Sunpacer
join:2002-04-29
Buford, GA
| [Services] FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus - Do I need it?
Do I need to purchase FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus in order to get home networking or can I just purchase a 2Wire 1000SW (or other router, ap, etc), hook it up and go with my regular FA account? Do wish to pay the extra $10 if I don't need to.
Thanks in advance for you help. |
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kash_
join:2004-03-20
Louisville, KY
| Re: [Services] FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus - Do
I don't know the details about the modem, but it is a modem/router I do believe with 4 ethernet plugs. I don't see why they would need to change something on their end. I have regular fast access now, and I went on ebay to get an ethernet modem, since they gave me a usb one when I signed up a year ago. But as long as you have an ethernet DSL modem, you can get a Linksys DSL/Cable Router, which will let you network and share that one IP Bellsouth gives you. I don't know how much the phone co. charges, but I know they will probably rape you on buying the modem from them. The linksys router is like 60 bucks brand new. |
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downinit
join:2001-12-01
Alto, GA | reply to Sunpacer
Re: [Services] FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus - Do I need it?
Dont fall for that crap... I have a 4port hub, and my connection hooks straight into the hub (dsl eth> hub)
and 3 other computers use the connection, including mine...
Dont pay extra for that junk... |
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Sunpacer
join:2002-04-29
Buford, GA
| reply to Sunpacer
Thanks for you response. That is what I thought.
I just found this on BS site. Not only is it $10/month, but "The service requires a 12-month service agreement and the purchase of an installation kit (starting at $149.00). "
Their justification:
Q. Why should I order FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus instead of purchasing a router from a store?
A. BellSouth will provide you with what you need to easily connect up to four computers to your home network without any special wiring. FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus is designed to work seamlessly with your FastAccess DSL Service. Our FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus Web site and consultants will help you design the perfect network for your home, and our technical support specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer any questions you may have. When you purchase your home networking solution through BellSouth, you receive the best in-home networking equipment. Buying directly from BellSouth allows you to take advantage of our lower costs while receiving additional value: customer support and a personal customized network design.
Just bought the 2Wire on eBay for $150 and saved the $10/month.
Thanks again!
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hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY | I think that product uses HPN in addition to ethernet. You are buying support for the product. If you don't want that, a hub will work on a properly configured (normally default) bellsouth-provided westell 2200. |
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kash_
join:2004-03-20
Louisville, KY | Re: [Modem] Speedtouch Home Ethernet modem is "Dow
The gullible pay more in life. |
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hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY | The idiots make random, unfounded statements. |
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Botiemaster
join:2002-02-19
Macon, GA
| reply to Sunpacer
Re: [Services] FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus - Do I need it?
Listen to me.
I just got DSL. Bellsouth is ISP. I got the home network package and i already regret it, even moreso because i'm a computer pro and not supposed to make such mistakes. Can't believe i fell for this. They made it sound like i NEEDED this package in order for the network to work and dang it i KNOW better than that! Here is what you get, it's basicly a HPNA setup:
1)The 150 dollar 2wire homeportal modem. I didn't even get a router/modem. What if i wanted to go ethernet network? Just a modem with one ethernet, USB and phone line port. I guess the pc ports and etc are what the extra 50 bucks are for. Wait a minute.......NOT! Read on........
2)4 line filters. You plug them into your phone jacks, anywhere a phone or fax or etc might be plugged into also. I will only use one so 3 are useless......
3)2 USB $76 dollar "PC Ports". 40 bucks each. Used for networking my other 2 computers to the first computer for HNPA setup. They plug into your USB port. You plug your phone line into the port. I'm not sure if you need to plug in a line from a different jack, but it includes a 2 way splitter with each port so i can only guess you can use the same jack. The Pc port is a Home Phone Networking adapter, aka a Network "Card".....
40 bucks each? A HNPA pc PCI card woulda been 12 bucks each...... Hell, i already HAVE THEM!
Why did the modem cost me 150 bucks? I guess the 4 line filters cost 50 bucks out of that 150.....
I couldn't even install the ports on my win 98FE comp because it would not recognize the USB adapter. I need a USB host controller upgrade and it seems to not exist. I went to intel, they told me to go to microsoft, MS told me to go to intel, LOLOLOLOLOLOL.
So instead i used ethernet linksys card and boom! it's installed. My last comp to be installed will use ethernet too so bottom line i just bought 80 dollars worth of PC PORTS and i ain't even using them. I'll probably just use ethernet for all my comps so i can have a full network going, 'cause it seems you cannot use HNPA on one, then ethernet on another. The computers won't see each other on the network. Though i admit i haven't fully checked it out. I just assumed the install cd would work that out if it could be done.
I bought a linksys ethernet wireless router, you know, because my DSL modem isn't a router. It works great. Love it to death 
Besides the above probs for me, this stuff is great! Install is painless thanks to the install CD. I was ready to go in a hour. Most of that time is spent typing junk down. And i live 100 million miles from CO and i got full speed. But perhaps my CO is alot closer than i think because i know the farther away you are, the less speed you get, or so they say.
