Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with dsl and modem

Why can I use PING but not HTTP on a yet-to-be-activated DSL account?

j0hnpaul — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:15:09 -0800

Why can I PING with my new DSL modem on an inactive account, but nothing else? Hi! My new modem arrived for Verizon DSL service, but my "service ready date" hasn't arrived yet, giving me some time to muse and experiment.

I noticed that when I set up the modem and connected my Mac via an Ethernet cable, my Network Diagnostics show that the computer is connected to the internet and the connection is working properly. I noticed I can also PING google.com, verizon.com, or any other website from the Terminal with zero packet loss.

On the other hand, everything useful about the internet is closed. I can't access anything in a web browser, and attempting to run the software Verizon sent me to "activate my account" or "troubleshoot my connection" fails. I surmise this is related to trying this before the "service ready date".

But the fact that PING works from the command line, and I'm able to send and receive data across the internet, makes me wonder how real the "service ready date" is. If it's possible to communicate with sites via PING, why not through HTTP? What's really going on?

Out of the frying pan into the fire

mkb — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:19:47 -0800

I am in the process of switching from Comcast cable to Verizon DSL. I am trying to figure out the wireless situation in my house. So Verizon is offering a free netbook to new DSL subscribers, and I don't have any particular affinity for Comcast, so I decided to try it out.

With Comcast (which is actually still running), I have the following setup:
- Motorola cable modem
- Linksys WRT54g v 2.2 running Tomato and boosted output power

I have this unit set to forward BitTorrent, SSH, and icecast ports to one machine at home.

Verizon unexpectedly sent me a modem for my new service that also functions as a wireless access point and a router. It's a Westell 7500. It seems to be almost as configurable as my Linksys, and it looks like there is no need to boost the output power in order to get up to my office. The only missing feature appears to be DynDNS.com updating; the new router uses TSIG authentication which is only available on paid accounts, and I can just punt this to one of my computers.

So, is there anything I am missing that would be worth me keeping the Linksys around? Does this router have any hidden gotchas?

Modem slowing down and stopping?

Astro Zombie — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:54:02 -0800

Modem question. I currently am connected to the Internet via Qwest using DSL, using two Mac computers (one using the modem's wireless signal, one plugged in with an ethernet cord). Over the past few years, our connection has been slowing down and breaking regularly, which can be fixed by turning the modem off and back on, but now it slows down and stops about every few minutes. The modem is almost five years old and Qwest tells me it's probably breaking down.

My question is bipartite: Firstly, does this sound like it is likely the problem? Secondly, if so, what modem do you recommend we purchase. I would want to get a new one tomorrow, so I am not looking to order one from Qwest and have to wait for it to be delivered.

Thanks!

Help me with my internet annoyance.

zardoz — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:37:04 -0800

I sometimes have trouble with downloading via torrent: surfing becomes a slow crawl/not an option. I have a broadband DSL connection and I'll often download torrents via Transmission on my iMac.

The problem is with torrents: with either Transmission, or uTorrent I can go for several days, even longer than a week, but then suddenly surfing pages on a browser will slow to a crawl and then stop. Torrent downloading may or may not stop at that point, but eventually it stops too.

When this happens I unplug my DSL modem, plug it back in, wait a minute or two, and then I'm firing on all cylinders, torrent downloading and surfing are good for another week or so.

So how can I avoid this step? Settings in Transmission? Hack the modem?

Can I use my DSL modem/router to act only as a wireless router?

ocha-no-mizu — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:04:33 -0800

Can I use my DSL modem/router to act only as a wireless router? I'm replacing my DSL service with cable internet. Instead of paying for the cable company's wireless router, I'd rather use my existing DSL modem/router if I can. Is it as simple as plugging the cable modem into the DSL modem/router?

For what it's worth, my DSL modem/router is a 2wire 2700HG-B.

Comcast, from the gates of hell I spit at thee!

jadepearl — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:41:56 -0800

DSL in Minneapolis. Recommendations, experiences, ISPs of note. Comcast is awful. I get horrible digital service and the speed is nothing impressive. I am probably going to go satellite for cable but I need internet service that is fast, reliable and not too expensive. I have a wireless network in the house and use Apple TV. I do a lot of work online so lots of uploading and downloading.

I don't want to call India again...

wastelands — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:27:09 -0800

Why does my DSL connection keep dropping connections? I have a DSL connection from Qwest. The last couple weeks, I have seen the following:

* My connection with a torrent tracker drops (red arrows in uTorrent)
* My connection with an IRC server drops several times a day
* Often my browser will take a long time to start downloading web pages... I have to try the address again to "reset" it, otherwise it will just spin for a long time

No major hardware or software changes, except for minor stuff like upgrading VLC player, installing Chrome, the usual software changes. (Note: I'm on XP SP3... relatively fresh install, a few months old)

Normally I'd bug my ISP, but the last time I did that, they gave me a rated-limited modem. So instead of getting 5 Mb/s down, I was getting a third of that, and uploads were also slower. So I'm sticking with my old, but trusty, DSL modem from 2006. Is it just crapping out?

