swbell DSL

[Jeff McCright]

I believe the Windows 98 request from SWBELL is to allow them to detemine whether to provide a 
PCI/ISA Network Adapter or a USB interface to the DSL Router.
 ----------
From: kclug at kclug.org
To: kclug at kclug.org
Cc: jeff.mccright at southernunionco.com
Subject: Re: kclug - swbell DSL

phase at booyaka.com wrote:

> does anybody have experience with southwestern bell DSL?

I've got it on Linux and Win95 and am happy w/ it.

> a friend of mine ordered it recently after i told him he
> could run linux on his old, unused 486 and use it as a
> firewall/masquerading box to share the connection among
> a couple of win98 machines.  i recently put a couple of
> ISA ne2000 clones in the box, installed slackware 7 on
> it, and set it up to use dhcpcd to configure the outside
> interface.  now, before swbell will install the service,
> they're requiring proof that my friend owns a registered
> copy of win98.

I had a March 3 install date and they said nothing about Win98.  When I
placed the order, I specifically said I had Linux.  They said fine, but
you may be on your own about configuring it.

> this has me worried that their service
> uses PPPOE or in some other way *requires* win98.  can
> anyone confirm or deny my concern?  if they do use DHCP,
> do they supply a PCI ethernet card and check the hardware
> address of the card before allowing a lease?  i ask this
> last question because the old machine has no PCI slots...

They gave me a PCI ethernet card (Kingston KNE30T) and a
dsl/atm/ethernet router (Efficient Networks SpeedStream 5660).  They
told me that they had ISA cards if that was what you needed.  I've got
dynamic IP service, and all I had to do was put the ethernet card into
the kernel and install dhcpcd.  It was easier to configure than dialup -
dhcpcd does everything for you (at least on Debian).

The Win98 requirement is disturbing - the tech that came to my house
didn't say anything about this and had it setup on Win95 in about 15
minutes.  Maybe they're just checking that you have a legal copy of your
OS?

Anyway, all you need from them for Linux is to set up your wires and
give you the splitters.  You don't even need the router if you're going
to use a Linux box for this, but I would certainly take it.  You also
are signing up for a year of service with their free install promo.
They didn't mention this that I remember, but I think I saw it in some
fine print later.  If you drop it at less than a year, I believe they
bill you the ~$200 install fee.

HTH,
Steve