I have found a way of keeping my modem connected when downloading compressed
files such as tar files while connected by dial up to Telstra Clear's Lucent
APX remote access server.
On my Gentoo box I achieved this by throttling back the download speed with
the following ugly hack to my /etc/make.conf file;
FETCHCOMMAND="/usr/bin/wget -t 5 --limit-rate=3500 \${URI} -P \${DISTDIR}"
RESUMECOMMAND="/usr/bin/wget -c -t 5 --limit-rate=3500 \${URI} -P \${DISTDIR}"
Note the --limit-rate argument.
I speculate that Linux's eficiency at TCP/IP floods the connection and crowds
out PPP control commands. This fools one end into thinking that if heartbeat
messages are not getting through than the other side has disconnected.
PPP is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, so I may be talking out of a hole in my
hat.
Cheers Ross Drummond
On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 11:22, Ross Drummond wrote:
> Telecom have installed a new network access server, a Lucent APX, which
> terminates my dial up internet at the local exchange.
>
> Ever since when I use the http protocol to download compressed data such as
> tar files pdf's or jpegs the modem disconnects at the network access server
> end usually one minute approx into the file download. It also fails to
> issue the 'I am disconnecting now' message to my modem leaving my modem
> whistling away in vain trying to reestablish the data transfer.
>
<snip>