Need any more info, just let me know. For right now,i have nothing bad to report about bellsouth except the homenetwork package. Don't get it, ya don't need it. Use us here to help you get your network up and running. Beats paying 50 bucks more for modem(although i'm getting 150 dollar rebate), 40 bucks for any PC ports you might get, and 10 bucks a month for the home networking package. |
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hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY | "i'm a computer pro"
hmm... |
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Dan Koerner
join:2000-08-05
Clinton, TN
| reply to Botiemaster
said by Botiemaster  :
I got the home network package and i already regret it, even moreso because i'm a computer pro and not supposed to make such mistakes.
The home network package contains a 2Wire HPNA-1000 modem/router combo... You are a PRO something.  For multiple hard-wired computers, you will need a switch also. The 1000 will do HPNA over two phone lines with DSL on one of them.
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Dan |
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Mike_
join:2003-06-24
Fort Lauderdale, FL
| reply to Sunpacer
Don't get that crapola bs trys to sell. Plus the westell 2200 modem that they give to all customers now has a built in dhcp server and router. So, all youd need is a network switch or hub. And configure the westell to do the routing. I love the way bellsouth says to be able to hook up 4 computers seemlessly.. You can hookup way more than 4.. 1.5 meg down could handle quite a bit of ppl, maybe not all downloading at the same time, but you could get like 20 ppl on if not more, depending on if your switch/hub has the necessary amount of ports to do so. Theoretically, the westell modem could provide local ips for 253 users (someone correct me if i'm wrong). But no, definitly dont need their network equipment, can always buy from anywhere.
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unless you know what you're doing. |
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mv0093
join:2003-03-14
Bastrop, LA
| reply to Sunpacer
I thought I would have to pay the extra $10/month as well. I just signed up for fast access online a couple of days ago. I already have a wireless router and 2 adapters but needed an ethernet dsl modem. I was on online chat help w/a bellsouth rep and he told me just to just choose the option with a modem and that I could use my router/access point and not have to pay the extra monthly fee. I was glad to hear that. |
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hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY | reply to Mike_
The seamlessness is referring to the ability to use Home Phone Networking--eliminating the need for installation of ethernet wiring. |
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psitool
Beware ManBearPig
Premium
join:2002-11-28
Albany, Ga
| reply to Sunpacer
Everybody here is focusing on hpna. Sunpacer said that he is going to get the 1000SW which is wireless also. I have the 1000SW and I love it. I only use wireless and currently have the hpna turned off. It has been problem free for me. In my opinion this is better than having multiple pieces of equipment to essentially do the same thing. This modem has a nice interface and makes controlling aspects of each computer quite easy. Parental Control is nice feature, if you need it. It runs directly from the modem and no installation on the computer is needed. |
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brandon
Some truth included in this post.
Premium
join:2003-03-31
Hurley, MS | reply to hailinfantry
said by hailinfantry :
"i'm a computer pro"
hmm...
ditto. |
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Sunpacer
join:2002-04-29
Buford, GA
| reply to Sunpacer
Well, I'm back. Just got the new 1000SW 2Wire I bought on eBay for $150. I am not a PRO, and the set up was EZ....
If you know anything about networking, it won't take you as long as it took me, but I am very pleased. I have only had it running for about an hour now, but speed on the wireless connection to my laptop (which I am typing on in the den in front of the TV) is great. Got just over a meg down with the 2Wire card included in the kit. I haven't checked the desktop yet.
I have the desktop hooked directly to the 1000SW via USB and, as I said, the laptop has the wireless card.
DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THE EXTRA $10/month. Find a buddy that knows networking, and take them down your local CompUSA, etc and pick up the proper equipment and buy them a pizza and a beer for hooking you up.
The reason I went with the 1000SW, is because I had Speedtouch USB modem, thus the 1000SW was a good choice for me since I didn't need to buy a NIC card, a modem with an RJ45 connection, a wireless hub, etc. The 1000SW took care of it all for me.
Good luck and buy some stock with your $10/month savings.
Later |
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joako
Premium
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to Sunpacer
said by Sunpacer :
Do I need to purchase FastAccess HomeNetworking Plus in order to get home networking or can I just purchase a 2Wire 1000SW (or other router, ap, etc), hook it up and go with my regular FA account? Do wish to pay the extra $10 if I don't need to.
Thanks in advance for you help.
If you just want wired computers, you can buy a $20 switch to use with the Westell modem. |
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mikes60
My Paradise
Premium
join:2001-07-31
Boynton Beach, FL
 ·AT&T Southeast
 ·Vonage
| said by joako :
If you just want wired computers, you can buy a $20 switch to use with the Westell modem.
I agree with your statement. But where do you find a $20.00 switch?
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Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday--so why bother? |
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Newbie Guy
@bellsouth.net | reply to Sunpacer
I got an 8 port switch for $24.99 and it had a $10 rebate for Microcenter less than a year ago. |
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mikes60
My Paradise
Premium
join:2001-07-31
Boynton Beach, FL |
Did some quick checking and found the prices of switches are now as low as 29.99.
Last time I looked, they were more expensive than routers.
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Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday--so why bother? |
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