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FAQ Revisions	Editor: KeysCapt Last modified on 2009-10-23 20:27:33
Table of Contents   1.0 About this FAQ (3) 1. DSL 101 (22)     1.05 Broadband Terminology (53)   1.1 Equipment (17)     1.12 Cat 5 Wiring (12)   1.2 Struggling to get DSL (8)   1.3 Line Sharing FAQ (22) 2. DSL 201 (17) 3. Contracts (11) 4. Using DSL (20)   4.1 NAT (10) 5. Troubleshooting (34)   5.1 ISP Specific FAQs (9) 6. Security (19) 7. DSL 301 (11) 8. Home wiring (16) 9. Tricky Applications (19)
1.0 About this FAQ **PLEASE READ ** Before Submitting a Question How do I submit an item to the FAQ? What is the difference between different catagories of ethernet cable?
1. DSL 101 Why DSLReports? I heard DSL is cool. What is it? DSL vs CABLE? What is the fastest speed that DSL connections are capable of? What's this about distance from the CO? Maximum download and upload speeds? DSL for Gaming? Can I FAX over DSL? Latency versus Bandwidth - What is it? Why is distance important with DSL? Do I still need an ISP with DSL? Can I continue to use AOL? My email is with MSN/AOL - Can I keep it? Can I connect my phone to DSL also? Do I need another telephone line to use DSL? Will my MAC work with DSL? How long does it take from order, to install? Does anyone have to visit my house? I live in an apartment, not a house. Can I get DSL? Can I get DSL with no phone service? Why is DSLR a good place to check your speeds -vs- Company site/ FTP? What is a dry pair ?
1.05 Broadband Terminology ATM? Bridge Tap? BPS (Bits Per Second) ? CAP and DMT? CIR (Committed Information Rate) ? CLEC? CPE ? DSLAM? DLCI? DNS (Domain Name System) ? Download? Upload? Drop? EULA (End User License Agreement) ? F1 pair? Filters? FOC date? Fractional T1 / T3 ? Frame Relay ? FTP? Ground Block High Pass Filter ILEC IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) ? KBPS (Kilobits Per Second) ? LAN ? LATA ? Latency? Line Tap Splitters (DC taps)? Load Coils? Local Loop ? Mbps ? MPOE? Noise Margin? Ping? POTS? PPPoE? PPPoA? PSTN PVCs - Permanent Virtual Circuits ? QoS ? Remote DSLAM? Repeater ? RT (Remote Terminal)? SMDS (Switched Multimegabit Data Service) ? Sync? TLS (Transport Layer Security) ? Training the line? Trouble Ticket? Upstream Signal to Noise Ratio VPN (Virtual Private Network) ? A List of Broadband Terms Hz/KHz/MHz? MBaud? Shielded/Unshielded?
1.1 Equipment Will my old PC be fast enough for DSL? How does DSL connect to my computer? My new computer has a DSL modem. Can I use that? Do I always need filter for my other phone line devices? How many filters do I need? DSL modem and surge protection What is the difference between a hub and a switch? Where Can I Get A DSL Line Surge Protector? Do all surge protectors slow down your connection? Can I set up a router with my USB DSL Modem Will I have to upgrade my DSL modem every 6 months? What exactly is a RADIUS Server. Should the Network Packets light always be on, on my Hybrid Modem? Will a Efficient Networks 5250 work with ADSL I have this Netopia router from Northpoint/ other CLEC, What can I do with It? How do I remotely restart (for resync) my dataquest modem? Can I switch a Cisco 678 modem from CAP to DMT?
1.12 Cat 5 Wiring (UTP Cat 5 wiring): How far can I go with Cat 5 cable? (UTP Cat 5 Wiring): What's the difference between 568A and 568B? (UTP Cat 5 wiring): Can I use a modular coupler to join two network cables? (UTP Cat 5 wiring): What are those plastic clips that came with my RJ45 jacks? (UTP Cat-5 wiring): Why are the RJ45 plugs I crimped on failing? (UTP Cat 5 wiring): Why do some patch cables have boots? (UTP Cat-5 wiring): Is plenum cable any better than PVC? (UTP Cat-5 wiring): What's all this about twists? (UTP Cat 5 Wiring): What are 66 and 110 blocks? (UTP Cat 5 wiring): Isn't coaxial cable better? What is the difference between Cat-5 and Cat-5e? What is a crossed or cross-over ethernet cable and how do i make one?
