DSL modem recommendation

[markzero]

Hello,

Could anybody recommend a good, solid DSL modem that is supported nicely
by FreeBSD? An internal modem would be preferred but I would consider
otherwise. My main requirements are stability and a lack of any kind of
external management (I want my box to be solely in control, not a
proprietary web or telnet interface).

I have suffered for far too long with an awful DSL router/firewall that
goes down at the slightest provocation and offers no real
authentication!

Cheers,
Mark

--
PGP: [url]http://www.darklogik.org/pub/pgp/pgp.txt[/url]
B776 43DC 8A5D EAF9 2126 9A67 A7DA 390F DEFF 9DD1

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.0 (FreeBSD)

iQIVAwUBQhvdDqfaOQ/e/53RAQqwsg//SXHSSErsOOrI+fpf1LaWygclppkqxvee
kKMQWT6eMh6p9dCaPLAarECSlNZ9lASfFSIQVHlCD4LYzCBHWH Hg5lKMD0JvaH7W
Lu+X0yNVL2VpNiIGiw4cRujhVuhSH1OdktJD7N9zxp4AE3gYXl gvGTXGhihUa5BX
toWLG1N1zNEsLBQau4uRw899Bmq81k6AMAm2GcudFxbVfErHr/5zXEVKebPBz//B
JN86s0KuPSIEtc/N0avLH4OGZ1U7XAQmWEu0S3zBoUynYNgdOEUGaGdH49K7MwJD
/qEDgqITNSh/ustrm785JYQrQwgbsyoTaWapsIlALKLSYEPyKTYXK8cXwXvRzk KG
ezQw1sgo9l7R2TdHgEVslmyQKvtr+ziiW9f2GhimhZhBoFBTW7 JdlPWR6adJm5ge
d1P7KeAZP94jJY8p4CBNsN8JzPxWIHRt2CiMwsgfA65RJwa7+u o9Jbrowcenxfr4
0NOuGQJDalq3rlZuWpDcC53ipn15+hKA3SRyOSzBgiYoc1MiIe r6CQW44BmkcZl/
9SInw9bdrp1pwXEkUqILadVf6NtnG9H31fNhQzQcBssNAaCIoa 9w7up3X+H4fM8t
o5RyJHz/Lis3gxFs4GDMlz9RdvQWVayKgVQOJLdCT3JirXfbRxuqlgd1LQ uDt03V
0r6LkHabYkg=
=JmuJ
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

What is your DSL provider, what telephone company are they using?
Are you running bridged or ppp mode DSL?

DSL modems all use proprietary implementations of the DMT protocol,
while many will interoperate with different DSL providers and
DSLAMS, not all will.

Ted

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email]owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org]On Behalf Of markzero
> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 5:32 PM
> To: [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> Subject: DSL modem recommendation
>
>
> Hello,
>
> Could anybody recommend a good, solid DSL modem that is
> supported nicely
> by FreeBSD? An internal modem would be preferred but I would consider
> otherwise. My main requirements are stability and a lack of any kind of
> external management (I want my box to be solely in control, not a
> proprietary web or telnet interface).
>
> I have suffered for far too long with an awful DSL router/firewall that
> goes down at the slightest provocation and offers no real
> authentication!
>
> Cheers,
> Mark
>
> --
> PGP: [url]http://www.darklogik.org/pub/pgp/pgp.txt[/url]
> B776 43DC 8A5D EAF9 2126 9A67 A7DA 390F DEFF 9DD1
>

[markzero]

> What is your DSL provider, what telephone company are they using?

> Are you running bridged or ppp mode DSL?
>
> DSL modems all use proprietary implementations of the DMT protocol,
> while many will interoperate with different DSL providers and
> DSLAMS, not all will.
>
> Ted

Hi Ted, the relevant info:

ISP: Pipex UK - [url]www.pipex.net[/url]
TelCo: British Telecom

I am currently connecting to them via PPPoA (I assume this is what
you're referring to, I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be about
DSL).

