::No to both, some give static, most want to give you dynamic, but it depends ::entirely on who the provider is. Some have software that only runs on ::fairly recent OS releases, so you would have to setup and run admin type ::stuff on a newer machine. Pac Bell is the local provider for me. Does anyone have experience with their DSL service? A friend of mine got his with static IP and connected his Linux network to it without comment from them but OTOH he has the maxxed-out-all-bells-and-whistles-beaucoup-bucks commercial setup. GTE is also in this area but I know nothing of their service at all. I tried looking at Covad this morning but their database server is on the blink and won't let me get information on local providers. ::What "is" a network server 500, and what is the upgrade (very unlikely to ::be worth $200)? A Network Server 500 is one of Apple's two ill-fated Unix server models. The 500 is a 132MHz 604e and the 700 is a 150MHz. They both run AIX 4.1.4.0 but people have been working on LinuxPPC for them. Mine runs AIX since I remain leery of Linux on the ANS because of the incompatibilities in earlier versions. My unit also has 32MB RAM (soon to be 80), 4x CD, DDS-2 tape backup and a 2GB HD that I may or may not upgrade (it's just me using it and I don't store much on the system). Apple dropped the line like a hot potato. A shame, since I love this thing, and everyone else I know with an ANS loves theirs too. The processor board upgrade is a 604e/200 (not the CPU itself but the entire board and supporting hardware). I don't think it's worth $200 either but that's what they're selling it for and I can't find one anywhere else. I'm not sure if I can just rip the 604e/132 off the board and put in a /200, though. -- ----------------------------- personal page: http://www.armory.com/~spectre/ -- Cameron Kaiser * Point Loma Nazarene University * ckaiser(a)ptloma.edu -- Neckties strangle clear thinking. -- Lin Yutang ----------------------------