[NTLUG:Discuss] High speed access.

[Wayne Dahl]

On Sun, 2003-03-09 at 22:04, Tim Riker wrote:
> define "won't allow" a bit more. DO they kick you if they find a web 
> server? Do they block ports? etc.
> 
> There are a lot of official policies that don't allow server services, 
> but many of them are only enforced if there are bandwidth issues.
> 
> I run a DNS server and a number of virtual hosts. None of these are 
> commercial, and none are high traffic.
> 
> The DNS server does require a fixed IP address. I have others that would 
> run it form me, but I'd prefer to continue running it myself.

I *used* to have attbi when they bought out TCI that I had before the
sale...the Internet version was then @Home.com.  Never had any trouble
with @Home.com...had nothing BUT trouble after AT&T started changing all
the hardware to *their* configuration and my bandwidth went down.  My
connections were always going down, so much so, that after about 4
months and having 4 service calls to my house in one month, I fired them
and went back to a dial-up until I moved into the house I now have with
DSL.

And yes, they do NOT want you running any servers on their network.  I
used to run software firewalls (Conseal firewall on Win 95 and Win 98
boxes) and would see packets coming from AT&T snooping for email, web,
ftp servers, etc.  The firewall blocked the packets because I
blacklisted the port scanners AT&T were using.  I was not running a
server of any kind, but it also torqued me off that they were snooping
for them.  I figured that I was paying for the bandwidth and could do
with it as I pleased, but their TOS didn't allow for it.

And speaking of attbi, that's going the way of the dinosaur.  AT&T bit
off more than they could chew when they bought the cable companies,
started offering Internet services, local phone services with wireline
and fixed wireless (yes, you heard me right...fixed wireless.  They
couldn't get it to work and Verizon, who I work for, got a lot of
customers back that AT&T had lured away with promises they couldn't
deliver on), etc.  The new company is now Comcast as they've bought the
old ATT broadband cable and internet service areas, at least here in the
D/FW area.

I had a bad experience with AT&T and will have nothing to do with them. 
I bought a satellite for tv and have never been happier...use DSL for
Internet, same.  I had double billing problems with AT&T (they owe me
$450 I'll never see) and finally had to cancel a bank draft to keep them
from getting any more from me which also cost me at the bank.  I'm glad
to see them go and hope Comcast will be a better provider, but I'm
sticking with my satellite (after a bad storm last year, my satellite
went out with the rain fade, but was back 30 minutes later...my
brother-in-law's cable was out for 4 days!) and my DSL.

My 2 cents worth (not that anyone asked for it).

Wayne