Cheers,
Mark

--
PGP: [url]http://www.darklogik.org/pub/pgp/pgp.txt[/url]
B776 43DC 8A5D EAF9 2126 9A67 A7DA 390F DEFF 9DD1

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.0 (FreeBSD)

iQIVAwUBQhxTQafaOQ/e/53RAQoVRhAAvwFHFeVQTt23T9hSYKslPzslp+iOzPZa
SsrZd0Oew144ikk3CAfL0IQR7NvJkHURYYSAd1S7PJUeTzPqCb fkWtYNShVVfenv
Ka+DzSfCi4Gy42zxCxU0l17VwBqc0oldvVjQD+NLvCREDIQ3zv 03+QrJ7E8oP1AR
+qyfuzghsKgdjp+vci5RhhkG3anctBX0IRB20H77BEPlMLCgX8 lMuTT9jSCvG3be
JY5qH/+WVfa27xg+zekXVURqPc+Eir8VmQL+0CJOCgYxjUiEds2i9Cje uZxuQlFM
WRlICocjrtpixD9cRMgSZuVYo6Cq2b4HwGtmY7dNgNb4GWFAJF mUF82ISXlwFHO3
Ava3O/gatu7baMohQpOITa5Eqg6Q0kwAOlF3xO+lbZVE3AETgs/0tRfJEbz1wTyZ
WrFs+0u45+pGDIDwLPynoG27brmerairxDVjUHMVO6Cbr/mw4XEUFVMVzevReDQx
yPJPgNaskOGZPkKnTUcLBMBjwgBsys+lYIZZqp3bygoJdMm06q bdf9h9midn3woq
SPts7gcWihVm93QERc0Poq2S2FvgouqaleAqXNAH/p5owbkHioZdng4bAuIAg17Z
oQITnRbPKe7KdDQiDgCjDVmQHSGRttYT89vSVM0s3vX2oiF/J7TzuTQk6E80Ngb+
SujnJ3dPA3k=
=QbFB
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email]owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org]On Behalf Of markzero
> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:56 AM
> To: Ted Mittelstaedt
> Cc: [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> Subject: Re: DSL modem recommendation
>
>

> > What is your DSL provider, what telephone company are they using?
> > Are you running bridged or ppp mode DSL?
> >
> > DSL modems all use proprietary implementations of the DMT protocol,
> > while many will interoperate with different DSL providers and
> > DSLAMS, not all will.
> >
> > Ted

>
> Hi Ted, the relevant info:
>
> ISP: Pipex UK - [url]www.pipex.net[/url]
> TelCo: British Telecom
>
> I am currently connecting to them via PPPoA (I assume this is what
> you're referring to, I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be about
> DSL).
>

Hi Mark,

OK, pipex is one of those ISP's that doesen't give support to
non-customers
so your going to have to do a bit of legwork for me.

First, are we talking PIPEX Xtreme Solo, or PIPEX Xtreme Business?

Next, log into the Pipex support site for the appropriate service you
have:

[url]https://www.mypipex.net/solo/[/url] or [url]https://www.mypipex.net/solo/[/url]

and go to the support section on DSL modems. Let me know what the
DSL modem models are that are listed as supported.

If there isn't a listing there, then go to the online ordering
[url]https://secure.pipex.net/cgi-bin/products/xtreme/modem-mf-order.pl[/url]
and make an order like you are ordering another modem, go almost
all the way through then abort the order, and in the middle of the
order it should give you a selection of modems that are available
from them for ordering.

Lastly, if you get nothing either of those methods, CALL them at
0845 077 2455 / (0845 077 BILL) and ask for tech support and
ask for a list of supported modems. ALSO, very important, if you
do call them ask what the VPI/VCI the modem is supposted to be
set at. Usually 1/1, or 0/32, or 0/35, those are commonly used
ones. If you have administrative access to the modem you have
now, it should show this. Also ask them if it's regular DMT
issue or G.Lite DMT? Adminstrative access to the modem you have
now should also tell this.

