grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
 ·DSL EXTREME
 ·Millenicom
1 edit | Should I Pull the Trigger to get 7100k but PPPoE?
I just was checking if us po'folk who live where the sewer meets the sea could finally get closer to a modern DSL connection in a Crapizon service area.
Turns out we now can get a 7100/768k service for $49.95 if I am willing to live with PPPoE vs. DHCP (actually I have static but really don't need it or multiple IP addys). If I stay with a DHCP/static connection the cost is double at $99.95/mo...we could use the extra speed as we get almost all our entertainment online and have ditched cable for several years now...but two Netflix accounts and Roku devices make a 3000/768k service slow if we are watching something in different rooms on Netflix or Hulu.
So, having taken the long way around...has the PPPoE stability and reliability improved from a few years back? Not worried about setup or whatever that is a breeze, just if anyone is actually using that level account in a Verizon service area with PPPoE.
Thanks!
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houkouonchi
join:2002-07-22
Corona, CA
clubs:
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·DSL EXTREME
·OCN
·Pacific Bell - SBC
 ·Charter Pipeline
| Other than a slight amount of overhead PPPoE shouldn't make that much of a difference. I know some low powered routers might have issue with PPPoE at higher speeds but I wouldn't think only 7 meg would cause an issue on type of semi-new router.
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Chugging along on 2x 6016/768k DSL Extreme DSL lines and one 6016/768 ATT DSL DIrect line as well as one 16mb/2mb Charter cable line for a combined total of just over 32 meg download and 3 meg up (after overhead). yay! |
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Zak_D_H
Premium,VIP
join:2007-01-04
Salt Lake City, UT
·Qwest.net
| grumpy3b,
I have only seen a few issues with PPPoE for our customers. One thing I have noticed is that if you use PPPoE on Windows Vista you will want to Disable Internet protocol version 6 both on the LAN connection and the broadband connection (if you are doing PPPoE on the computer).
I have also noticed a handful of customers have had trouble getting DNS to work properly using PPPoE. This issue is easily resolved by just statically assigning DNS on the router or computer.
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Zak
Tech Support
DSLExtreme
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
| thanks for the input guys...if I do make the switch this is the best time of year for me to do so since it's sort of a slow-time work wise and the connection does not matter as much if something goes haywire for a day or so.
I would be using a wrt54g (I think it's a v5 but also have a v4 somewhere if I need it) The router supports PPPoE supposedly, though some comments I have read is the processor can get maxed out pretty easily.
Zak:
yeah, the DNS thing is my primary concern...I just don't want to end up in a situation where DNS issues arise periodically...since such issues typically are triggered when the "Critical Need Circuitry" kicks in when you REALLY need the connection to work... 
Also thanks for the Vista tip...we don't have any Vista systems yet but are getting a new laptop after the first of the year which will probably force the matter...or not if I wimp out and stay with XPP...
It's hard to resist the price since it is actually less than my current 3000/768 static connection by a few bucks...for over 2x the speed. But I just didn't want to shoot myself in the foot with the PPPoE. Sounds like it is fine...
I have the DSLX D-Link DSL-2320B which does support PPPoE. Will I need to make any changes to the device setup or does DSLX do that remotely for me?
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Zak_D_H
Premium,VIP
join:2007-01-04
Salt Lake City, UT
·Qwest.net
2 edits | The Dlink is a transparent bridge; you just need to login to the Linksys router and change to PPPoE and while you are in the Linksys you can statically assign our DNS numbers so you don't run into any issues where our PPPoE server doesn't assign you a DNS server. If you need any help with that send me a PM on a Wed-Sunday when I am working and I can call you and help you get things configured.
EDIT: On a side note I will be working the week of Christmas but I will not be here Saturday the 27th (my sister is getting married) |
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
1 edit | thanks Zak,
CONGRATS on your sister's wedding!! Of course you realize that only adds a BIL to deal with every holiday...hehehehehe...
