ISDN, DSL, cable Modem quandry

[prz]

regarding PPPoE: it's not that bad, just don't install anything on your machine, buy a small LinkSys router that does the PPPoE internally and exposes standard Ethernet and DHCP to you. Works like a charm, you'll never even notice.

On the other hand: had @home in rural new jersey (cable) and boy, it was GREAT! Have DSL from PacBell now and when it works, is almost comparable.  But stuff's down a LOT.

[whels1]

 

Originally posted by Nash:
Cable, DSL, ADSL, T1, 14.4 whatever.

Just do *NOT* use RoadRunner for AH.

 i have roadrunner and i never go over 65 ping to HT unless a router goes out somewhere.

whels

[funked]

ISDN is not as fast as Cable or DSL but for playing online games it is more than adequate.  However the hardware and service are expensive.  But if you have a good ISP you will get a smooth consistent connection.

[AKDejaVu]

I've been using a 512k/512k DSL line for some time now.  Skuzzy's post pretty much sums up all of the considerations.

Another thing to consider is terms of use agreements.  Some cable/dsl providers don't allow dedicated servers.  Fortunately, I have no such agreement so my web server sits at my computer desk.  It was a major factor in my decision.

Cable Vs DSL is hotly debated wich-is-better debate.  The truth is, you should go with whatever has the best support and is the best price in your neighborhood.

Some questions to ask if you are looking into DSL:[list=1]

• Do they have static ip addy's.  You want a static adress if at all possible.  Se Skuzzy's post above for other IP qestions.
• Does the price include ISP service.  DSL is provided several different ways.  Sometimes it includes ISP service and other times you have to find your own ISP.  The ISP you find must have an agreement with the company providing the DSL connection.  This was a big issue in my area.
• What are the available up/download options.  If you want to host games, you will want the greatest upload capability possible.  You'd be amazed at how many restrict uploads to 128k.[/list=a]
  
  I don't know much about Cable, so I can't really help you there.  I do know that I have not regretted getting DSL for one single day of the two years I've had it.
  
  AKDejaVu
  
  [This message has been edited by AKDejaVu (edited 01-15-2001).]

[Vulcan]

About the static IP question/servers: Theres a very cool Dynamic naming service you can use called tzo.com . Check it out, its cheap, works great, and supports a wide variety of platforms and connections.

Heres a good story (laugh) for you ISP guys. I can't get DSL or Cable or ISDN, so I use a mixture of dialup and satellite, and have 2 phone lines (1 dedicated to my PC).

About a month ago I shifted house. Moved in, everythings being going great til today. Then all of a sudden my PC disappears off the net. I get my wife to turn the modem speaker up and hear a disconnected tone on the line.

So I ring my telco. Guess what... their records show that they were unable to get access to the premises for a month to connect the 2nd line (yes the one that had been working fine for a month) so they cancelled the job and disconnected the line today.

[PakRat]

Damn! I guess I'm still back in the dark ages with a 56k modem.

On the other hand, I have AT&T as an ISP and the connects are fantastic! I get great pings, virtually no spiking unless the net itself is storming, and the bandwidth is plenty for both AH and RW. It works like a champ.

Maybe my connects are getting better as all you guys clog the cable, DSL, and ISDN lines.  

But forget the satellite for gaming. The data transfer speeds themselves are great. The problem comes in the latency of requests. You send data and it has to boune however many miles up in space to the satellite, get cued up and then sent back down to its controller, then over the net. All the lag of the net and then some. Since data is going both directions, you get screwed twice. However, once the data gets flowing, sure the speeds are fine. Great for downloads. Terrible for low-latency gaming.

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Rape, pillage, then burn...

[Tac]

"Is the IP address a 10.x.x.x address? If yes, then avoid the ISP, if you can. Why? 10.x.x.x addresses are not routable over the Internet, which simply means the ISP is using a proxy server to handle all your Internet requests. Proxy servers are computers that do slow down as more users attach to the Internet"

My cable modem has that. What can I do? My isp options are very limited