1.2 Struggling to get DSL My neighbor has DSL, why don't I? If I am too far to get ADSL from one provider, is it the same for all? You say I can get DSL, but my telco says no! If I change phone number would it help to get dsl? Should I order DSL thru the provider's web site or via the phone? Why can't my phoneline get ADSL? DSL Availability & Troubleshooting Why can't I get DSL even if I'm only one foot from my CO?
1.3 Line Sharing FAQ What is Line Sharing? Filters and line-sharing Do I need cable service to get Cable Internet? Sharing one-way cable with Linksys routers Why is a line sharing install easier? Which CLECs support Line Sharing now? Does Line Sharing improve distance limits? What is a Splitter? What is a Y-Adapter What Covad products support line sharing? How is the install delay on linesharing installs? Why would I get a splitter rather than filters? How is a Line Sharing order placed? My phone line is not billed by my ILEC! What troubleshooting can I expect during an install? Must the ILEC fix line problems? What to do after Technically Not Feasible Is Line Sharing a win? My CO is not up for Covad Line Sharing yet! Will the POTS service still function during a power failure with ADSL? Will DSL give me a noisy phone line? If your Isp uses line sharing, Important note!.
2. DSL 201 ADSL, SDSL, VDSL, IDSL, help! too many acronyms! What's the difference between bridged, dynamic or static IP and which is better? What's the difference between ADSL and SDSL What is the difference between ADSL and IDSL? What is the difference in RADSL vs ADSL? Why is an IDSL connection more expensive than a 1.5M/384K connection? Where can I find an ADSL tutorial? Slower SDSL or faster ADSL for Gamers? How do I choose an ISP with local facilities so I have low pings? How do I figure out how much bandwidth I need? How do I reconfigure my laptop between home to Office Does an installer need to come out to my house if I have a shared line order? Why is a 1.5mbs DSL line $100 when 2mbs cable is only $40 What does a load coil look like? What is TTL or Time To Live? What is the RWIN setting? What is the MTU?
3. Contracts What does FAP mean? Why does my ISP prefer me to sign a contract? What do I look for in a contract? Will I have to pay a lot if I move houses? Can I switch ISPs anytime? is there a penalty? The phone company offers DSL so cheap! what's the catch? What is this USF tax? Who do I complain to? What is a reseller? why should you avoid them? Getting Complaints Resolved Answer to question: Can I break a contract?
4. Using DSL I want to operate my own server with DSL, am I allowed? My IP hasn't changed. Do I have a static IP? How can I share my DSL/Cable connection over 2 or more computers? Ok I have fast DSL, what sites are cool? Why is video no better than it was with my modem? Should I turn off my DSL or something when I am not using it? Will I get charged more for using DSL often? Do I still need windows dialup networking tools with DSL? Why get DSL when I can dial the office and use its fast line? Now I have DSL, I want connect to the office. How can I do that? Is DSL available with voice-over-IP so I can use 1 phone line for voice & data? How many users can use a single business DSL line Which modem should I get when ordering from Bellsouth Can I be dialed up and on DSL at the same time? Would it slow down my speed if i ran a web server? Are there any alternatives to PPPoE? Explain Windows 9x Virtual Memory settings What is the 80% bandwidth / speed how to do dial access and dsl (or cable) at the same time without a script How Does My Computer Get An IP Address From A DHCP Server?
4.1 NAT What is NAT? Can I share my DSL line with my other computers? Can I share my DSL connection on my MAC? Sharing with a Hub or ICS, and no router Sharing with a Router or Switch Problems with NAT and some applications. Why can't I DCC chat on IRC? How do I get NAT to run with SecuRemote 4118 from Checkpoint? I have Proxim Symphony or homefree. Can I use that with DSL? How does teamplay Starcraft/battle.net and NAT work?
