DSL question

Question

Hello,
I'm currently still on dial-up, but am thinking of switching to DSL as Verizon has a $14.95/mo. deal for 768/kbps.
Any way, part of the deal requires they send me some sort of hardware. I'm assuming this is a DSL modem (is that correct)? Also, is there any way to hook up to DSL on my mac without using this hardware?
Last, with my current set up, I've been able to using "INTERNET SHARING" with the dial up so that she and I can be online at the same time. Will switching to DSL have any affect on this? I'm assuming not, but think that DSL may be a whole new "beast" with its own quirks.
Any other basic tips are appreciated as well.

Answer 1

Hello,
I'm currently still on dial-up, but am thinking of
switching to DSL as Verizon has a $14.95/mo. deal
for
768/kbps.
That's kinda slow. Faster than dial-up, but nowhere
near the best speeds that are possible with DSL or
cable.
Any way, part of the deal requires they send me
some
sort of hardware. I'm assuming this is a DSL
modem
(is that correct)? Also, is there any way to hook
up
to DSL on my mac without using this hardware?
You're going to need some kind of DSL device. They
come in two basic versions: USB and ethernet. Stay
far, far, FAR away from USB. USB DSL requires
drivers, which often break when Apple updates the OS.
USB DSL is a pain to share with other machines on a
local net. USB DSL is a pain, period. Avoid.
Some DSL providers require that you buy or rent their
devices. Some will allow you to buy 3rd-party
devices. Typical rental is $5-10/month. A DSL device
in CompUSA is $80-120, depending on which one you
want to buy. You do the math...
Last, with my current set up, I've been able to
using
"INTERNET SHARING" with the dial up so that she and
I
can be online at the same time. Will switching to
DSL have any affect on this?
No, but there are far easier ways. If you get an
ethernet DSL device, you can also get a router. (Some
ethernet devices have a router built in.) Home
routers, including the routers built into many DSL
devices, often have a built-in switch with four or
more ports. Some have wireless built in, too. This
means that sharing ethernet DSL is easy: plug in an
ethernet cable to the switched port and whichever
computer or printer or whatever you want on the net.
Or, if wireless is available on the router, give the
other machines wireless NICs too.
I'm assuming not, but
think that DSL may be a whole new "beast" with its
own quirks.
DSL is basically super telephone. It uses the same
infrastructure. Limitations include the fact that the
further away you are from the exchange, the worse
your connection speed is going to be, and there's
nothing they can do about that with current
technology except build a new exchange closer to you.
Which probably isn't going to happen soon, if at all.
(In other words, you may not be able to get more than
768, based on your distance from the exchange.)
You can talk on the phone while DSL is active. You
can use a fax machine on the phone line, too. You'll
need a filter to clear the DSL signal from your
voice/fax line(s).
DSL usually uses PPPoE or PPPoA protocols. In the US,
it's almost always PPPoE. This is not really an
'always-on' system; PPPoE, like dial-up PPP, will log
you into the ISP's system using a specific username
and password. However, it does so very quickly, so
quickly that you usually won't notice that it's doing
anything. It will usually feel as though it's
always on. Many home routers can be set to keep the
PPPoE login on 24/7, so you really will have
always-on service. I'd check with the ISP before
doing that, though, just in case they object.
Any other basic tips are appreciated as well.
hope this helped.
I just hooked up my Verizon DSL last night and so far so good...(I know it's not much time). It was fairly easy to do and given that the price is right, at least for me, 768 kbps is better than dial-up. (Earthlink is $22/month). My question is this:
In trying to set up an account with the VErizon software that came with the hardware and wires, filters, etc., I got a message that said I do not have "administrative rights" to set up this account, blah-blah. I called Verizon and the tech was able to get me set up and on the 'net (with Safari) but the message seemed to be that if I don't get "admin rights" I won't be able to download files and my DSL service may be compromised.
Anyone know anything about this? Is "admin rights" crucial or something I'd only need for a Verizon account/homepage/e-mail, etc.
Any advice is appreciated. As wonderful as the iMac is, it's frustrating to constantly run into these little roadblocks and speed bumps because I have an Apple product and not Windows PC, etc.
Thanks,
Fred
iMac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.1)