At 1:12 pm -0400 5/2/02, David W. Fenton wrote:
>The way around that is to tell them you are using the router for the
>minimal firewall protection that it's NAT features give you.
{...}
>This is a valid configuration, one computer connected to a router,
A very valid configuration. I would never let my computers spend more
than a few minutes on a broadband connection without a router; one
computer or many. (I find trace-routing my attempted-penetration logs
fascinating.)
Still, if you call tech support and admit that you have a router
(even when you _know_ that the problem is exterior to the premises --
like a sudden failure of the modem to achieve sync), the first thing
the tech will tell you to do is rip out the router and boot using the
software that they sent you. I probably overemphasized the "do not
tell" rule, but I never call tech support for problems that aren't
clearly external. I figure that if they can't write software that
will even do an install on my machine (true story), I have a better
chance of diagnosing and fixing anything on my side of the modem.
>and does not violate the terms of service of any of the major
>broadband providers (so far as I'm aware). If it *does* violate
>their terms, then you should seek a different provider.
Sadly this _may_ not be true, at least for some of the pieces of the
old @Home network. Comcast, in particular, has been vague about
whether or not routers are allowed and what they think the terms of
service really say about the issue. They're getting a reputation for
hassling customers with routers and trying to sell them multiple
accounts or "business" accounts. Seeking a different broadband
provider isn't an option in most markets: you're lucky if you have
one DSL provider and one cable provider.
> > 1) When you initially sign on to your DSL service you may find it
>> easier (maybe _much_ easier) to connect your DSL modem directly to
>> your computer and later (after you have established your permanent
> > user name and password) transfer that information to the router.
{...}
>Again, I recommend against this. I have set up literally dozens of
>clients, with RoadRunner Cable, Optimum Online Cable, Earthlink DSL
>and Verizon DSL, and I have not installed any of the software
>provided.
I should clarify that I have two ISPs: a dial-up ISP which was
recently bought out by EarthLink and a DSL ISP (which is Southwestern
Bell). Since software issues on both overlapped I didn't figure it
was worth confusing the original post with too much personal detail.
I haven't installed the new software from EarthLink and don't intend
to if I don't have to, but it may be required to establish the
multiple mailboxes that they promise.
The SW Bell DSL was a different story. Because of the way you access
the server during your initial contact, and then change your user
name to its permanent value, I am not sure that you can do the
necessary setup operations without installing at least part of their
software. After I made the initial contact I wiped their software and
set up the router with no problem. I have another setup to do this
week when we get DSL at the office and I am going to try it using the
router and ignoring their software. I think I have figured out a way
to make that work by altering the router's parameters in mid session.
>In short, start out *not* installing the software, and do so only if
>you can't get it to work otherwise.
This is _excellent_ advice and I wish that I had thought to include
it in my original post. The only caveat that I would add would be: If
you didn't set it up exactly the way the ISP's instructions said to,
don't call tech support until you have tried it their way.
And, at all costs, protect your permanent operating system from their
software by using a dummy system so that you can get rid of their
software once you have your router and your normal internet software
working properly.
Best wishes,
-=-Dennis
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