering if you have different "packages" what are they and what is the price, just IM me if you dont want to discuss this on the forum or dont wanna talk about it, thanks
[text was edited by author 2002-04-17 02:12:04] |
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sandonnash
Got Root?
join:2001-01-23
Ontario, CA | reply to Oxygen
oh I almost forgot, does level 3 allow you to be hosting an ISP? I wouldnt think so.
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Sprint ION = 5650/880 Adelphia = 3300/122, man cable upload sux dont it? |
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briankeys
join:2002-04-09
Monroe, NY | reply to Oxygen
Very, very awesome |
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removed
Crisis Management Squad
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
clubs:
| reply to sandonnash
said by sandonnash:
oh I almost forgot, does level 3 allow you to be hosting an ISP? I wouldnt think so.
They do. As long as he pays the bill, they're cool. I asked Oxygen this a while back..
oWn3d
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irc.dal.net - #DSLr | AIM | oWn3d's Guide to mIRC | Broadband Photography! |
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removed
Crisis Management Squad
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
clubs:
| reply to Oxygen
said by Oxygen:
Here is a night time shot --- gota love the lights!
That night shot would really be something to look at when trying to sleep. Eh, Oxygen?
oWn3d
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irc.dal.net - #DSLr | AIM | oWn3d's Guide to mIRC | Broadband Photography! |
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13120635
Watching in silence
Premium
join:2001-01-03
Aurora, CO
| reply to Oxygen
We have an older CSU/DSU at work similar to the one you have that doesn't have that nifty "cisco" tag on it. It was made by a company called encore. Is this the same unit?
Nice setup by the way, very impressive!
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Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself... |
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Oxygen
Times Square can't shine as bright
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Nesconset, NY
| reply to DJMADfx
said by djmadfx:
Would it be possible to run CAT6 along the utility poles?
There is no need to run it on the utility poles. It's burried in PVC pipes. Would it be possible? I will probably need 'right of way' agreements from LIPA or KEYSPAN.
I have though out a very efficient system:
2 Multimode duplex fiber cables run to central boxes, or nodes as you might call them. There is a media converter that that changes it from fiber to cat5e. There is a 1" Cat5 cable connecting the media converter to a 10 port Linksys workgroup hub. then the cat5e's run from the hub to small pipes to individual houses. From there its up to the customers to what they want to do with it.
I currently have only 2 fiber ports available in the RMON slot, so if I need more then 2 nodes, additional equipment will have to be purchased, I might need media converters.
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Plus Labs | AIM | Photo Forum | Optimum Online Forum | |
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Nero534
join:2001-10-12
South Bend, IN | Awesome work there mate. But dont want to sound dumb but what is level 3 connection?? |
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