Re: [WinMac] Cable vs DSL (combined reply)

From: Darryl Lee (lee[at]darryl.com)
Date: Thu Jan 16 2003 - 17:26:28 EST

  • Next message: Lic. José Miguel León Franco: "RE: [WinMac] Cable vs DSL"

    Tom wrote in response to his original query:
    >> DSL often requires using PPPoE which is like doing dial-up authentication
    >> over your broadband connection. I would find that to be a nuisance.
    >>
    > You lost me here. I thought the DSL is always on, much like a network
    connection
    > one would have at the office.

    PPPoE is "Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet". It requires special
    software to
    be installed on your machine that "dials-in" and authenticates you everytime
    you want
    to use the net. It goes really fast, since it's over Ethernet, but it is an
    added nuisance
    and often mucks with the TCP/IP stack, which is bad if you say, want to use
    a VPN
    client that also mucks with the TCP/IP stack.

    The general consensus seems to be that ISPs/LECs use PPPoE to make better
    use
    of their IP space, or for accounting purposes. Of course most techies think
    this is
    pretty much BS, since you can log plenty of information (and make fair use
    of IP space)
    using DHCP.

    But don't let PPPoE be a deal-breaker (unless you're intending to run any
    kind of web,
    mail, or FTP server, which is probably a violation of most service
    agreements anyways,
    but are sometimes fun/necessary to play with or test). Many of the new
    broadband
    router/gateway/firewall products support PPPoE out of the box. They handle
    the
    login process, and your Mac doesn't require any configuration except "obtain
    address
    automatically." (The routers do DHCP too.)

    >> On my
    >> service, my IP assigned by DHCP almost never changes unless I change
    >> machines. I think DSL DHCP servers are usually set to frequently assign
    >> different IPs which makes it harder to use a home machine as a server.
    >> There's also the fact that you have to put filters on all your phone
    lines
    >> which are *not* connected to the DSL modem and I understand that some
    >> devices (phones, faxes) don't work with the filters.
    >
    > They did say something about filters. I'm assuming that keeps the digital
    signal from
    > blowing out your analog telephone devices?

    I don't think it'll blow out anything. Just be really annoying. You'd be
    hearing white
    noise/digital garbage on the line, I believe.

    --Darryl

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