Also, please post the modem model that you are currently using
now (the piece of junk one that isn't working well)

I need to get an idea of the DSL modem chipsets they have their
service setup for.

Ted

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

Hi Mark,

Well, looks like I was able to bypass that login thingie, here's
the info:

Settings:

[url]http://www.pipexsupport.com/main/pipex.php[/url]

Modems:

[url]http://www.pipexsupport.com/main/hardware/[/url]

>From the looks of it, they are using standard DMT issue, not G.Lite,

with the Alcatel chipset, VPI/VCI 0/38

This is a really good universal combination. Many DSL modems will
work fine. But there's 1 modem that I would strongly recommend
in this instance over any other modem:

Westell C90-36R516-01

Why? Here's why:

1) These are dumb bridged modems so they aren't interfereing with
your BSD box.

2) Westell has updated firmware and a diagnostic utility that
talks to the modem, and has a secret command key sequence that
will tell all of the good line stats (signal to noise ratio,
received and transmitted power, etc.) which are vital to
troubleshooting.

3) Since these modems were obsoleted and were used by Bell Atlantic,
there are tons of them on the used market for very cheap.

4) Other ISP's I've talked to have said these things are rock
solid reliable. I have never had one of them fail in service
for any of our customers either.

5) It has an honest-to-god Alcatel DSL chipset in it, not the
globespan which is becoming more popular (primariarly because
it's cheaper)

Now, note the following: if you have a very spotty DSL line, then
get the following:

Westell B90-36R515

NOT the B90-36R515-01!!!

Why? Because the 36R515 has a design flaw in it- it massively
overexceeds the transmitted power allowable for DSL - this is
why Bell Atlantic quickly switched over to the -01 model - that
will sometimes allow you to punch though a crummy line and
get a stable connection. But the downside is it's DSP microcode
is non-upgradable. You don't want to use it unless you have to.

Now because this is NOT a PPPoA modem, you must run PPP on your
FreeBSD box. The big advantage is that since your FreeBSD box
is the PPP terminator - not the DSL modem/router - you get a
legal public number on the ppp interface in the BSD box, which
means if you want to set it up as a server your in business.

The only possible problem is that these Westells were sold
only in the US, they take 24 volt AC (NOT DC!) and come with a 24 volt
AC adapter. But, you can just go to any junk store and buy
a 24 volt UK style AC adapter and cut off the useless US-style
adapter from it's cord and solder the cord onto your adapter.
(or use a voltage converter from 220-to-110) The adapter is
NOT AUTOSENSING so don't attempt to just plug into UK power
or you will blow the modem up.

The modem isn't particular about 50-60 hertz so no worries
there. I also don't think you would have a problem with
the UK/US phone line voltage difference either.

You also will need to change the VPI/VCI setting to 0/38 it
is normally 0/35, westell has a utility for that.

If you are a bit sqeamish about this, then looking at the PIPEX
recommendation page, go for a ZyXEL Prestige 630

STAY AWAY from ANY dsl modem that does NOT have an ethernet
jack on it!!! Such as the USB speedtouches that Pipex
was handing out for free!! There's a reason they are free!!
You can't pay people (who know anything) to take them!!!

Ted

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email]owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org]On Behalf Of markzero
> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:56 AM
> To: Ted Mittelstaedt
> Cc: [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> Subject: Re: DSL modem recommendation
>
>

> > What is your DSL provider, what telephone company are they using?
> > Are you running bridged or ppp mode DSL?
> >
> > DSL modems all use proprietary implementations of the DMT protocol,
> > while many will interoperate with different DSL providers and
> > DSLAMS, not all will.
> >
> > Ted