5. Troubleshooting Stalls and freezes I think my DSL is too slow! How do I optimize my MTU and RWIN settings? I cannot access the net at all. Got my DSL Modem but no Sync! I keep losing sync. How can i stop this? My DSL disconnects when I answer the phone Web-sites seem slow on initial connect MSIE Work Offline / Try Again My ADSL line cannot send AND receive at advertised rates Why can I not ping my IP address? Why Does My Computer Stop Responding Using USB Modem? Why do I have long delays after rebooting with Win2K and WinXP? I can browse, but can't download any files. I'm getting Error 650... what should I do? Why can't I game with my new Router? I am unable to connect to some sites recently. How do I know if my DSL problems come from my house or my telco? Why do downloads start FAST, then slow down? What can I do to get better performance out of my DSL connection? My latency (ping times) are high, even though my transfer rate is good I added a DSL internal modem, now my PC crashes I lose line Sync regularly How come I can't register a user name and password on SWBell over the internet? I've tweaked, tested, and I still have problems, how do I deal with my ISP? What can I do to ensure clean lines for my dsl connection? Problems continuing to use my old (dialup) email Why can't i set my MTU to 1492 with WinPoet? Why does my modem take so long to sync with the CO? My home alarm isn't turned on-will it still affect my DSL signal? When I pick my phone up, I get a static feedback when the modem synced Can't access some Web/FTP/Secure sites & troubles with email/VPNs/file transfers DSL Error Code Identifications How do I change my DNS server address(es)?
5.1 ISP Specific FAQs AT&T Broadband Comcast Earthlink Optimum Online RoadRunner Verizon Windstream Streamyx (Malaysia) Basic Ontario/Quebec DSL ISP Services Info
6. Security If I am on the net 24hrs a day, will I get hacked? Using Linux how can I make my computer safe? Is my line DSL line private, or can my hacker neighbor listen in? Where can I read more on Security Do I Need a Firewall? Which is best? My firewall keeps alerting me about connections. What should I Do? I have Norton Personall firewall or any other software firewall, am I safe? Is ZoneAlarm a worthwhile firewall or spyware? What is a Trojan? How can I become infected with a Trojan? How can I find out if I am already infected by a Trojan? I am infected with a Trojan. How do I get rid of it? How can I find out if I am already infected by a Trojan? What TCP/UDP ports should be left open on a firewall? Am I being watched by my ISP? What type of security does a DSL line provide? how do i make my pc pingable What is a dummy DMZ? Is there a difference between a IDS and a firewall?
7. DSL 301 How do I determine my IP ADDRESS? Anything wrong with picking a distant ISP? What is interleaving? Is it better on or off? How do you set interleaving? What is a Redback Server? How can I get a DNS name with Dynamic IP? Compare bridged vs Routed DSL What is the difference between T1 and 1.5mbit SDSL? What are the pluses and the minuses for usb and nic connections for adsl modems? Getting into the SpeedStream 5260 Can I share my PPPoE ADSL connection without buying multiple IPs?
8. Home wiring DSL and HOME ALARM SYSTEMS. What is the best wire to use for phone / network / digital cable? Can I still use DSL and dialup on the same computer? Does it require a splitter? What is inside wiring? Where can I get a RJ45 (8 wire) DSL Line conditoner for my home security system? how can my dsl line be good up to the house yet bad on the inside? What can I do to ensure clean house lines for my dsl connection? What are the possible effects, if any, from using a 900 Mhz phone and DSL? What can I do if I suspect something inside my house is causing DSL problems? How can I get the best out of my inside wiring? How can I prepare my inside wiring for DSL installation? Are there alternatives to drilling holes in my walls to connect a 2nd computer? How can I network my home without putting holes in walls (inexpensive method)? Can I run ADSL as a second phone line by installing one filter at the 66 bock? Swapping Inner and Outer Pairs on an RJ-11 Wall Plate How can I check if my inside telephone wiring is faulty?
9. Tricky Applications What is another way to repair IE if it doesn't appear in the Add/Remove programs How can I shut down/restart my computer remotely? Using Dialpad for a phone,they can hear me but I can't hear them. I am having trouble with Windows 98ICS and directplay games Some users (not all) are unable to use my FTP server I cannot use certain IRC functions, like DCC send. My game/directplay does not work over NAT! Using Windows ICS causes slowdown How can I use DSL with NetMeeting or Intel Video Phone? What are Host Headers How do I set up host headers in IIS 4.0 How can I improve the performance of my web server? How do I repair IE when it doesn't appear in the add/remove box? I can connect with Enternet 300 in Windows 2000, but my browser won't work. How do I remove NetBIOS from TCP/IP or DUN connections? DCC Send settings in mIRC IRC client How do I use Linksys routers with web servers? HOW TO: Use the Remote Shutdown Tool in Windows 2000 Can I use two DSL modems on the same line?
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