[NTLUG:Discuss] DSL Question

[Elequin]

Jason Ferguson wrote:
> Greetings. I am currently on SW Bell's "cheap" plan but am 
> eyeing an upgrade to the plan with the 5 static IPs (oooo... 
> mail server). However, Im concerned about their price for the router.
> 
> Can anyone tell me which router they use so I can try to find 
> a better price? Or, even better, recommend a cheaper one that 
> will work?

You do not need a router for SWBell's static IP option.  They allocate a
/29 to you and usually use the last usable IP of the block on their end
for your gateway.  All you need is a DSL bridge such as the Efficient
Networks Speedstream 5260.  Then you simply set your computers up to use
the last IP in the block as your gateway IP, and their end takes care of
the rest.

Any DSL bridge that supports DMT (as opposed to CAP or G.lite) and does
RFC 1483 should work.  It also needs to be able to be set to a VCI/VPI
of 0/35.

Unless you plan on running a NAT network inside your connection, you
shouldn't need their Cayman router, nor the Speedstream 5660.  What are
they offering, and at what price?

(Also, make sure you waive their $200 "installation" fee.  They say it's
required for the enhanced package, but if you complain enough, you can
avoid it.  Their techs usually don't know enough to config unix/linux
boxes anyway.)

 - Eric