[ale] Re-send: Opinions on Cable versus DSL

[Wandered Inn]

Jay Finch wrote:
> 
> Hey everyone,
> 
> I know this question has been asked a million and one times, but being that
> the technology has changed so much in the past few months and I'm only now
> becoming concerned with it, I wanted some opinions.
> 
> I've been a Charter Comm. Cable Modem subscriber for about 3 years now, and
> have had pretty good service.  It's been fairly peppy, but I hate how it
> goes down when it rains (without fail) and other weird routing and downtime
> issues.  I just got a notice from BellSouth that I'm (finally!) eligible
> for DSL service.
> 
> What I want to know is this: How reliable is DSL vs. Cable?  What about the
> speeds?  (I generally get 1.5MB download and 128k upload on Cable fairly
> consistently, depending on I-net traffic.)

I've had DSL via Atlnet.com for about a month now.  It's never gone
down.  I've never done any speed tests, primarily because it's so bloody
fast, I've never been concerned with it.  I have downloaded the latest
Red Hat and Slackware isos.  Something I never dare attempt with my
previous ISDN connection.

> 
> Additionally, I'm using a Linux box as my firewall/gateway, and I have a
> Static IP with Charter right now.  I know that Mindspring & Bellsouth both
> use PPPoE with DHCP as a standard, but Mindspring offers a Static IP for
> $15 extra a month.

I've got a Linux firewall/gateway as well.  Atlnet provides static ip,
no extra charge.  So, it's just another ethernet connection, no PPPoE,
or DHCP.

> 
> I want a static IP.  From y'alls experience: Do Mindspring and Bellsouth
> refresh their IPs often enough to warrant asking for a static one?  (I have
> several DNS mappings to my home machine right now.)
> 
> And finally, I know that neither "support" Linux -- I know my stuff fairly
> well in getting a box configured, but how much of a bear is it to configure
> for DSL vs. Cable?

Todd at Atlnet came to my house and set me up.  When I couldn't get
things going at first, he jumped to the command line on my firewall and
started checking out the network config.  Turned out it was my ipchains
that were stopping things.

> (And is there a "better" DSL ISP for Linux?

See note above. :)  The only down side to Atlnet is that Todd is a small
operation and you really have to stay on things to get things done.  All
in all, I'm still pleased with my service and connectivity.  I've been
with atlnet for a good while now.

> I'm trying
> to keep my costs around $50-$60/month, which is what I'm paying for my
> Cable Modem right now.)

atlnet has two dsl packages, one for $45/month another for $65/month. 
Check out there web site for more info, as I don't remember all the
specifics.  Full discloser:  If you go with atlnet, I'd appreciate a
mention, because he does 'reward' referrals. :)

> 
> Thanks in advance for y'alls help.  :~)
> 
> Cheers!
> Jay
> 
> --
> To unsubscribe: mail majordomo at ale.org with "unsubscribe ale" in message body.

--
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at denali.atlnet.com

"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds.
The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit
to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his
intelligence." - Albert Einstein
--
To unsubscribe: mail majordomo at ale.org with "unsubscribe ale" in message body.