Need ADSL - basic questions

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SecretCode

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Hope someone can help a beginner with some technical questions.

Background: I'm in Randburg and I currently use dial-up and regularly get 50K with the Infinitcall price plan. The line drops all the time in bad weather so the Infinitcall deal is kind of useless. I want an always-on connection and I could certainly use more bandwidth, but not much more.

Assume I'll go ADSL.

* I can buy the whole thing from Telkom, or I can buy hardware, line and service from different places - correct?

* I need an ADSL "modem" and a suitable router - correct? Or is the "modem" only supplied by Telkom? What would be the best router to get? - I want to connect 2 PCs at home to it, and ideally one would be via wireless (different room) - I reckon I need PPPoE and NAT on the router. It would be great if the router could work over dial-up if ADSL was down or I moved or whatever, but that's not essential.

* Both machines run Windows XP. Any other software or hardware I need to plan for?

* If I get ADSL from IS how does it work? The physical wire is still Telkom's surely?

* Can I do any of the install work myself and save installation fees? I don't know much about ADSL but I can configure a router and tweak a windows system.

I think that will do for now. :)
 
I emailed budgetadsl.co.za the helped get my modem as well as telkom line and account, speak to a guy called neil. 011 8867627
 
Thanks for the pointer. Are there hidden catches with using a non-Telkom ISP? Other than the possibly different level of customer service!

I should also have mentioned that I can't possibly read all the stuff that gets posted here, so if some of my questions are covered in some existing threads feel free to direct me.
 
SecretCode said:
* I can buy the whole thing from Telkom, or I can buy hardware, line and service from different places - correct?

* I need an ADSL "modem" and a suitable router - correct? Or is the "modem" only supplied by Telkom? What would be the best router to get? - I want to connect 2 PCs at home to it, and ideally one would be via wireless (different room) - I reckon I need PPPoE and NAT on the router. It would be great if the router could work over dial-up if ADSL was down or I moved or whatever, but that's not essential.

* Both machines run Windows XP. Any other software or hardware I need to plan for?

* If I get ADSL from IS how does it work? The physical wire is still Telkom's surely?

* Can I do any of the install work myself and save installation fees? I don't know much about ADSL but I can configure a router and tweak a windows system.

I think that will do for now. :)
Click to expand...


1. Don't do any contracts with telkom... Its a rip off. And the modem that u would get with the contract is shocking. Reather buy one from rectron or some other PC store.

2. U can get a better ISP than telkomISP, no catches for now and u can get 30 gig accounts (will/may fall away 1 november) .

3 If latencey is a big thing get a ISP on the SAIX backbone, or IS should be fine.

4. Basically u get your isp account with a username & password. U put the username and password into the modem and connect the modem to the phone line (after telkom has set it up for ADSL at the exchange and told u they have done and activated it). Once u done that is done, should all work, baring some network setting for your LAN. The router sends the username to a main server that knows where to send your connection to, to connect to the IS network (or which ever one u choose in the end).

5.I got a linksys modem has 4 ethernet ports and wireless, works great for me +- R700.

6. There is a telkom self install so u don't have to pay for the install costs.

7. Look at spending R500 -R1000 once off and then R400 - 1000 per month depending on what line speed u want and what type of account u want.
 
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SecretCode said:
I should also have mentioned that I can't possibly read all the stuff that gets posted here, so if some of my questions are covered in some existing threads feel free to direct me.
Click to expand...
Lewstherin wrote an excellent post thats currently a sticky on this very forum area. http://www.mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=24418 - if you cant find the time to read them all then this one covers most aspects.:)
 
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