Looking into ADSL

Azgard · Nov 19, 2004

Ok this is kinda an extension on my thread about permanent connections, but since it's only about ADSL I thought it would be best to post in this section.

I just found out that ADSL modems only cost a few hundred so that makes ADSL a much better option for me. As a mentioned before 24 months contracts kinda but my grandfather off getting anything so if I can come up with something we can terminate with a months notice that would be good.

Ok now I get some questions. Are they ADSL modems that costs R300 - R400 any good, I mean I don't wanna buy something that won't work. It'll just be used on one PC in my house and then shared via ICS with my other PC. You can share ADSL like this right?

Now, if I do decided to get this how long would you guys think Telkom will take to install it and for my to get it up and running?

Regarding the cap, If I get this I'll be going for the 3gb shaped package from Telkom. Does the 3gb include downloads and uploads, and is there a local cap yet? Or is there gonna be one soon. Also I've read that after guys get capped they download a lot for the next however many hours and it still works and only after that are they dropped to a lower connection. How does all this work? If I get this I wanna make the most of it.

Also if there anything else I need to know about ADSL before diving into it?

Sorry if I'm asking questions that have been asked before, I did have a look and I didn't see anywhere where my specific questions were addressed before.

ic · Nov 19, 2004

Azgard,

I will leave the adsl specific stuff to the adsl guru's.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...ICS with my other PC. You can share ADSL like this right?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, provided the PC your adsl modem is attached to, has built-in ICS, e.g. Windows2000, WindowsXP, Linux also an option.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">after guys get capped they download a lot for the next however many hours and it still works<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
If true, my guess is that the nice folk at telkom only check if cap exceeded when you start a new connection, so the hours later could be when their connection drops (for whatever reason), so they connect again and find that the new connection has been routed via the snail trail. But that's just my intuition as a software devloper talking, so I will put my bulletproof vest on now...

Azgard · Nov 19, 2004

Thanks ic, hopefuly some ADSL guys will come give me some answers soon

I'll probably be using XP on that system, since it is my familys system and acts as my internet gateway so I can restart my system if I'm connected, I supposed that doesn't matter any more if I get ADSL since I'll be connected all the time anyway. Might run Mandrake 10 on it but I'm not expert as Linux yet so... This is cause my system refuses to install Mandrake 10 recently and when I do manage to install it there are some mouse/sound conflicts so... Need to find a 64-bit version of it somewhere.

From what I've read your IP gets changed every twenty four hours, so in theory if you reach your cap in the first few hours after your ip changes you will still be on the fast connection until they change your IP. Not sure if that's how it works but sounds logical to me.

Perdition · Nov 19, 2004

Regarding the cap, ALL traffic counts towards it, uploads, downloads, local and international. There is no local cap yet and I don't think there will be one now that there is competition looming. I wouldn't trust the theory of downloading in those last few hours after you're capped, you may just find yourself eating into your next month's bandwidth.

Azgard · Nov 19, 2004

Since all traffic counts that is actually really bad cause of programs like Bit Torrent

Looks like I'll have to find a nice proxy service or something similar.

Well it's just a theory, I'm sure guys who have ADSL must know more about it and can enlighten me on this subject.