>
> Hi Ted, the relevant info:
>
> ISP: Pipex UK - [url]www.pipex.net[/url]
> TelCo: British Telecom
>
> I am currently connecting to them via PPPoA (I assume this is what
> you're referring to, I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be about
> DSL).
>
> Cheers,
> Mark
>
> --
> PGP: [url]http://www.darklogik.org/pub/pgp/pgp.txt[/url]
> B776 43DC 8A5D EAF9 2126 9A67 A7DA 390F DEFF 9DD1
>

[markzero]

> This is a really good universal combination. Many DSL modems will

> work fine. But there's 1 modem that I would strongly recommend
> in this instance over any other modem:
>
> Westell C90-36R516-01
>
> Why? Here's why:
>
> 1) These are dumb bridged modems so they aren't interfereing with
> your BSD box.
>
> 2) Westell has updated firmware and a diagnostic utility that
> talks to the modem, and has a secret command key sequence that
> will tell all of the good line stats (signal to noise ratio,
> received and transmitted power, etc.) which are vital to
> troubleshooting.
>
> 3) Since these modems were obsoleted and were used by Bell Atlantic,
> there are tons of them on the used market for very cheap.
>
> 4) Other ISP's I've talked to have said these things are rock
> solid reliable. I have never had one of them fail in service
> for any of our customers either.
>
> 5) It has an honest-to-god Alcatel DSL chipset in it, not the
> globespan which is becoming more popular (primariarly because
> it's cheaper)
>
> Now, note the following: if you have a very spotty DSL line, then
> get the following:
>
> Westell B90-36R515
>
> NOT the B90-36R515-01!!!
>
> Why? Because the 36R515 has a design flaw in it- it massively
> overexceeds the transmitted power allowable for DSL - this is
> why Bell Atlantic quickly switched over to the -01 model - that
> will sometimes allow you to punch though a crummy line and
> get a stable connection. But the downside is it's DSP microcode
> is non-upgradable. You don't want to use it unless you have to.
>
> Now because this is NOT a PPPoA modem, you must run PPP on your
> FreeBSD box. The big advantage is that since your FreeBSD box
> is the PPP terminator - not the DSL modem/router - you get a
> legal public number on the ppp interface in the BSD box, which
> means if you want to set it up as a server your in business.
>
> The only possible problem is that these Westells were sold
> only in the US, they take 24 volt AC (NOT DC!) and come with a 24 volt
> AC adapter. But, you can just go to any junk store and buy
> a 24 volt UK style AC adapter and cut off the useless US-style
> adapter from it's cord and solder the cord onto your adapter.
> (or use a voltage converter from 220-to-110) The adapter is
> NOT AUTOSENSING so don't attempt to just plug into UK power
> or you will blow the modem up.
>
> The modem isn't particular about 50-60 hertz so no worries
> there. I also don't think you would have a problem with
> the UK/US phone line voltage difference either.
>
> You also will need to change the VPI/VCI setting to 0/38 it
> is normally 0/35, westell has a utility for that.
>
> If you are a bit sqeamish about this, then looking at the PIPEX
> recommendation page, go for a ZyXEL Prestige 630
>
> STAY AWAY from ANY dsl modem that does NOT have an ethernet
> jack on it!!! Such as the USB speedtouches that Pipex
> was handing out for free!! There's a reason they are free!!
> You can't pay people (who know anything) to take them!!!
>
> Ted

Thanks for the recommendations and the detailed info! I will
probably give both a try and I definitely not be touching those
sorry USB things (I've recently been trying to get one up and
running on my friends BSD box and have pretty much given up
in disgust).

