Hi Sluggers.
Today Conrad & I [WE] attended a meeting (1.5hrs) with Liz Norris
[LN] (Optus Cable Manager) on issues discussed below. Liz was
very interested in Linux and other OS's that could / can use the Optus
Cable Network and was very responsive to meeting "special interest
groups" such as SLUG. I had already had a 1 hour phone discussion
with LN the week prior to this meeting, but I felt until we had a
face-to-face meeting I should restrict its contents.
Below is a summary of points discussed and actions. Whilst the
outcomes may not satisfy you all it should be seen as the first
of many meetings SLUG hopes to have with Optus Cable management.
----------------------------------------------------
Q1. Why the restrictive "Server" definition and port scanning of
machines on the Optus Cable Network ?
LN - outlined the operational issues Optus Cable have with bandwidth
preservation. Currently Optus does NOT monitor bandwidth usage
currently (on per client basis - they do however measure per branch
(node) throughput). Currently @home users are given 400KB/sec++
download and sustained 128KB/sec upload capability. In the near
future, Optus Cable hope to offer a Business / Professional signup
where sustained uploads will be either 256KB or 512KB++ capability
(using a different channel frequency probably).
Optus Cable has the technical ability to throttle down & upload
bandwidth right to the end cable modem. At the present time branches
(nodes) don't utilise dynamic throttling (but that may change in the
future), and when bandwidth suffers, Optus Cable simply divide the
branch into another two sub-branches (tree like structures for you
CompSc. types). Optus Cable is also able to broadcast firmware
upgrades without user intervention. This will be important with the
newer "service" {sorry, I've forgotten the term LN used}.
Optus Cables' main concern IS maintaining bandwidth averages for each
user, given at times they can and do sustain some impacts. The
definition of Server was used as the contractural restriction on
users as (LN quotes >95% of users are Microsoft product based) the
only practical mechanism (initially) to manage (without greater
overheads) bandwidth management. Optus Cable work with their parent
company (Cable & Wireless) in the setting of these service options,
limitiations and definitions.
WE - Presented a "computing environment" whereby its not the port
services (aka Server services) that's important but the end user
keeping to a contractural spirit of not offering commercial services,
not operating bandwidth eaters like "Video over IP" or music ftp
servers, and limiting their usage to acceptable usage rates {whatever
that may be - we didn't discuss this emotive subject}.
The user should be able to use non-anonmyous ftp services (for
upload/downloading work & home files instead of having to do so on
floppy media), ssh shell service, web page server (because the web
page services offered by Optus Cable are basically static models and
advance users would mostly wish to use php/Java build pages), and the
like as long as the end user restricts themselves to domestic usage.
Newer games "servers" that cater for multi-players, is probably a
major service children {young and old - right Anthony!} will demand.
LN - Agreed that OptusCable see the internal home network as a big
development and they have no problems with Dad, Mum and a couple of
kids being behind a "service" that services their needs (aka
IP Masquerading). Incidentially, Optus Cable are currently looking at
integrated router/bridge unit for in-home use to actively
cover this developing requirement for MS users. Of course this brings
the "maintainence of bandwidth usage" problem to the forefront {but
maybe they intent to utilise bandwith throttling as Linux has}, and no
business solution(s) had been cemented in policy or management
viewpoints - its currently a work in progress.
WE - Advised LN that Linux utilises this same technology today (she
is aware of it) and Linux should be seen as a technically good thing
and not something that could "suprise Optus Cable management". We put
forward to LN that SLUG could actively assist any technical
discussion / disection that Optus Cable may require as well as the
end user concerns. LN accepted our offer, but stated that while we
could assist, Optus Cable may have to make decisions that the
Linux community and others may not accept. WE concurred its this is
always a commercial fact.
WE - Put on the table that the two major "upsetting user" actions
taking place are currently : 1> Optus Cable port scanning
machines, and 2> The mechanisms (Email & Letters) being sent to Linux
Users to "disconnect or else" statements. WE - put forward the view
that portscanning whilst maybe not exactly "illegal" in Oz, it
certainly is not "morally" acceptable either. It doesn't pin point the
persons that may be causing bandwidth loss, nor endear Linux users to
Optus Cable.