I saw on the spec sheet for the 2320B that it has a transparent bridge mode after I posted. So, I was hoping that was how it was already setup. 
I am gonna go ahead and submit the change in a bit and see how it goes. Hard to pass on the extra bandwidth. And if something goes foobar I have my MBB backup...
have fun at the wedding!! And be kind to the Bridesmaids, remember it was not their idea to wear those dresses!
If I have any probs or more questions I'll PM ya next week or call support. thanks!
EDIT: OK, ordered...if I don't pop back for a month to say thanks, we killed the connection somehow... 
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Aaron M
join:2002-03-01
Monrovia, CA | I just pulled the trigger on the 7100/768 upgrade a few nights ago. Upgrade is scheduled for the 26th. I can't wait!  |
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
1 edit | reply to grumpy3b
I got my activation date of 12/29...and DSLX already credited my account with the difference in cost between the plans for the 29th thru the 1st.
The only details I need confirmed are what to enter into a couple fields on my router setup:
User Name: myUserID@dslexteme.com (yes??)
Password : my DSLX password...I know that one...
Host Name : DSLExtreme.com (????)
Domain Name: I have no idea if anything goes here
Just want to confirm that info to be ready in case it switches over before 12/29. I have found that changes almost always happen early...
EDIT: never mind I found the answers, I think, in the DSLX Knowledge Base here:
»https://www.dslextreme.com/Support/KB/Ar···id=10426
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Lanik
Lab-nik
Premium,ExMod 2002-03
join:2001-06-25
Bay Area
| said by grumpy3b  :Host Name : DSLExtreme.com (????) Domain Name: I have no idea if anything goes here These can be anything you want/like its only to identify your router within your network.
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"If it ain't broke don't fix it." |
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
| ahhhh...ok, thanks for the tip! I did read that all DSLX seems to need in the router is my ID & password. I suppose that is since they already KNOW the connection is mine and where it belongs but the PPPoE just needs tthe UID & password.
I realized it has been years since I setup any PPPoE connection and the router firmware has changed since then. Old and rusty, that's me!!
I keep an eye on the connection since Verizon (the actual line provider here) has almost always gone live with a change days before the connect date from DSLX. I am thinking tomorrow or Friday...I just wanted all my ducks in a row in case I don't have access out of the blue.
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
| reply to grumpy3b
COOLNESS....connection started it's switch over right at 2400hrs on the 28th/29th as promised. It took a bit for the line to begin working so I powered down the DSL device for about 45mins just to give it time...you know just in case.
But the PPPoE is now up and running pretty well to start. Speed depends on which testing service you feel is more accurate. Right now I am only testing at about 3500-3600/720ish using the tools here on DSLR. Testing on SpeedTest.net gives about 6500-6800/720ish...so who knows...I am guessing there is going to be a ramping up period for the next week or so...no matter I am seeing significantly faster speeds already. Still I want to see my DSLR speed test results improve over the next week and would be very disappointed if they do not. Time will tell but the switch was pretty much painless and so far (the past hours) has been stable.
Once I get some more concrete test results I'll post them so other folks might have a reference.
now I need to reconfigure my DSLR/DSLX line monitor for the PPPoE connection...I'll do that later this afternoon...now I need snooze time!
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houkouonchi
join:2002-07-22
Corona, CA
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse
·DSL EXTREME
·OCN
·Pacific Bell - SBC
·Charter Pipeline
| I would trust speedtest.net more than the speed test servers on this site. I have have never gotten over 10-20 megabits on the servers here even testing from gigabit where as the Los Angeles speedtest.net server gave me 500 megabits, the San Jose one 300, and the San Fransisco one about 250, so I know they are all on gigabit.
I would say give this one a try:
»ndt.dhspeedtest.com/
This is hosted on my server in Los Angeles, its on 100 megabits and has almost no other traffic on the line. It can probably deliver your full speeds and does the test for 10 seconds instead of sending/receiving an arbitrary amount of data. I believe it should be accurate (speedtest.net is usually pretty accurate as well though).
