Newbie Help required

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi everyone!

I've been reading this forum for a few months now and it's been a great source of information about the broadband in SA.

Now I've decided to take a plunge with Telkom ADSL, Home192 package.

Couple of technical questions:

1. What is PPPoE software and do I need to order one from Telkom, or can I get a freeware/shareware which can be used with Telkom hardware.

2. What is preferable: USB or ethernet ADSL modem, and why? I have both USB ports and network card in my PC.

Thanks a mil.

Cheers

 

[martin]

1. Nope you don't need to order it.
2. I'd go with ethernet ADSL - much less hassle to share the connection.

 

[ClockworkOrange]

1. Nope you don't need to order it.
2. I'd go with ethernet ADSL - much less hassle to share the connection.

Thanks Martin!

What is the PPPoE software for? Is windows XP internal setup sufficient to get the ADSL up and running?

 

[arf9999]

Clockworkorange....

Are you considering getting the Telkom modem with a 24 month contract? Bad Idea!

I seriously suggest that you rather purchase an ADSL router yourself (about R500 for a good one) and go month by month with Telkom. That way, if there is a better offering in the future you can jump ship.

 

[Celemasiko]

PPPOE ist just a protocol of connection, which is used to connect you via ADSL to the internet.
It means Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet.

 

[DFantom]

What is the PPPoE software for?

PPP is the protocol which is used to dialup to the internet, i.e over phone lines. PPPoE is PPP over Ethernet which allows it to be used for ADSL, Sentech and iBurst type services.

Is windows XP internal setup sufficient to get the ADSL up and running?

XP has it's own PPPoE stuff in it so you should be fine. If you go USB you might need the modem/router drivers, but thats about it. Ethernet everything should be ok.

 

[ClockworkOrange]

Thanks All for your advice.

 

[stoke]

I think that the ethernet one is the better option.
If you're running WinXP, then you simply plug in the router's ethernet cable into your network card. Create a Dial Up connection. One of the options is PPPOE when you run the Dial-Up connection wizard. Enter login and password. Done.

With USB, you have to install strange drivers and it can become quite fustrating, but I've never actually seen somebody have problems with these drivers, so it's just hearsay.

NOTE: If you're using the ethernet router, you have then used one network card for your router. If you want to create a LAN, you'll have to purchase another network card. And then the fun begins, bridging the 2 NW cards, firewalling, proxying ...

 

[bb_matt]

stoke - if the ethernet modem is actually a router, you don't need to do any bridging !

A router is actually a firewall, so long as it's not running in bridged mode. (note, bridged refers to the router firmware software, accessible via a web browser, not any windows configs)

The router will also act as a switch for your LAN, you just need to setup all PC's that access it to the same network range.

If your router only has one ethernet port, you can simply plug it into a switch and access it via a browser to connect, or set it to connect automatically.

 

[arf9999]

When I first got ADSL, I started with a R250 Connexant USB modem. Took me about a day to get it configured correctly and working.

Recently I upgraded to a D-link wireless router...took me 5 minutes to be connected, and another 20 minutes to set up a full wireless network for my wife's and my notebooks (including security settings).

I would definitely recommend a router (wireless or not). Something like Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, Billion etc. (Everyone has a favourite).

-A

 

[stoke]

bb_matt - thanks, I forgets that they can also be routers.

 

[antowan]

Thanks Martin!

What is the PPPoE software for? Is windows XP internal setup sufficient to get the ADSL up and running?

PPPoE is built into Windows XP and very easy to get working. PPPoE stands for POINT TO POINT over ETHERNET and is a connection method used for hooking up to broadband services like DSL.

1. Hit START >>> CONTROL PANEL >>> NETWORK CONNECTIONS
2. Select CREATE NEW CONNECTION
3. hit NEXT >>> CONNECT TO THE INTERNET >>> SETUP MY CONNECTION MANUALLY >>> CONNECT USING BROADBAND SOLUTION THAT REQUIRES USERNAME AND PASSWORD >>>
4. Enter the ISP name...
5. Enter the username and password given to you by your ISP and

WALLA!

Connected.