I'll be trawling eBay within the hour. :)

Thanks again,
Mark

--
PGP: [url]http://www.darklogik.org/pub/pgp/pgp.txt[/url]
B776 43DC 8A5D EAF9 2126 9A67 A7DA 390F DEFF 9DD1

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.0 (FreeBSD)

iQIVAwUBQhxq6KfaOQ/e/53RAQojHw//c5b9r7HDU1s5xlZ9QvC+gP3RXcMXJZ/b
CvKL0CnnY+tEgLChcENgPde+NRVrFoMZkMxJc71l0EoXHtP7wH NNqhNTXUojlVGO
XoUxXTaQNAm4vOE30h/C7Ap1mE9hQqdwgzl8grQbDB5BGtHgi6ipsfLbLSJ9ZvnW
skwj2A3VEgj3Yne8Vgfs0utkC9quLw/mdXbJxvZgiExo5dWLUHA6HEcSLUK/V9ys
myPJpG4GJolqV9SjvazqkxWKoqAljXOES1IYQG2sSkuP09VQ6L Me4me0ofjm010F
8AmKGRkkbJa4pl0CtXzme7lrQLuFUVmuxjkyStlZtN+MokNk0O 4Z7OEjkz7p6TbJ
eV5S1yvfy2RxVS1YEB+1gR3WIChhNOuV+UFhT58P+8ejcSUuq4 YqF2XhOt1nSBNU
cbYh73qBXIcONdnKEBJUfqiMuxoMnB5/yTBwt4847FENqwF2Q7IjYgMFgj46kxQZ
UHQdXCBsmey8BY6pe2/HU/bgE0vdsdCjylI4JP2flp0hNIFy65fdTjS0KzRNT0d/
xP9vDUq1nkgh+VfGU8+RqHxuRV0eVQPgBov9P5TiubCDRGLixd 11OWkpK/uXVSnJ
mSo/WeTwqxFfRKvyJRiU/sq6CY2lc6LJpIyNd9ZRUf9VJ3N1e6sR5UaPAD3IbnFr
SBCWRLxrInE=
=Z7lw
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

[Chris Hodgins]

[snip]

>
> STAY AWAY from ANY dsl modem that does NOT have an ethernet
> jack on it!!! Such as the USB speedtouches that Pipex
> was handing out for free!! There's a reason they are free!!
> You can't pay people (who know anything) to take them!!!
>
> Ted

What is so wrong with USB DSL modems? I have an Alcatel Speedtouch
modem that has been absolutely rock solid since I bought it on ebay for
£8.50. It was very easy to setup. I just installed the pppoa port and
set up the ppp.conf file and plugged it in. Takes about 30secs to
1minute to start-up on a boot but once it is running I have no problems
at all. Using it for my home server and I route all of my home network
traffic out through it. No problems at all.

Chris

>
>

>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: [email]owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
>>[mailto:owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org]On Behalf Of markzero
>>Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:56 AM
>>To: Ted Mittelstaedt
>>Cc: [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
>>Subject: Re: DSL modem recommendation
>>
>>
>>

>>>What is your DSL provider, what telephone company are they using?
>>>Are you running bridged or ppp mode DSL?
>>>
>>>DSL modems all use proprietary implementations of the DMT protocol,
>>>while many will interoperate with different DSL providers and
>>>DSLAMS, not all will.
>>>
>>>Ted

>>
>>Hi Ted, the relevant info:
>>
>>ISP: Pipex UK - [url]www.pipex.net[/url]
>>TelCo: British Telecom
>>
>>I am currently connecting to them via PPPoA (I assume this is what
>>you're referring to, I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be about
>>DSL).
>>
>>Cheers,
>>Mark
>>
>>--
>>PGP: [url]http://www.darklogik.org/pub/pgp/pgp.txt[/url]
>>B776 43DC 8A5D EAF9 2126 9A67 A7DA 390F DEFF 9DD1
>>

>
> _______________________________________________
> [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email] mailing list
> [url]http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions[/url]
> To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscribe@freebsd.org"
>

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Hodgins [mailto:chodgins@cis.strath.ac.uk]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 3:51 AM
> To: Ted Mittelstaedt
> Cc: markzero; [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> Subject: Re: DSL modem recommendation
>
>
> [snip]

> >
> > STAY AWAY from ANY dsl modem that does NOT have an ethernet
> > jack on it!!! Such as the USB speedtouches that Pipex
> > was handing out for free!! There's a reason they are free!!
> > You can't pay people (who know anything) to take them!!!
> >
> > Ted

>
> What is so wrong with USB DSL modems?