Is there anything I can do? I've tried unplugging power from the modem, waiting a minute, and plugging back in. Tried rebooting the computer. My overall speed for download/upload is the same as always, but it just keeps dropping connections.

Any help is appreciated!

Recommend a DSL modem

SECONDHANDSMOTE — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:43:29 -0800

Recommend a Speakeasy compatible DSL modem (in Portland, if that helps.) I need recommendations for a DSL modem that will work with Speakeasy's service in Portland, OR. I am getting service in a few days, but they're cutting me a deal and starting service almost right away because I 'own' my own hardware 'already'. They are using the "Broadxent 8012-V" Link and I'd like to purchase my own modem that is compatible with the same services.

I need a new old DSL modem!

ScarletPumpernickel — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:07:00 -0800

Help me find and buy a working Fujitsu/Orckit Speedport DSL modem in Los Angeles for use with Verizon DSL. DSL abruptly stopped working after many years of solid service. No reconfiguration of any kind. Stopped during heavy rain, which always seems to cause cable/phone probs in L.A.

Verizon puts me through variable isolation and troubleshooting by the numbers. Says the modem is most likely kaput, but won't replace the Fujitsu. They want to move us to ATM, cutting off our service for an additional week to ten days (!)

So I want to buy a replacement cheap crappy Fujitsu modem and get back to my surfing. I found several on ebay, but I'm going to end up waiting 7-10 days for delivery.

So who can sell me one in Los Angeles, fast?

Fujitsu/Orckit Speedport DSL modem (model ORfast-R3-A-SA-Br-POTS-US)

Thanks!

Why does my DSL blink on and off when in bad weather? How can I fix it?

needs more cowbell — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 09:50:01 -0800

Why does my DSL blink on and off when in bad weather? How can I fix it? It's not as straightforward as it seems... When it's raining--or even overcast and about to rain, or drizzling--my DSL goes out. But it doesn't totally go out--it'll work for a few seconds and then cut out, work for a few seconds and cut out. Resetting the connection or turning the modem off and on does nothing. My landline phone service is fine the entire time.

Last time it rained, I did some troubleshooting. I tried plugging the modem into the MAIN phone jack box outside the house and got a fast, perfect connection. When I tried it inside again, the connection was just as bad as before. Every phone jack inside my house was equally bad. And as usual, soon after it stopped raining, I got a perfectly decent connection with the modem plugged into an inside phone jack.

Questions:
1. Why does this happen?
2. How can I fix it besides trying to run phone wire out my window to the main outside jack? (Besides the inconvenience, in order to use the outside jack I have to disconnect the phone access to the rest of the house, and there's no space for a splitter inside the box.) The phone company is not so helpful, and if it's a problem with my wiring, it's not their responsibility anyway.

I've tried to look at the phone wiring in my house to see if there's a weak point (though I don't know why that would only make problems when it rains). It's definitely old, but it's hard to access and there's wiring for two lines plus an ancient alarm system (also hooked up to the phone line), so it's difficult to follow. I'm hoping there's something I'm overlooking that's easier to fix.

Which is a good DSL modem

Napierzaza — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 09:30:53 -0800

I want to get internet access in my apartment and I think DSL looks like a good idea. I live in Montreal and I think I'll need dry-loop (no phone line) to get it working. I'm going with a 3rd party (as in not Bell in Montreal Canada, not sure who yet) and I need to get my own DSL modem. Any recommendations? I saw a post that said Cisco 678 but that post was in 2004 so I'm not sure if that's still a good deal/idea. I don't need a router or wireless, and I'd like the best speeds and controllability as possible. Is the 678 still a good idea for just a simple modem? Or is there something better now?

Also there's a lot of choice for ISPs, so if anyone knows a good DSL provider, or even another cheaper net protocol service for me to get (with unlimited bandwidth) please suggest here too!

DSL basics. What hardware do I need?

vacapinta — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:06:12 -0800

SanFranciscoWiFi: I currently have DSL service with AT&T. It came with a DSL modem/wireless router thingy from 2WIRE. Can I replace the 2Wire? If so, what are my options? Please speak to me as if I were a child because in the area of networking, I am.

Help me find a cheaper Internet provider.

TwilightKid — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 11:52:31 -0800

I live in NYC, and had AOL for Broadband for my internet service provided to me through Time Warner. AOL recently waived their fee's and is now free. I am left paying Tie Warner about $45 bux a month for broadband service.....I wanna find something cheaper, yet just as fast and efficient... Who can point me in the right direction? IS DSL a safe route to go? I never really learned the difference between the two; (broadband and DSL). Are their cheaper services out there, but just as good?

What should I look for in a DSL modem?

