Some DSL Questions

[chopin1810]

I know this isn't really the right forum to be asking this in, but I will anyway. I'm probably going to get DSL service soon, but I have these questions to ask before I do. I'm going to sign up for Earthlink, since I've had good dialup experience with them in the past (they weren't restrictive like AOL or anything) and, well, they're the only DSL provider that covers my area. And the only high speed provider for that matter.
1.) I'm nervous that some hokey technician is gonna have to come over to my house and mess some stuff up. Do DSL companies make you go with the tech, or can you just install the hardware yourself?
2.) Are all DSL modems compatible with Linux? Are there any brands you recommend? I'm assuming that the ISP won't make me use their modem, which I know AOL does.
3.) Is all DSL service compatible with Linux? In other words, will I be able to log on using Linux?

[genesus]

I know this isn't really the right forum to be asking this in, but I will anyway. I'm probably going to get DSL service soon, but I have these questions to ask before I do. I'm going to sign up for Earthlink, since I've had good dialup experience with them in the past (they weren't restrictive like AOL or anything) and, well, they're the only DSL provider that covers my area. And the only high speed provider for that matter.
1.) I'm nervous that some hokey technician is gonna have to come over to my house and mess some stuff up. Do DSL companies make you go with the tech, or can you just install the hardware yourself?
2.) Are all DSL modems compatible with Linux? Are there any brands you recommend? I'm assuming that the ISP won't make me use their modem, which I know AOL does.
3.) Is all DSL service compatible with Linux? In other words, will I be able to log on using Linux?

I've used DSL quite a bit in the past and from my experiences...

1) I used Verizon and they just shipped the dsl modem to me and let me install it myself...very simple procedure
2) I don't think that all dsl modems are campatible; howerver, if you get one that is not, simply run it through a 20$ netgear, or whatever, router, the router will work with the modem and your comp will work with the router
3) you'll have no problems logging on as long as you use a router. Plus you shouldn't have to logon. I used DSL for over a year and was never logged off, it works like a permanent network connection such as a T1 or so.

If you possibly can though, I recommend cable...my same speed cable connection blows the pants off my old dsl connection...

good luck

[AlexK]

1. I don't know about in the US, but here in Australia in order to save $$, the customer has the option of installing the equipment theirself.

2. I'd recommend you get a dsl modem which connects via an ethernet port to reduce any problems you may have with drivers and such. If you want to share the connection with family, invest in a decent modem/router/firewall solution.

3. You will just have to set it up yourself. Most ISP's don't support Linux, but some do. In any case, make sure that they don't try to connect through some 3rd party client like AOL.

[oz]

My DSL account is with Earthlink, and I've been very happy with it.

I setup all the hardware myself and didn't install any of their software. Nobody had to come out to do anything. Never had any problems running it on any Linux distro.

Hope this helps...

[chopin1810]

ozar, thanks for the endorsment, since Earthlink is what I'm getting anyway...

[chopin1810]

2) I don't think that all dsl modems are campatible; howerver, if you get one that is not, simply run it through a 20$ netgear, or whatever, router, the router will work with the modem and your comp will work with the router

Tell me more about the router. I'm not too up on broadband workstation networking, so you'll have to tell me about this.

If you possibly can though, I recommend cable...my same speed cable connection blows the pants off my old dsl connection...

Nope. Comcast hasn't come to town yet.

[genesus]

buy a router

hook up modem to the line

hook up ethernet cable from modem to your router

hook up ethernet cable from your router to your pc

routers are a must, especially if you want more than one computer connected at a time, also their port forwarding tools make running a server extremely simple to setup...really there is not any more to it than that, other than having to cycle the power every so often, which is not that often any more.