The USB port was designed for use with joysticks, keyboards,
mice, etc. Not ethernet speeds.

If you ever have an opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison
between an ethernet modem and a USB you will see your CPU
utilization much lower on the ethernet. Ethernet controllers
are far superior and efficient than USB chipsets.

Now of course, DSL is not high bandwidth (compared to Ethernet)
so there is that argument that it makes no difference.

Another argument is that if you have no need to run a server,
USB means you have to waste CPU on translation. Of course the
counter to that is that with a modem/router, you can't get a
public IP address.

And yet another is that if the hardware changes in the future,
a day might come when a new motherboard with a new USB chipset
is not detected and usable by some version of FreeBSD. Ethernet
your pretty much guarenteed will be around forever.

But, speaking as an ISP I can tell you the biggest reason
we recommend against USB for our customers - most of our
customers are windoze users, and if you put a USB modem on
their windows boxes, when they connect in, they get a public
IP address assigned to their Windows box.

And if they aren't currently patched (few 'doze user are ever)
within an hour their machine will be compromized by someone's
trojan and their machine will then become a menace and a problem
on the network. Our network.

We do not see the advantage to us to have a couple dozen
'doze users on our 1.5x1M DSL circuits, infected with the
latest virus and attempting to reinfect the rest of the
Internet. Maybe you do? Certainly the cable Internet providers
in the US seem to think there's an advantage, that is why
the cable networks all run like dog crap.

Ted

[Chris Hodgins]

Ted Mittelstaedt wrote:

>

>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Chris Hodgins [mailto:chodgins@cis.strath.ac.uk]
>>Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 3:51 AM
>>To: Ted Mittelstaedt
>>Cc: markzero; [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
>>Subject: Re: DSL modem recommendation
>>
>>
>>[snip]
>>

>>>STAY AWAY from ANY dsl modem that does NOT have an ethernet
>>>jack on it!!! Such as the USB speedtouches that Pipex
>>>was handing out for free!! There's a reason they are free!!
>>>You can't pay people (who know anything) to take them!!!
>>>
>>>Ted

>>
>>What is so wrong with USB DSL modems?

>
>
> The USB port was designed for use with joysticks, keyboards,
> mice, etc. Not ethernet speeds.
>
> If you ever have an opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison
> between an ethernet modem and a USB you will see your CPU
> utilization much lower on the ethernet. Ethernet controllers
> are far superior and efficient than USB chipsets.
>
> Now of course, DSL is not high bandwidth (compared to Ethernet)
> so there is that argument that it makes no difference.

I was just thinking that. :)

>
> Another argument is that if you have no need to run a server,
> USB means you have to waste CPU on translation. Of course the
> counter to that is that with a modem/router, you can't get a
> public IP address.

I guess generally most would not require to run a server so thats a fair
point.

>
> And yet another is that if the hardware changes in the future,
> a day might come when a new motherboard with a new USB chipset
> is not detected and usable by some version of FreeBSD. Ethernet
> your pretty much guarenteed will be around forever.

Why would I buy a computer with a motherboard not supported by FreeBSD?
I guess if we are speaking about the general user that may apply but
you could also argue the general user would most likely be using windows
and pretty much guaranteed a working proprietary driver. Of course by
the time this new chipset is out, Windows may be dead and FreeBSD is the
new ruler of the free world. You just never know. ;)

>
> But, speaking as an ISP I can tell you the biggest reason
> we recommend against USB for our customers - most of our
> customers are windoze users, and if you put a USB modem on
> their windows boxes, when they connect in, they get a public
> IP address assigned to their Windows box.

Yeah, I can understand why that might be a problem.

>
> And if they aren't currently patched (few 'doze user are ever)
> within an hour their machine will be compromized by someone's
> trojan and their machine will then become a menace and a problem
> on the network. Our network.

Indeed...bad user...bad!