Plutor — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 05:13:38 -0800

My DSL modem is fried and out of warrantee. ~~SNET~~ ~~SBC~~ AT&T wants $100 for me to buy a new one, or they'll give me a free one if I sign a new contract. I'll likely be moving in three months, and a hundred dollars is pretty pricey when I can find used ones on eBay for less than twenty. I'm pretty technical, but the problem is that I don't know G.DMT, G.Lite, or T1.413 from a hole in the ground. What requirements should I look for in a DSL modem to be sure that it's compatible? (I'm in Connecticut.)

Configuring a Zoom X3 5660A router/modem for Bit Torrent

Marquis — Sun, 08 May 2005 07:25:41 -0800

I recently bought a Zoom X3 5660A DSL router/modem/all-in-one to use with my Apple Airport Extreme Base Station for internet. Everything's working fine, except Azureus (Bit Torrent). Although I can download/share torrents, they've all got yellow smilies - and the configuration wizard shows a NAT Error when I test port 16881 (which I've configured Az. to use).

This, obviously, means that port forwarding isn't happening correctly. These are the things I've done so far:

1) I turned off Azureus' UPNP auto option, as suggested.

2) I changed my Azureus port to 16881, in case my ISP was blocking the default (6881).

3) Confirmed that the firewalls are off on the Airport and Modem/router.

4) I set up a static IP address by doing following some online instructions and doing this:

System Pref -) Network -) Airport -) TCP/IP
Configure: Manually
IP Address: 10.0.1.201
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router: 10.0.1.1
DNS Servers: 10.0.1.1

5) I configured my Airport's Port Mapping by adding a bunch of entries (16881-16889) like this:

Public Port: 16881
Private IP Address: 10.0.1.201
Private Port: 16881

6) I reset the airport.

Most of the forum-post support for configuring the Zoom X3 for BT is based on the 5660 modem, which has a "Virtual Server" button on the control panel which you can use to configure port forwarding. The 5660A does not have this feature. Sooo... I tried adapting these instructions, which are for another modem but were translatable.

8) I added IP Filtering rules, as here. (On my setup, unlike theirs, there were already many IP Filtering rules. Azureus didn't work any better with the existing ones + my new ones, the existing ones + only the BT-related one, or everything deleted except my three new rules.)

9) I added the NAT rule as here.

Anyway - no dice. Yellow smilies and NAT Errors.

At this point I've reset the modem/router to its default settings.

Some suspicions about things which still may be wrong:

A) On the IP Filtering page of my control panel, if I click the "Session" button, it states "IP Filter not enabled". I can't find anywhere that says "Enable IP Filter", though.

B) One of the problems may just be the interaction between my airport and the router side of the Zoom... Maybe I need to turn off its router features? I don't really know how to do this... I read somewhere that this was effected by "enabling Bridging", which I did, but that sort of broke everything and it's what spurred the hard-reset to defaults.

Sorry for all the complicated explanation - hopefully it's enough background that the problem can be solved by someone brilliant and insightful out there. Metafilter - please help me!

Setting up DSL

jdroth — Wed, 30 Jun 2004 11:15:16 -0800

The New House, part four: Help me set up my DSL. Please! [more inside, naturally enough] I've signed up for DSL through Qwest out here in Portland, Oregon. They shipped me a smallish, black Actiontec DSL modem/wireless router. It didn't detect the DSL signal.

They sent out a service tech, who was very helpful. He checked the line and told me, "The modem needs 8db to 'train up', and your line is showing 16db, which is pretty good for your distance from the C.O." He spent an hour futzing with things to no avail. He even tried two other Actiontec modems of the same model, but none of them detected the DSL signal.

Then he tried an older model (bigger, white, no wireless router). It got the signal fine. He left the older modem with me and told me to call him when the replacement modem new model arrived. Well, it arrived yesterday, but like its three brethren, it doesn't detect the DSL signal.

I e-mailed the tech support woman whose been helping me. She's not only crediting me for two months of free DSL (without my asking!), she's forwarding my problem to her brother, "a supervisor in the DSL center".

So what's my question?

Simple: Why does the older Actiontec modem detect the DSL signal, but the new models don't? The service tech was completely puzzled by it. The tech support woman says I can buy my own DSL modem, but she recommends that I buy Actiontec (they're the only brand officially supported by Qwest).

Which Actiontec DSL modem should I buy? Or — since I'm not really that concerned about owning an "officially supported" model — can you recommend other DSL modems I should consider?

[I'm a fairly techie guy. I have my own small computer consulting firm. I'm comfortable with both Macs and PCs. I'm fine tinkering with the internals of a wireless router, etc.]

p.s. Is the thing I'm calling a DSL modem actually a modem at all? Or is it simply a router? I mean, if I plugged my existing Linksys wireless router directly into the DSL line, would it work fine? Or is there some vital component needed to process the DSL signal?

Buying a DSL Modem

danwalker — Wed, 05 May 2004 17:52:17 -0800

I'm considering buying a DSL modem outright, to take care of that pesky rental charge each month from my ISP. Does the make and brand of modem make much of a difference in terms of reliability and speed, or are the ISP and phone lines in between more of a determining factor?