Telco DSL, what do we think?

[Xayd]

Southwestern Bell DSL subscribers have started a class action suit against SBC Communications, claiming that DSL speed isn't up to par with the minimum speed that SWBell guarantees.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1004-200...ne.ron.lthd.ni

Does anyone else have any experience with this? My results after a month of service have been sketchy with Windows at times, but on the Linux side of my box, DSL is rock solid. Consistent downloads over 110k, and uploads over 30k, all the time.

Anyone else find that high speed is great, but Windows simply doesn't support it that well? Maybe it's just me?

Interested to hear other's results.

Xayd

[yabuddy]

your probly having problems with windows or your network side of your linux box if its a solid connection on the dsl side. the dsl provider probly doesnt support multiple pcs unless you bought a business connection. i found tech support to be sketchy with ameritech. as far as speed they probly promised something, if your not getting it the suit will solve that.

[glc]

I think the problems with telco DSL all boil down to PPPoE. Using software (that requires Windows 9x and nothing else) to "log on" to a connection that is supposed to be "always on" and grabbing a dynamic IP is bogus in my opinion. The software that is usually used to do this (Winpoet) is total garbage. It can eat up to 25% or more of your bandwidth.

We have Telocity SDSL at the office. It uses a static IP and a router and is truly "always on". We are paying for a 416k connection and tests never show lower than 372k - average is 396k, close enough.

[Xayd]

I'm beginning to have the same opinions GLC. On the Windows side, all problems seem to be software related. The "modem" itself synchronizes with the host consistently and normally, but the PPPoE software locks up constantly, and has caused more than a few blue screens.

On the Linux side I'm using a simple script to connect, and speed is much smoother and more "constant" than it is with the PPPoE software from SBC involved.

Xayd

[cobra]

I think they all stink, since I can't get any of them, much less cable.......

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Miami, flee it like a native.

[chacmool]

I have GTE as my Telco. When I first got DSL I thought it would be best to have them as my ISP also.

I got rid of them before the month was over & switched to a different ISP.

Now, when I call for tech support (which, for my ISP, has been only twice in one year), I'm talking to someone who knows broadband...not an ex-line installer.

[Charliey]

Most of the PPPoE software that is provided is crap. Mine got totally messed up, so i got rid of all of it, and i got Raspppoe. Its only a driver, and it is great.

Get it from http://user.cs.tu-berlin.de/~normanb/

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-Charlie

[Xayd]

Heh, you're lucky to get an ex line installer chacmool.

SWBell's support techs are just crappy dialup techs. They know how to go through the connection wizard, and AT+MS=v34, that's it.

I actually had one suggest sending me new software when I called for the umpteenth time one night. "Would it be new software?", I asked. "No, just a new disk, worth a try", was the moron's answer. I didn't even bother to argue...just called back until I got a different person...

Xayd

[JubalHarshaw]

PPPoE is crap, totally ... if you can afford it, and the provider supports it, go with a bridged or routed solution ...

I would recommend avoiding the Telcos for DSL service if you can ... in the final analysis, you're going to be using their physical lines anyway, but ISPs tend to have better tech support ...

Check out dslreports.com ... great site, lots of great info, and the user reviews of the telcos will really let you know the story. Be sure to do your research regarding DSL and what is involved, understand the contract you will be entering into, and realize that in most cases it is a "best effort" service with no Service Level Agreements.

T1 service has SLA, is of higher priority to the telcos, etc ... that's why it costs so much. Just think of DSL as the next-generation dialup service ... because that is what it is and how the telcos treat it.

Have fun and best of luck!

JubalHarshaw

[Xayd]

You're right Charliey. I got RASPPPoE last weekend. After overclocking' my processor, SWBell software wouldn't install, gave a temp file error, and I never could find the file it was referring to. RASPPPoE works great, haven't seen a blue screen or speed bump in three days now.

Plus I can take screenshots of DUN reporting 10,000,000 bps and send it out to folks on dialup to screw with em, which is also nice...



Xayd