How do I Configure an Efficient 5861 for Dial Backup?
This procedure submitted 10/14/02 Efficient has recently added a “Dial Backup” function to their 5800 series routers. This function allows the router to connect to the Internet via a modem when the primary DSL connection is down. It requires the addition of a conventional “smart” modem attached to the “Console” port on the router. You must also have a dial-up account that the modem can use and, of course, a working “POTS” phone line for the modem to dial out on. You can use the same phone line that is used for the DSL service, but for greatest reliability a different phone line should be used. (The documentation indicates that the router can also dial out over an ISDN circuit. This procedure does not address that alternative). Once the router and modem are installed and configured, all users connected to the router will continue to have access to the Internet when the primary DSL circuit is out of service. Of course, the bandwidth of the connection will be reduced to that of the dial-u
