Review

Baystack Instant Internet 100
by Nortel Networks

ByTerry Fong, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate

The Internet is an important or even indispensable tool for many small businesses.

Owners of such businesses often look for a way to give staff access to the Internet through a local area network (LAN), but in a controlled manner to restrict usage. The Baystack Instant Internet 100 offers one solution. It is easy to set up and reasonably easy to configure, although expensive compared to some alternatives.

The Instant Internet 100 is a squat gray box about the size of a hard-cover textbook that still sports the Bay Networks logo and name, showing its origins with Bay before the company was bought by Northern Telecom (now Nortel Networks).

Basic installation of the device is very simple: plug the box into a wall outlet, plug the RJ-45 cables into an empty spot on your hub, put the CD-ROM in a Windows machine and answer a few questions regarding your Internet service provider (ISP).

To utilize the full capabilities of the Instant Internet 100, you'll want to configure it through Microsoft Windows utilities. A minor problem occurred when attempting configuration under Windows 2000: an inability to correctly identify the network topology during installation.

When network topography is identified correctly, it helpfully fills in the correct IP address. With Windows 2000, it failed to suggest the last few digits of the address, a very minor problem, indeed.

Basic configuration can also be done using telnet access but Windows utilities will still be required for logging and filtering. This procedure will be familiar to those who have Unix or networking experience.

The functions offered are consistent with similar devices. For instance, Instant Internet 100 can serve as a DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol) server and can control user access. Internet access can be controlled in a variety of ways, including by time and day, news group, IP (Internet protocol) address or domain name. Sites visited can be logged. These functions can be configured for a group of users or for an individual user, allowing for a fine level of control.

Networks using IPX (Internet packet exchange), essentially pre-Novell 5 setups, will find the Instant Internet 100 is able to handle the protocol in a seamless manner. It can migrate NDS (Novell directory service) databases for use in its own user and group management. It can also serve as an IPX-to-IP gateway with no need to install IPs on any workstations, making it very difficult for outsiders to force their way in.

Following a trend that has become annoyingly prevalent, the set-up card is the only paper documentation provided. The CD-ROM includes well-linked PDF (portable document format) versions of the user guides, however. For those so inclined, paper copies can be ordered for all Nortel products through a third party such as fatbrain.com.
First released by Bay Networks in 1995, the Instant Internet 100 has aged relatively well through a series of updates that have continued under Nortel's guardianship.

With a price tag starting at $460 ($690 Canadian), it's not the cheapest or most capable alternative around, but those who covet its Novell or user control capabilities will probably overlook that.

Reviewer's rating: 2.75 / 5

Comments: The Instant Internet 100 is expensive when compared to similar products but will be appreciated by fans of its Novell integration capabilities. It's a viable solution for those who are on Netware 4.x (or below) networks.

Specifications: Unit comes with 4 MB RAM.
Option 1 (unit reviewed): one 10Base-T Ethernet port with v.90 modem
Option 2: one 10Base-T Ethernet port with ISDN modem
Option 3: two 10Base-T Ethernet ports

More info: http://www.nortelnetworks.com/products/02/datasheets/2985.html

Prices: $580 US, $870 Canadian (with v.90 modem)
$590 US, $885 Canadian (with ISDN modem)
$460 US, $690 Canadian (with dual 10Base-T connections for a cable or other high-speed modem, but not including the modem)