>
> We do not see the advantage to us to have a couple dozen
> 'doze users on our 1.5x1M DSL circuits, infected with the
> latest virus and attempting to reinfect the rest of the
> Internet. Maybe you do?

You come across as being a very smart guy so why ask this question? I
am asking a general "why not USB?", not "USB modems are awesome and you
should all convert!".

> Certainly the cable Internet providers
> in the US seem to think there's an advantage, that is why
> the cable networks all run like dog crap.
>
> Ted
>

Well they have made there bed and now they have to lie in it. :)

Chris

[bob wifi hotspot n evdo wireless internet guy]

I know.. This is a google question... But anyone know the speed of
USB???

I am considering modifying our wireless modem pcmcia to usb instead...
X----------------
Robert Kim,
Wireless Internet Wifi Hotspot Advisor
[url]http://evdo-coverage.com[/url]
[url]http://wireless-internet-broadband-service.com[/url]
[url]https://evdo.sslpowered.com/wifi-hotspot-router.htm[/url]
2611 S Pacific Coast Highway 101
Cardiff by the Sea CA 92007 : 206 984 0880

>>> "Wireless Internet Service Is ONLY Broadband with Broadband Customer

Service"(tm)

>>> OUR QUEST: To Kill the Cubicle! (SM)

---Shalommmmmmmm--------------------
---------------------------------;-)----

[Mikkel C. Simonsen]

[email]freebsd-questions-request@freebsd.org[/email] skrev:

> Another argument is that if you have no need to run a server,
> USB means you have to waste CPU on translation. Of course the
> counter to that is that with a modem/router, you can't get a
> public IP address.

Of course you can get a public IP address. The standard ADSL equipment
here (Denmark) is a Siemens modem. You connect the modem to your
computer over Ethernet, and get a public IP using DHCP...

Best regards,

Mikkel C. Simonsen

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Hodgins [mailto:chodgins@cis.strath.ac.uk]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 4:40 AM
> To: Ted Mittelstaedt
> Cc: markzero; [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> Subject: Re: DSL modem recommendation
>
>
> You come across as being a very smart guy so why ask this question? I
> am asking a general "why not USB?", not "USB modems are
> awesome and you
> should all convert!".
>

Sorry. I'm just ranting. USB ethernet is an abomination and I cannot
forgive the morons in the industry that did away with RS232 serial
ports in favor of USB. Espically since I have tons of equipment I
service that have serial ports on them. Ever have the pleasure of
working with one of those USB-to-serial port adapter POSs?

Seriously, if what the PC industry had done was when USB came out, just
completely did away with the keyboard port and the PS/2 mouse port, and
tied those interrupts to the USB controller, so that the new PC
motherboards
required USB mice and keyboards, then I would not be so disgusted with
it. Instead, they just layered it into the PC architecture. I have
PCs here that when you put 2 nics in them, you lose one of the on-board
serial ports, and this is without even a sound chip in the system.

Ted

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email]owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions@freebsd.org]On Behalf Of Mikkel C.
> Simonsen
> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 3:56 PM
> To: [email]freebsd-questions@freebsd.org[/email]
> Subject: Re: DSL modem recommendation
>
>
> [email]freebsd-questions-request@freebsd.org[/email] skrev:

> > Another argument is that if you have no need to run a server,
> > USB means you have to waste CPU on translation. Of course the
> > counter to that is that with a modem/router, you can't get a
> > public IP address.

>
> Of course you can get a public IP address. The standard ADSL equipment
> here (Denmark) is a Siemens modem. You connect the modem to your
> computer over Ethernet, and get a public IP using DHCP...
>

Only if the Siemens modem is in bridged mode, and most DSL providers
ship these devices in routed mode, not in bridged mode. If Network
Address
Translation (NAT) is turned on, which it is by default when these devices
are in routed mode, then the IP address you get is a private address
handed out
by the Siemens modem, something like a 192.168.1.x number.

Ted