[svlug] DSL Instllation

[Harry Putnam]

Don Marti wrote:
> 
> Fairly often on this mailing list, someone posts "I did [something dumb]
> and I need help with [workaround]." Some answers are help with the
> workaround, some answers are alternate suggestions. This is an alternate
> suggestion. If you're committed to Pac Bell skip it.
> 
> 1. Cancel Pac Bell DSL. They're idiots. PPP over Ethernet is a Bad Idea.

One thing I forgot to mention is that they would not sell me the
customer-install kit (because I didn't have Win or Mac). It is somewhat
annoying that I am going to end up doing the install anyhow and still
paying the extra cash.
 
> 2. Find a DSL provider who offers the "5 static IP addresses" deal with
> standard Ethernet. Order from them and have them give you the network
> information (IP addresses, gateway address, netmask) _before_ the phone
> monkey shows up. Tell them you have Linux and will not be installing
> additional software.
> 
> 3. When the installer shows up, have your machine ready with the IP
> configuration info you got in step 3 and a phone number for your
> DSL provider just in case anything goes wrong.  (The installer will
> probably not know Linux.)
> 
> I did this with rawbandwidth.com and I had no problems at all.  See:
> http://www.rawbandwidth.com/services/resdsl.html

Thanks for the tip. I did give rawbandwidth a call today. The service is
available in El Cerrito (where I live). They let me know that PacBell is
currently out of ports in this area (a fact that PacBell has yet to
mention to me) and that it will be 3-5 weeks before they get some more.
I'll probably still get PacBell since the monthly rate is $25 cheaper
than the single static IP option. The 5 static IP option was quite a bit
more. I at least have an alternative.

Thanks Again,

Harry