Maybe I'm a bit doff, but I find the configuration of the Marconi ADSL Router POTS a bit confusing. The Telkom 'manual' that accompanied the the router is laughable and, although I have found this forum helpful in resolving a number of issues, I STILL don't fully understand all the configuration options.
In an attempt to learn more about the functionality of the router, I phoned Marconi ZA's help desk and asked whether they had any documentation on router configuration. I was slightly bewildered by the reply - although on reflection it is typical of the way Telkom operates, and thus has a ring of truth about it.
According to Marconi, such manuals do exist in-house, but in terms of Marconi's agreement with Telkom they cannot be released to the general public. I was told that Telkom's stance was that as long as the router provides a connection to the internet they have fulfilled their obligation to their clients.
When I argued that Telkom's stance did not preclude making documentation available to their customer, the help desk rep mumbled something about 'stopping people running FTP servers ... errr ... hackers y'know'. He further explained that releasing documentation would lead to users inadvertently removing the firewall capability of the router, leaving them vulnerable to the aforesaid 'hackers'.
To be fair, when I argued that a simple 'connection' may not fulfill the requirements of all users and pointed out some specific issues I had, the help desk rep emailed me a couple of pdf documents supposedly dealing with these issues (which arrived with a covering confidentiality agreement). The rep made it clear that these documents were not available online, and that any further requests for documentation would be treated on a case-by-case basis and only issued if it did not violate the terms of the Telkom agreement.
It was also suggested that I scour newsgroups and 'hacker-sites' for further information.
Telkom's decision not to release documentation is idiotic and the reasons given for the decision are ludicrous. However, it's unlikely that anything can be done to change their policy. Marconi are only too happy to comply with these terms (as Telkom provide them with a captive market on which they can offload outdated equipment) so putting pressure on them is pointless too.
Where does that leave the Telkom client - shafted as usual ...
In an attempt to learn more about the functionality of the router, I phoned Marconi ZA's help desk and asked whether they had any documentation on router configuration. I was slightly bewildered by the reply - although on reflection it is typical of the way Telkom operates, and thus has a ring of truth about it.
According to Marconi, such manuals do exist in-house, but in terms of Marconi's agreement with Telkom they cannot be released to the general public. I was told that Telkom's stance was that as long as the router provides a connection to the internet they have fulfilled their obligation to their clients.
When I argued that Telkom's stance did not preclude making documentation available to their customer, the help desk rep mumbled something about 'stopping people running FTP servers ... errr ... hackers y'know'. He further explained that releasing documentation would lead to users inadvertently removing the firewall capability of the router, leaving them vulnerable to the aforesaid 'hackers'.
To be fair, when I argued that a simple 'connection' may not fulfill the requirements of all users and pointed out some specific issues I had, the help desk rep emailed me a couple of pdf documents supposedly dealing with these issues (which arrived with a covering confidentiality agreement). The rep made it clear that these documents were not available online, and that any further requests for documentation would be treated on a case-by-case basis and only issued if it did not violate the terms of the Telkom agreement.
It was also suggested that I scour newsgroups and 'hacker-sites' for further information.
Telkom's decision not to release documentation is idiotic and the reasons given for the decision are ludicrous. However, it's unlikely that anything can be done to change their policy. Marconi are only too happy to comply with these terms (as Telkom provide them with a captive market on which they can offload outdated equipment) so putting pressure on them is pointless too.
Where does that leave the Telkom client - shafted as usual ...
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