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Anon | reply to Anon
Re: PPPoE & PacBell...the answer.
PPPoE came into being, really, for a number of reasons. I read the writeup on it over at the www.redbacknetworks.com website. PPPoE was jointly developed between RedBack and UUNet.
Despite the problems with it noted on this board, it's existence is really helping to spread the usage and adoption of xDSL formats. Why? Because most people (not power users, but everyday folks) would NOT go to the bother of having to configure ATM adapters and other kinds of arcane configuration setups for DSL.
PPPoE allows users --Windows users-- to use the familiar Dial-Up-Networking interface that they've used since Win95 came into being. There's very little configuration that has to be done by the user in this scenario.
Yes, it also allows ISP's the ability to proportion their bandwidth with much more flexibility than static, dedicated circuits. In other words, in the dedicated circuit configuration, the bandwidth is always provided whether it's being used or not. This is a MUCH more expensive way of doing business, and really is cost-prohibitive for most ISPs. With PPPoe using the "dial-up" scenario, bandwidth can be traffic-managed more effectively. In other words, smaller bandwidth allocations can be made for the same number of users because each circuit is not dedicated. This is how analog dial-up service works.
Of course, ISP's have to carefully note what their peak demands are going to be and purchase bandwidth accordingly. Nothing will tee-off customers more than not having the bandwidth they've been promised when they need it. Cable already suffers from this, as it is a shared medium.
I don't understand why the complaints about not being "always on" is troublesome...If you have your pc running, and have dialed up with PPPoE, then you're on until you quit or shutdown. What good is it doing you to have a connection that's on with a pc that's off?
For those who complain about password saving, etc., and no auto-connects...here's a couple of options:
"Gator" www.gator.com --a great, free utility for keeping track of names/addresses/passwords, etc.
"Push the Freakin Button"...a great FREE utility
that will "push" dialog buttons for you automatically, like "Connect", etc. I use it to totally automate file downloads and many other functions. Great for dismissing shareware nag screens, too.
»hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis···ry=Utili ties&DispSubcategory=System+Utilities&DispTitle=Push+The+Freakin%27+Button%21&refresh_url= ftp%3A//zdftp.zdnet.com/pub/private/sWlIB/utilities/system_utilities/freakinb.zip&Fcode=00 0Q4I&Category=utilities&Subcategory=system_utilities&b=
You can use PTFB to autoconnect the WinPoet for you, assuming it will save your logon/password.
I would encourage everyone to go to the www.redbacknetworks.com website and read the PPPoE faq. It doesn't mean you'll have to like it, but you will come away knowing why, from an economic and aesthetic standpoint, it's being adopted. You'll see how existing local/regional ISP's can use it to remain competitive with the larger national types on price. It allows them to keep the dialup model they already have in effect for their analog customers. And you'll understand why BellAtlantic and others are adopting the RedBack router system. It utilizes a management system for billing as well as all the data traffic it handles/routes. WindRiver wrote the WinPoet software in conjunction with RedBack and UUNet. | |
Anon | One of the attractions of an "always on connection" is the remote access to my network, PPoE makes that impossible.
The reason PPPoE is attractive is that is gets around the circuit switched limitations of ATM. The telcos just can not give up circuit switched technology. If the last mile link was IP your ISP would not care if you were connected or not since they only need to route packets, not reserve bandwith of an idle ATM virtual circut.
PPPoE is even more oninous when you consider the AOL Time Warner deal. If this goes through we have a media company owning last mile connectivity. Their interest is in delivering "eyeballs to advertisers" allowing individuals to publish over the interent is not in their business interest.
/Tom | |
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