March 2004 - WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Re: [Wlug] High-speed access questions

by doug waud

Hi Gregory Avedissian wrote: > It seems like most of the providers say that you need windows or mac to > use their DSL or cable internet. Does this just mean they won't offer > tech support for linux, or does it mean that it won't work? I'm planning > on using a router and having two computers connected. I have dealt with 3 cable companies. The first, the local Shrewsbury Cable company wanted a Windows box so their installer could prove/test that the system was working. This is a reasonable position; if you don't draw the line tightly you'll end up dealing with the customer-from-hell and just run up expenses. Incidentally, the guy who came to my house played with Linux at home so the atmosphere was cordial but beside the point since I had a windows notebook for the initial test (and then just reconnected cables once he was out the door. The second was for my daughter in Southboro. There the cable was Charter. Again, I just had a windows notebook available in the cellar where the cable came in and the cable modem would lie. As with the Shrewsbury cable company the service guy just wanted to confirm that the signal was working and again, I just reconnected cables once he was out the door. The third was Adelphia up at our cottage in NH. This time I did not get to the notebook stage. I just looked over the service man's shoulder while he installed the signal separator (ethernet/tv) and waved goodbye. I then ran a cable into the house to the cable modem (this time I bought it; cheaper route) and from there to a firewall/router. In all cases most computers are running Linux (my wife still has a Windows box for games) and all work fine. Once the signal gets out of the cable modem to your router, the os of the connected computers will make no difference. I cannot comment on phone help from any of the three companies since I have never needed it. I would not expect them to deal with Linux since that would not be cost-effective. On the other hand, this list is an alternative that will trump a low paid telephone responder any time :-) Get the modem in (and have a windows machine available) and then connect your router and see if you can ping the router etc. If you run into a problem get in touch with the list (or me directly if you wish). doug

March 31, 2004

Re: [Wlug] High-speed access questions

by Brian J. Conway

Not true (entirely). What Comcast does now is direct all requests from an unauthorized modem to a Comcast web page that you enter your info in and it authorized the MAC address on your modem. Before that with AT&T Broadband, I called up support, told them I had an unsupported OS and asked them to enable my modem for use on their network. They asked for my various information, and 5 minutes later, everything worked. But yes, using the Windows program was probably the easiest way. Fortunately, now anyone with a browser can set things up. Brian On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 18:27:49 -0500 (EST) gboyce(a)badbelly.com wrote: > On Wed, 31 Mar 2004, Gregory Avedissian wrote: > > > It seems like most of the providers say that you need windows or mac > > to use their DSL or cable internet. Does this just mean they won't > > offer tech support for linux, or does it mean that it won't work? I'm > > planning on using a router and having two computers connected. > > When I signed up for a AT&T cable modem (before Comcast bought them), it > > was actually impossible to enable your cable modem from within Linux. > There was a windows program to do the initial setup. After you get past > > that point, Linux would work with it fine. > > I luckily had a Windows partition on the machine at the time. > > I'm hoping that Comcast doesn't have this same problem for new users, > but issues like that are a possibility.

March 31, 2004

Re: [Wlug] High-speed access questions

by gboyce＠badbelly.com

On Wed, 31 Mar 2004, Gregory Avedissian wrote: > It seems like most of the providers say that you need windows or mac to > use their DSL or cable internet. Does this just mean they won't offer > tech support for linux, or does it mean that it won't work? I'm planning > on using a router and having two computers connected. When I signed up for a AT&T cable modem (before Comcast bought them), it was actually impossible to enable your cable modem from within Linux. There was a windows program to do the initial setup. After you get past that point, Linux would work with it fine. I luckily had a Windows partition on the machine at the time. I'm hoping that Comcast doesn't have this same problem for new users, but issues like that are a possibility.

March 31, 2004

Re: [Wlug] High-speed access questions

by David Goss

I'm using linux ( RH 9.0 ) for my nternet gateway/firewall with four windows boxes through it. Speed is good. No support from Verizon ( SURPRISE!!! ) but works very well for me in Marlborough dave goss assimulation is fulite! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gregory Avedissian" <avedis(a)rcn.com> To: <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:35 PM Subject: [Wlug] High-speed access questions > It seems like most of the providers say that you need windows or mac to > use their DSL or cable internet. Does this just mean they won't offer > tech support for linux, or does it mean that it won't work? I'm planning > on using a router and having two computers connected. > > Has anyone had luck with linux and Verizon DSL? They're down to > $35/month, and they give you the modem. Anyone know of better deals? > > Thanks. > > > Greg > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >

