Can someone explain this DSL thing to me? (Used to be on cable...)

[spamboy]

OK, so I used to be on cable but I moved out on my own and just installed DSL at my house. When I was on cable, you just connected through a LAN (early on, you could even see your neighbors computers over the network). But when I ran the CDROM's they gave me for DSL, it installed a vitual network adapter and I have to connect it to the modem. The IP of the virtual network adapter and that of the actual NIC don't match.

How does DSL work? Can someone explain the relationship between the modem and my NIC, or point me to a site? And if I have to connect with this software, how could I connect on Linux?

As far as I can tell, my cable "modem" wasn't a modem at all, it was just a NIC on steroids. But the DSL modem actually has to connect, and then I have to connect to the modem every time I boot up. Can I just change a few settings and have it work more like the old cable setup?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[splice]

I believe you are talkking about PPPoE which requires a login/password not to your modem but to your ISP. What I would do if this is the case is go buy a Linksys DSL router and setup PPPoE on the router,then you never have to connect again. The router will take care of all of it for you.

 

[Muse]

Well, is it working? I've had DSL for around a year and a half and the connection is transparent. I (and most users) leave the modem (it's external) on all the time. As far as I know, it stays synched. You boot and you are automatically connected, nothing to do. You launch your browser or email client and the connection is there. I'm not into the technical aspects, but would like to learn them, myself.

Dan

 

[spamboy]

Yes, it's PPPoE. It needs a login/pass for the ISP. So the only way to not have to go through that it to use a broadband router that supports it? It's not like it's that big of a deal, I was more curious than anything.

 

[bigshooter]

Or you could use an external DSL modem. I always liked my Cisco 675, even had it setup as a router. Setup NAT on it and hooked it up to my switch. Saved myself $150 (at the time) until I moved to cable.