Hi Hugh; On Thu, 2007-04-12 at 14:07 -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote: > | From: William Case <billlinux@xxxxxxxxxx> [snip] > Rogers.com isn't ADSL, it is cable TV broadband (DOCSIS). > Thanks, never got it straight in my mind what to call it until now. > I ask because this sounds like you have a solution in mind for some > problem and I suspect that there might be a better solution. > > William: I have found that my Rogers cable modems have been quite > reliable (Lancity then SB5100). Certainly more reliable than the rest > of their network. When I call Rogers with a trouble report, they > often ask me to power cycle the modem but it has almost never makes a > difference. > I have the Motorola SB5100 too. About every three weeks my Internet service goes down. I have gotten so I just power cycle and it works again. Last time I called Rogers they said that they had checked me remotely and that I was using a router therefore they couldn't help. On an earlier call I mentioned I was on Linux and they said they couldn't/wouldn't help. They have talked to me (never actually suggested anything that helped) when I have had WindowsXP booted at the time of the call. No I don't have an idea for a solution, but I had hoped someone had a suggestion on how I might try to power cycle from my computer rather than running (or walking) down to the basement all the time. [snip] > > > More detailed discussion of the division of labour in home network > components: > > Each of DOCSIS and ADSL require their own modems to convert the > signal coming into your house into ethernet. > > With Rogers version of DOCSIS, the modem presents a regular TCP/IP > ethernet access to the internet to the in-house network. With one > globally-routable IPv4 address. (I have heard that they will let you > have more IP addresses for a fee.) [snip] > For most people, a broadband router is useful as an intermediary > between their modem and their modem (ADSL or DOCSIS). > > - broadband routers usually know how to do PPPoE > > - the typical router is an inexpensive turnkey box. It should require > little maintenance and "just work". Unaffected by computer upgades. > > - it allows multiple computers to connect to your LAN by using NAT > (NAPT really). Most have built-in switches allowing 4 computers > to be directly connected (more with external switches). > > - it protects your LAN with a simple firewall (mostly: because of > NAPT, by default (i.e. without port forwarding) all communication > with the internet has to be initiated from the LAN side) > > - many broadband routers include an 802.11g wireless access point > > - most service providers will support broadband routers more willingly > than Linux (most of their MS Windows customers use them too). > > A broadband router isn't needed if you only have one computer and you > trust its firewall. A broadband router isn't sufficient if you have > gateway policies that it cannot implement. > I have three computers; mine and two users with rogers.com sub-accounts under my main account using the router to connect through one Motorola modem. By the way, this is a lot of good stuff to know that you have provided. Thanks. -- Regards Bill