LN - Agreed that this is an issue. At present there is to be a new
definition of "Server" to be published - "its at the printers
presently - and will be on the Optus Cable web site next week". WE
asked for a copy so that we could provide our feedback and LN offered
and WE accepted an invitation to be involved with further
"streamlining" of the service / contractural definitions. Note that
LN stated that the soon to-be-released redefinition of Server will
not be the final revamp of the contractural arrangements, just a stop
gap measure.
ACTION - WE have been invited to meetings with Nick Coster [NC] @
Exite (the Optus Cable Product Manager) and WE accepted. Action to
include looking at specific "Server" services, and together with
other interested parties the contract definitions.
ACTION - LN to forward WE a electronic copy of the new arrangement
and for WE to correspond directly with LN/NC on resolution of the
major issues i.e: Definitions and services allowable under a end user
system.
------------------------------------------------------
Q2. - Why is Linux a unsupported product ?
LN - Optus Cable see the Linux option as being too hard to manage at
the end user level. Optus Cable only wish to maintain upto and
including the supplied Cable Modem. Everything on the other side is
the clients problem. Its just that Windows is plain vanilla, easy to
set up and leave the user to it. Linux is seen as offering so many
options, how can you get a installation techo up to speed? Optus
Cable have the same issue with Mac and other OS's. Optus Cable did
initially train there techo's on Mac equipment (Optus are primarily a
Mac shop by the way) but the techo's lost this skill as only a very
small % of end users had Mac's - 99% or so had PC's running MS.
WE - SLUG understands the commercial support restrictions that Optus
Cable see. WE identified the fact that Linux at the network layer is
very simple and that there already exists a very simple program
(DHCP client) thats easy to install. WE suggested that SLUG could
assist putting together a Linux CD, with the necessary DHCP client
{and maybe IP Chains stuff} s/w. LN was happy to hear this, and was
happy to take it further internally. WE suggested that a Linux
Support program would certainly attract new users away from the
Telstra option :-)
WE - also put forward that SLUG (and other interstate LUGs) could
assist Optus Cable in identifying local Linux support organisations
that maybe interested in offering such a "on service" to new Optus
Cable installations possibly over a 1-900 number. LN offered to make
available Web services for SLUG (and other LUGs) to post Linux
installation material. LN - to look into this arrangement further.
ACTION - WE will be meeting with Nick Coster (Optus Cable Product
Manager) during the overseas absence of LN over the next 4 weeks to
discuss Linux support further.
-------------------------------------------------------
Q3. When will Optus Cable be available to people who have Optus Cable
TV in their streets, but no Optus Cable modem services ?
LN - Current users of Optus Cable TV services will have Cable modem
services available by the end of next month. People with Optus Cable
in the street but they are not currently Optus TV customers can
except Cable modem services within 3-4 months (Sept' 2000). Interested
parties should again contact Optus Cable.
-------------------------------------------------------
Q4. When will Optus Cable be available to people who live in town
houses, flats etc., who currently are unable to have any Optus Cable
connection?
Probably never for Cable as most problems concern building
cable access and routing, and the distribution of cable to individual
units. Most body-corporates have indicated that they cannot afford
any connection. Were body-coporates indicated they could afford such
an installation, each unit owner would be required to sign up - aka
not very likely - unfortunately. All costs for distributing the cable
connection from the street port, would be the body-corporates and end
users (Not small $ by any standard).
HOWEVER - DSL (and ADSL) will be implemented to overcome such
situations. {DSL uses the standard copper pairs that currently handle
analog voice connections} DSL is forcasted to be implemented in the
very near future {I suspect < 12months}
---------------------------------------------------------
During our discussions, LN did offer to provide Optus
technical specialists (local and OS - when in town) to give
presentations at SLUG meetings - WE accepted and will be
requesting particular techo's where interest from SLUG members shows -
e.g: How does the Optus Cable system operate, and how is it managed ?
</brain dump>
So while this is a shaky brain dump, its pretty close to what took
place. Cheers, Grahame
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SLUG (Sydney Linux User Group) www.slug.org.au
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