DSL modem standard? Does any DSL modem will work?

[becat]

Does any one know whether the dsl modem standard is out yet? I am plaining to get a dsl connection but the modem that the company ask me to buy is kind of expensive. I am asking if I just buy a dsl modem made by some other companies will it work?😕

 

[andrey]

Take a look at www.dslreports.com for information on different protocols, modems and ISPs. People over there say quite a few interesting things on different aspects of DSL and that definetely should help you make decision on what to choose.

 

[Lord Evermore]

The only standard really is G.Lite, which not all providers implement yet. Most are still using proprietary chipsets in their DSLAM's (the muliplexor where all the DSL circuits in an area connect at the central office). For instance Covad uses Nokia DSLAM's, and they require special chipsets in their DSL modems and routers which will interact with the Nokia DSLAM. They're pretty much the only ones that use them, so the companies that they get their equipment from for sale to users (Flowpoint and Netopia) had to make special models for Covad to use.

PPoE and DHCP are a completely separate issue, unrelated to the type of modem used. They only come into effect after the modem has made the link to the DSL network.

 

[Mday]

what evermore said...

 

[jinsonxu]

Hmm, i'm not much into DSL since i'm using cable. But there's one DSL provider in my area which states that only Intel based PCs are supported and i was wondering what fact they were basing that on.

 

[Doggiedog]

There's not only G.Lite but CAP and DMT too.

 

[becat]

So according to the responses, I can get any kind of DSL modem for it to work with most of the DSL provider?

 

[Doggiedog]

No you have to get a specific modem that the carrier supports.

For example Verizon DSL uses Westell, Efficient and 3COM modems but that doesn't necessarily mean that they would work on SBC.

 

[becat]

Than How do you know if other modems would work? From the DSL site it says only the Effcient modem will work and it is what they will provide and I have checked places like buy.com and onvia.com both don't sell the brand, which means I can only by from the DSL company. How much does people buy their DSL modem?

 

[Viper GTS]

As long as you match up the proper type of DSL (G-LITE, CAP, or DMT) & have appropriate software if it's internal (PPP, Bridging, or PPPoE) you should technically be fine.

The real issue is whether or not you'll be supported by your service provider's support boundaries. G-LITE is by far the most prevalent standard, & probably the best. Qwest uses CAP on most of their DSLAMs, but will probably convert to G-LITE before too long. Most service providers stick to one or two types of modems, if you didn't buy their modem you're officially SOL.

Viper GTS

 

[Doggiedog]

I'll bet you there are a lot of disgruntled Verizon DSL users that auction off their stuff on e8ay. When I switch providers I would probably have no use for the Westell modem I've got. I'm sure if you look around you'll find a bunch of people selling Efficient modems.

BTW: Why is the word e8ay forbidden?

 

[Lord Evermore]

People were posting links to their sales on e bay too much. So you can't post a link if you can't post the word. 🙂

You can't necessarily buy a modem based on the standard it uses, yet. G.Lite still isn't a totally plug and play standard. It's always best to buy from the provider. You know you're getting one that will work, and usually there's a decent warranty period for if it fails. Like with Covad and Northpoint, if it fails within a year they will come out and replace it as many times as they have to (assuming your ISP sold it to you through Covad or Northpoint as part of the bundled service).

 

[becat]

The DSL ISP I am planing to get is from winfire.com. How good is this free dsl service? Please share your openions, if I decided, I guess I will have to get from them, the modem.