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Chugging along on 2x 6016/768k DSL Extreme DSL lines and one 6016/768 ATT DSL DIrect line as well as one 16mb/2mb Charter cable line for a combined total of just over 32 meg download and 3 meg up (after overhead). yay! |
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Zak_D_H
Premium,VIP
join:2007-01-04
Salt Lake City, UT
·Qwest.net
| I have also seen tests on DSLreports speed-tests vary significantly as well as come in much slower then the speed-test results from speed-test.net. Here is the actual sync rate of the modem. Looks like there is no ramp-up period.
Relative Capacity
74
84
Noise Margin
16
9
Transmit Signal Power
16
12
Attenuation
21
8
Bit Rates
7616
864
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Zak
Tech Support
DSLExtreme
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
| thanks Zak for the numbers....
I have to tell ya it was just that single first test which slower. I think it that was almost the instant the connection went live (I happened to be up because I could not sleep). Every test has been over 6400k download. That is well within that 10% overhead. Upstream is solid also...though it does test out anywhere from 400-720bps. Doesn't seem to matter which test service I am using the numbers are about the same...nice!
I am extremely happy with the service and am really happy I was able to move over to it...thanks for the help and the added info...
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
| reply to Zak_D_H
ummmm...Zak...there are a couple teeny issues I was not aware of with respect to the PPPoE account. First apparently there is no firewall on the DSLX side of the deal. Next, what about Port 25 blocking? I had having issue sending mail through my server....as in it won't go...
I just confirmed it's a port 25 issue as I change the SMTP server to the DSLX server and all went fine. A bit of searching and I found we do have an alternative port with our SmarterMail servers. So I in essence solved the SMTP issue. Thing is I don't recall being informed there was a potential issue in this area.
As for the firewall...eh, it was nice to have but I am OK for the most part. I will however review the settings on my router just to be sure it's as I had it prior to the addition of the DSLX firewall a few year back.
FYI, I looked for a link to request opening port 25 but there is none. Do people simply need to open a support ticket requesting the port be opened?
Just thought I would bring this up in case others might run into this issue.
thanks!
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fourboxers
Premium,Mod
join:2003-05-04
Scarborough, ON
clubs:  | This should help with the port 25 issue »https://www.dslextreme.com/Support/KB/Ar···id=10097 |
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·Millenicom
1 edit | thanks but just so ya know that link is OLD, as in REALLY OLD, info...from the OLD website. If you visit your setup in your account firewall settings page you will see you can just mark a checkbox to open port 25 on other types of connections. The PPPoE service does not seem to have that as an option as it is all greyed out with a red-letter note that the firewall is not available for my connection type.
but really thanks for taking the time to try and help...
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pace
join:2001-03-18
Santa Monica, CA
| reply to grumpy3b
Hey grumpy, how' you holding with the PPPoE? I'm on the same fixed IP situation, but I wish I could keep at least multiple IPs.
Are you missing them at all?
I have two different networks at home, but I'm considering combining them to save some money and if possible to get more speed.
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Never get into a pissing match with a skunk. |
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Zak_D_H
Premium,VIP
join:2007-01-04
Salt Lake City, UT
·Qwest.net
| reply to grumpy3b
grumpy3b,
I have been told that you can turn the port 25 filter on and off for PPPoE customers but the feature is not available to customers through the members section of the website and requires an escalation. The same rule may go for the firewall. I will try and get a more concrete answer on this. |
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dslx_gm
Premium,VIP
join:2002-12-26
Winnetka, CA
| On the specific network that grumpy3b is on, the port 25 filter can not be disabled. Clients that are on that network that need to use port 25 to send email would need to utilize our SMTP server. Alternatively if you prefer to use your own, you would need to configure the server to accept mail on an alternate port.
Thanks |
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