mbs · Nov 19, 2004

This is not the definitive answer to all your questions, but I think they're pretty close to 100% valid:
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Ok now I get some questions. Are they ADSL modems that costs R300 - R400 any good, I mean I don't wanna buy something that won't work. It'll just be used on one PC in my house and then shared via ICS with my other PC. You can share ADSL like this right?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The answer is - it depends on the functionality that you want/need. From your posting, methinx you'll be fine with the unit found by nomie - see the posting at http://www.myadsl.co.za/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5628 . My recommendation is that you don't use a modem, but rather a router/modem, like the unit found by nomie. This way, you don't have to hassle with ICS - just plug your two PCs into the unit.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Now, if I do decided to get this how long would you guys think Telkom will take to install it and for my to get it up and running?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That depends on the area where you're located. Usually, they're pretty good with installations, but it can take anything from about 3 days to infinity, depending on the availability of ADSL-friendly infrastructure in your area. The best thing to do is to place the order, so they can come out and check your line and exchange facility. If everything's OK, tell them to go ahead - you can always cancel it.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Regarding the cap, If I get this I'll be going for the 3gb shaped package from Telkom. Does the 3gb include downloads and uploads, and is there a local cap yet? Or is there gonna be one soon. Also I've read that after guys get capped they download a lot for the next however many hours and it still works and only after that are they dropped to a lower connection. How does all this work? If I get this I wanna make the most of it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The current cap mechanism applies to the total of uploads/downloads and local/international, with no distinction whatsoever. Telkrap being what they are (essentially, a law unto themselves), there is no guarantee that this will not change overnight, and probably for the worse, if past experience is anything to go by. On the other hand, it's quite possible that the unreasonable constraints on the service will be adjusted for the better, due to the threat of imminent competitive services after 01 Feb next year. My personal opinion is go for it, just don't tie yourself into a contract - stay on a month-to-month paid basis.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Also if there anything else I need to know about ADSL before diving into it?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Difficult to respond to this one, other than to say it is currently the most economical and usable offering available (at this stage). On that basis, go for it...

mbs · Nov 19, 2004

Just read your posting about config difficulties on Mandrake, which shouldn't happen...<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">This is cause my system refuses to install Mandrake 10 recently and when I do manage to install it there are some mouse/sound conflicts so... Need to find a 64-bit version of it somewhere.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You using a mobo with a 64-bit CPU? If so, why? To my knowledge, the 2.6 kernel used with Mandrake doesn't have any issues with 64-bit processing - sounds instead as if you have some issue with the mobo I/O, or are configuring your installation incorrectly. You should check what conflicts are occurring through dmesg or the Mandrake Control Center...

Azgard · Nov 19, 2004

How much more expensive is a router/modem though, cause it just seems a waste to me to get one when I've already got my network sorted out fine and could just configure ICS since that isn't too hard. I really just need it to be a modem. I did have a look at the thread but it dealt mainly with router/modems, that's why I asked here.

I'll speak to my grandfather tomorrow and if he's ok with it I'll contact Telkom and tell them to come and check to see if I can actually get ADSL, even though their site says I can.

I'm using a MSI K8N Neo Platinum with a AMD 64 3200+ Clawhammer. At the moment it just locks up while scanning my drives in order for me to select where to install, I have a 200GB SATA btw. But before if I moved my mouse when I started playing audio, or stopped playing audio, my mouse would freeze, but if I moved it while the audio was playing it was fine.. weird. I'm still a bit of a beginner in Linux so I don't even knw what dmesg is, or the Mandrake Control Center. I don't have it installed at the moment so I can't even check.

I had the last drivers installed when it was giving me that problem, and the latest BIOS version.

mbs · Nov 19, 2004

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I did have a look at the thread but it dealt mainly with router/modems, that's why I asked here.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The thread clearly states that the unit is available from Cyberdyne at R450 exclusive. Methinks if you pay anything less for such a unit, you're probably buying sub-standard equipment...
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I really just need it to be a modem.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Can't comment further - I don't use a modem. The thing with such units is that they're usually USB, which has its own set of complexities. If you want to dabble with Linux, best to go for a router/modem unit. Believe you me, you'll have a pleasant experience...
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I'm using a MSI K8N Neo Platinum with a AMD 64 3200+ Clawhammer. At the moment it just locks up while scanning my drives in order for me to select where to install, I have a 200GB SATA btw. But before if I moved my mouse when I started playing audio, or stopped playing audio, my mouse would freeze, but if I moved it while the audio was playing it was fine.. weird. I'm still a bit of a beginner in Linux so I don't even knw what dmesg is, or the Mandrake Control Center. I don't have it installed at the moment so I can't even check.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think your system is not properly matched somewhere - either your memory has an incorrect refresh rate, or your SATA drive is running on a crippled bus, or you've overclocked something, or you're running hot resulting in bus inconsistencies, or something esoteric like that. Not much more that I can say about this, other than you should have it looked at by somebody with a real understanding of assembly (and that doesn't necessarily mean your supplier/vendor). Something else you could try - get another noobie-friendly distro (Debian, Fedora, SuSe) instead of Mandrake, and try again...