March 31, 2004

Re: [Wlug] High-speed access questions

by Matt Higgins

Verizon DSL is very hit or miss from my experience. If it works it's fantastic other wise forget it. I lived in an old 3 decker in Worcester and the wiring in the neighborhood was old (Vernon Hill) and whenever it rained or we had snow my connection would go down. My phone worked find but there was too much noise on the line to carry the DSL signal. I called called Verizon where I had good experience with there tech support, the sent out many techs each time correcting the problem a few more feet up the street! When I went to cable they even reimbursed me for my last months service, or lack of service. You mileage may vary ! -Matt Quoting Gregory Avedissian <avedis(a)rcn.com>: > It seems like most of the providers say that you need windows or mac to > use their DSL or cable internet. Does this just mean they won't offer > tech support for linux, or does it mean that it won't work? I'm planning > on using a router and having two computers connected. > > Has anyone had luck with linux and Verizon DSL? They're down to > $35/month, and they give you the modem. Anyone know of better deals? > > Thanks. > > > Greg > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > >

March 31, 2004

RE: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo

by Martin, Eric

I def know what you mean with the Inet not being friendly anymore...I'm trying to explain to clients and co-workers alike that you can get an virus just by browsing a website...when Is M$ gonna patch that horrible browswer of theirs anyway?!!?!? So firewall is step 1. that I'm prob gonna test in house first, then expose it (complete with jail ;) ) -----Original Message----- From: Bob George [mailto:mailings02@ttlexceeded.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:52 PM To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Subject: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo Martin, Eric wrote: > A large part of it is the learning, that's one of the things that got > me into comptuers in the first place. I know it sounds crazy, but I > want to deal with the headaches of a mailserver, and possibly 2 DNS > servers if I can run them. Basically it comes down to wanting the > expirience of bringing up a mail server and dealing with real > problems... That's a great approach, but do appreciate that in making some early mistakes, you can easily wind up with your system used to relay spam en-masse, or worse. I would recommend a slow and thorough approach, along with a fail-back option if something doesn't work as expected. Get the firewall working and tested as step 1. Have someone knowledgeable help with testing as you go. Unfortunately, the 'net has become a dangerous place for learning these days, and mistakes are quickly exploited. Or you could simply never make mistakes. :) - Bob _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

March 31, 2004

RE: [Wlug] Looking for a used power supply

by Mike Peckar

ATX - in a connector with two rows of 10. My motherboard doesn't have the single row connector pictured in the link you sent, but the one just below that...

March 31, 2004

RE: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo

by Martin, Eric

Cool, thanks! -----Original Message----- From: Josh Huber [mailto:huber@alum.wpi.edu] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 3:00 PM To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Subject: Re: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo "Martin, Eric" <MartinE(a)worc.k12.ma.us> writes: > A large part of it is the learning, that's one of the things that got > me into comptuers in the first place. I know it sounds crazy, but I > want to deal with the headaches of a mailserver, and possibly 2 DNS > servers if I can run them. Basically it comes down to wanting the > expirience of bringing up a mail server and dealing with real > problems... Well, depending on your ISP 'situation', something like this might be nice: http://www.dyndns.org/services/pricing/index.html#mailhop I use dyndns' backup MX service, in case my connection goes down. They spool for up to 10 days, I believe. -- Josh Huber _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

March 31, 2004

Re: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo

by Josh Huber

"Martin, Eric" <MartinE(a)worc.k12.ma.us> writes: > A large part of it is the learning, that's one of the things that > got me into comptuers in the first place. I know it sounds crazy, > but I want to deal with the headaches of a mailserver, and possibly > 2 DNS servers if I can run them. Basically it comes down to wanting > the expirience of bringing up a mail server and dealing with real > problems... Well, depending on your ISP 'situation', something like this might be nice: http://www.dyndns.org/services/pricing/index.html#mailhop I use dyndns' backup MX service, in case my connection goes down. They spool for up to 10 days, I believe. -- Josh Huber

March 31, 2004

Re: Good HowTo

by Bob George

Martin, Eric wrote: > A large part of it is the learning, that's one of the things that got me > into comptuers in the first place. I know it sounds crazy, but I want to > deal with the headaches of a mailserver, and possibly 2 DNS servers if I can > run them. Basically it comes down to wanting the expirience of bringing up > a mail server and dealing with real problems... That's a great approach, but do appreciate that in making some early mistakes, you can easily wind up with your system used to relay spam en-masse, or worse. I would recommend a slow and thorough approach, along with a fail-back option if something doesn't work as expected. Get the firewall working and tested as step 1. Have someone knowledgeable help with testing as you go. Unfortunately, the 'net has become a dangerous place for learning these days, and mistakes are quickly exploited. Or you could simply never make mistakes. :) - Bob

March 31, 2004