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b_p_smith
join:2002-02-13
 ·RipNet
| Re: RipNET Wireless Broadband I've been on RipNet wireless pretty much since Day 1.
The bottom line is that it mostly works well, but has issues every now and then. And being a small company they don't exactly have top-talent IT folks on board.
Case in point, early last week they had a mail server problem that caused all incoming/outgoing mail to be stuck in the queue. The "fix" was to nuke the queue, meaning all outgoing mail was lost. That's bad enough, but even when I called them on it they didn't have the courtesy to confess to their customers that 12+ hours of their outgoing e-mail was never going to reach its destination. My wife had sent out a resume for a job posting that day, and if I hadn't figured out what had happened she'd wonder why she never heard back.
For a long time they had serious speed issues, but of late it's been pretty solid, giving me a bandwidth at or slightly over what I'm spec'ed for.
They block ports 80 & 25 in to prevent standard servers. But non-standard ports aren't blocked. Maximum monthly bandwidth depends on the plan you pay for, with the base plan (1Mbit down, 256kbit up) is 10Gig/month. I seem to recall it's $10/Gbit after that.
They use a 3.5GHz licensed frequency, so no interference from anything like the 2.4GHz systems, and the range is pretty good (of course, you need line-of-sight). Hardware is comprised of a specialize antenna (about the size/shape of a personal pan pizza box) which down-converts to standard cable frequencies, so they can use a standard cable modem at the bottom. So if you dump them, you're stuck with a useless antenna but at least the modem can be used on a cable system.
The only thing is that as an amateur radio operator, I set certain minimal standards for antenna installations, and they don't come close. The number of places around here with tripods screwed into roofs with 20ft masts sticking out is scary. Sure the wind-loading of the antennas is low, but it ain't zero. Unless you have *clear* line of sight to the tower, you might want to wait until Spring when the leaves are all out. Most winter installs (including myself originally) are fine until the foliage pops out, and then need a re-visit to move/raise the antenna.
I don't recommend the "rental" option for the hardware because then you need to sign a 3-year contract. I found that over 3 years I didn't really save any money, and had no options if they really pissed me off and I wanted to jump.
Brad.
P.S. PM me your location and I might be able to give specific site advice before you get the survey done.
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RipNet (wireless) -} WinXP -} WinProxy 4 -} LinkSys BEFSR81 -} about 8 machines running 98/2003/XP/CE | |
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WirelessPlz
join:2004-08-11
canada
·Bell Sympatico
| Re: RipNET Wireless Broadband I really appreciate the reply Brad , and all the useful information.
Some of the things you said didn't match what I was told when I called them up though(or saw on their Website).
They told me it's 2mb/256k. As far as the transfer limit, I did not ask, but the Website states 5gb(that's a huge bummer for me, I like to download a lot, even on dialup).
I also was not told that the rental option forces you to a 3 year contract. I'll talk to them when they come do the site survey, to clear things up.
As far as my location, I live outside Morewood(in between Morewood and Marionville) way up on a hill  .
oh, last thing, I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I do play games once in a while when I have the time. What kind of ping times should I be expecting ?
thank you again
-Jean | |
| | b_p_smith
join:2002-02-13
·RipNet
| Re: RipNET Wireless Broadband They keep messing around with the plans. They used to have more plan options and the one I'm on is no longer listed. The base plan used to be 1Meg/256k and 10Gig/month. Looks like they went for faster but less download.
Frankly, I'd be *hugely* surprised if you'd get line-of-sight from where you are. There are some hills between you and the tower just south of Kemptville. Unless you're really really lucky, expect talk of a tower. But if you're on top of a hill, that'll help.
I can't really speak to gaming performance, but I use VPN into work regularly and it's solid. I know of some VOIP users who have not complained of any packet loss. That implies reasonable ping times, but if there's a specific test you'd like me to try, lemme know.
You are aware that Storm supposedly has coverage in your area. I thought they had a tower in Winchester now. The company is a PITA to deal with, but you might want to keep that option open.
There's also a new wireless service in the early stages south of Ottawa, but I don't think they're operational yet.
Country living. You gotta love it.
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RipNet (wireless) -} WinXP -} WinProxy 4 -} LinkSys BEFSR81 -} about 8 machines running 98/2003/XP/CE | |
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WirelessPlz
join:2004-08-11
canada
·Bell Sympatico
1 edit | Re: RipNET Wireless Broadband I would also be quite suprised if I can get LOS.
What's keeping my hopes up, is that they apparently have some Morewood customers(don't ask me how they get LOS, but obviously they do).
I am aware of Storm. They have a tower up in Russell, which is close to my place, but unfortunately for me, I would need to install a tower due to a huge tree in between my house and the Russell water tower(I can see the water tower at this time of year, but when folliage kicks in, it's a different story).
They even have a Point-to-Point connection setup in Morewood that gets feed from the tower in Embrun, but it's only in LOS to closest neighbours. So bummer for me on that one as well.
btw, I do agree about the PITA statement, I did not like their service one bit(being a few calls and a site survey).
RipNET should be at my place either tomorrow or thursday to complete a site survey. Let's keep the hopes up .
For the ping times, you can try some ping [server name or ip] -n 10.
Once again, thank you for all the precious information.
-Jean | |
| | | | b_p_smith
join:2002-02-13
·RipNet
| Re: RipNET Wireless BroadbandHow's this:
Pinging www.yahoo.akadns.net [68.142.226.55] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=57ms TTL=53
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=53
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=53
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=53
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=52
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=43ms TTL=52
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=53
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=53
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=52
Reply from 68.142.226.55: bytes=32 time=46ms TTL=52
Ping statistics for 68.142.226.55:
Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 43ms, Maximum = 57ms, Average = 46ms
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RipNet (wireless) -} WinXP -} WinProxy 5 -} LinkSys BEFSR81 -} about 8 machines running Win2003 & XP | |
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WirelessPlz
join:2004-08-11
canada
·Bell Sympatico
| Re: RipNET Wireless Broadband Thanks for the reply. Those ping times are very nice
As an update, the site survey was completed today(ya, took them a whole week to get here :\), and it turns out we have perfect signal to their tower!
So, I should get hooked up sometimes this week. | |
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