Azgard · Nov 19, 2004

Ok I must admit I didn't read a lot of that thread...

I would like it to be linux compatible so maybe I'd better look at a router/modem. Are the internal ADSL modems any good?

I did have my system overclocked when I had that problem but put everything back down to stock to test and it still gave the same problem. I reason I wanted to use Mandrake is before I was told is was the easiest to learn on, and one of the most powerful. I've trying installed Fedora Core 1 but it doesn't detect my drive

Azgard · Nov 19, 2004

Ok I lie, didn't even look at that thread, I did now and see what you meant, I just assumed it was a link to the thread that has a overview of a lot of ADSL router/modems...

mbs · Nov 20, 2004

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Are the internal ADSL modems any good?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Try not to buy any peripheral device that requires component support for its functionality from the mobo, other than interfacing to the bus channels. Internal modems tend to use the audio supplied on mobo audio chipsets for DSP signalling, for example. In the same vein, video controllers on some mobo's swipe working RAM for video rendering, and so on. Moral of the story is you should try and assemble an exclusive array of devices, unless the mobo is proven to be rock-solid by the community out there. Getting back to your modem issue, recommend you get an external router/modem device, like the one recommended by nomie apparently is...

Getting back to your system symptoms, the fact that Fedora can't see your hard drive tells me you have a system config problem - your BIOS settings are probably uniquely different enough to result in the situation that they're now seen as 'non-standard' by the install routines of the distro. You should check your BIOS settings for the HDD and try setting it on 'automatic' or 'default', then try installing Mandrake/Fedora. Like I postulated previously, though, methinks your assembly needs to be gone over with a fine tooth comb by a savvy geek, to make sure that everything's optimally matched...

Azgard · Nov 20, 2004

I never knew that about component like internal modems, I knew about the integrated graphics cards taking system RAM though.

I'm very hardware oriented and built up my whole system myself and configured the BIOS in a way so that everything is running optimaly, not at least it all should be. I touched my hard drive settings though.

Saying that, I know the most about computer hardware and networking out of everyone I know. Except for all the guys I know on the net though.

I'll play around with my BIOS settings and partitions and then try installing it again. Is it better to set up partitions for linux to use, or to let it set them up itself?

Nickste · Nov 20, 2004

Hey Azgard,

I recently installed MD 10, and it has quite a nice partitioning thing built in.

On the subject of routers/modems, I ask just one question: Have you got ICS up and running?

If so, much respect! If not - get a router.

I can never seem to get it going nicely.

Chow, Nick

Nick Smit
broadband@nicksmit dot za dot net

Azgard · Nov 20, 2004

Well currently I have my system in the lounge that my family uses. It's running Windows XP SP2 and has Windows Firewall enabled and another firewall for added protection. My ISDN TA is connected to this PC and the connection is shared. On my PC I'm also running XP SP2 wih firewalls enabled and I can use the connection fine here, so I suppose that means I have it working fine?

I spoke to my grandfather and he wants to wait to see what his Christmas bonus is anyway... I don't get it, it's not like he's comitting to anything by buying a R600 rand modem/router, or a R400 modem...

Join the MyBroadband community

Get started

Looking into ADSL

Azgard

Well-Known Member

ic

MyBroadband

Azgard

Well-Known Member

Perdition

Expert Member

Azgard

Well-Known Member

mbs

Expert Member

mbs

Expert Member

Azgard

Well-Known Member

mbs

Expert Member

Azgard

Well-Known Member

Azgard

Well-Known Member

mbs

Expert Member

Azgard

Well-Known Member

Nickste

Expert Member

Azgard

Well-Known Member