[Ham-Computers] RE: Setting up home network

Tue Sep 13 14:54:24 EDT 2005

Phil,

I switched from Pacbell ISDN to SBC DSL last December.  If your ISP *is*
currently SBC, then the switch-over from dial-up to DSL will be relatively
painless.  If you are with Pacbell and never switched to SBC/Yahoo service,
then there will be several steps to take along with the switch-over.  To
answer your questions...

1a.  DSL operates from about 100KHz to 1MHz using multiple carriers.  The
further you are from the Central Office (CO) (or a Remote Terminal (RT)),
the more attenuation there is on the line and the fewer carriers you'll be
able to use - this lowers bandwidth.  If you're within 2000 feet you're
almost guaranteed the maximum bandwidth available (or the most you're paying
for).  The current max offered by SBC is 6Mbps downstream (DS), 768Kbps
upstream (US), but you pay through the nose for it.  Between 2000 feet and
10,000 feet, most are able to get at least 1.5Mbps DS, maybe 3Mbps if you
have good lines.  Between 10,000 and 18,000 feet, you should be good between
384Kbps 768Kbps DS.  SBC currently does not offer service if you're beyond
18,000ft.  These bitrates are *highly* dependent on the quality of the
copper reaching your house...if you have a poor line, the rates will be
lower.  I'm at 19,300ft and get 384Kbps DS - I got lucky as SBC was still
offering service out to 20,000ft at the time, but they no longer offer new
service this far as it's not very reliable.  As for noise, there shouldn't
be much as long as you're using good quality CAT5 cable or better.

1b.  The current SBC promotion for $14.95 a month for the first year should
be the "DSL Express" package at 1.5Mbps DS, 384kbps US.  This doesn't mean
that you'll actually get this bandwidth (due to distance), but you should
make sure that it is offered if you're within range.  Sometimes, the sales
staff will sell you a "starter" profile rather than the "Express" profile.
The "starter" profile is 192Kbps DS, 128Kbps US.  Once you get everything
setup, you need to leave the modem on for 10 days - during this time, SBC's
diagnostic equipment determines the fastest *reliable* link speed you can
achieve and will finalize your profile based on the results.

2a.  I believe the "starter" package currently includes a SpeedStream 5100b
modem/router (it's what I got last December).  It also comes with all the
SBC "fluff" software.  My suggestion is to *NOT* install the "fluff" as you
don't need it.  There are some manual steps needed to get to the DSL
"registration" page if you don't install the "fluff", but it's not too
difficult.  Currently, all MAC users go through these steps as SBC does not
have MAC startup software.  The 5100b is a combination modem/router, but it
only supports a single connection on the "LAN" side.  Don't bother with
their "Wireless" starter package...there are too many problems reported with
the 2Wire routers that SBC uses.

2b.  You can get cheap ethernet cards based on Realtek chipsets new for
<$10, but I suggest you go to the next HAM swapmeet or computer fest (with
used equipment) and look for something based on the Intel Pro/100 chipset.
There are a ton of these at swaps and they sell for $2 to $5 and are much
more reliable and "faster" than the Realtek crap.  Just look for NICs with a
large, square "Intel" chip marked with 82557, 82558, or 82559.  The most
common ones I've found are pulls from retired Compaq Deskpro systems - these
might have a label like Compaq NC3120, NC3121, or Netelligent 10/100.  Same
as the Intel Pro/100 series, but house branded.   The 82559 based cards have
the most features, but any of them are excellent values, esp for $5.  Buy a
few just in case you find a dud.  If you find an Pro/100 "S" card, these are
a steal as the "S" cards are designed for servers - they off-load most of
the network functions and reduce host CPU usage (meaning, they allow the
PC's CPU to do other things rather than manage network traffic).  Let me
know if you can't find any before the 24th of this month and I'll pick up a
few at the TRW swapmeet here in L.A.

3.  Yes, you'll need a router if you wish to connect more than one PC to the
5100b.  My recommendation would be a Linksys WRT54G (or GS) - it's only a
few bucks more than a non-wireless router and will give you the option if
you decide to go wireless.  You can always turn off the wireless
capabilities (and you should if you won't be using it).  Make sure to get a
newer model with the "one button" setup for wireless - there's a label
advertising the feature on the box.  A non-Linksys alternative is the
Netgear WGR614 (or WGR624).  I use to recommend D-Link, but have had nothing
but problems with D-Link equipment the past couple years.

4.  Just get the WRT54G(S) router.  It's well proven, well supported
(including 3rd party firmware), and relatively cheap.  By "well supported",
I mean that there are many people out there that can work most issues you
might run into - none of the SOHO router companies have good Tech Support
lines, so don't bother calling them unless absolutely necessary.

5.  (OK, you only listed 4 questions, but this one's important).  If you
have a 2.4GHz cordless telephone, it may interfere with WiFi as they operate
in the same spectrum.  More likely, the WiFi will interfere with your
cordless conversations (occasional "blips" if you have a digital phone,
noise pulses if you have an analog phone).  If you wish to use WiFi, switch
to a 900MHz or 5.8GHz digital cordless phone.  Make sure it's fully 900MHz
or 5.8GHz as there are some hybrid cordless phones that use 2.4GHz on the up
or down link.

And, Phil, if you need additional help setting it up, e-mail me and I'll
help walk it through with you.

For general reference, www.dslreports.com is a *great* resource to research
ISP's, modems, routers, settings, broadband "tweaks", etc.  SBC has a
presence there and the SBC techs are able to do some things "behind the
scenes", so-to-speak, to fix some problems or bump-up connect speeds.

73 all,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {athsu}@nbcuni.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 9:04 AM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Setting up home network

Hello,

My ISP (SBCglobal) is presently offering me DSL service for the same 
price as I'm presently paying for their dial up (good for a year).  I've 
decided to take them up on it. Since all I've used for the past 6-7 
years is dial-up, I have a couple questions at least one of which I'm 
sure customer support wouldn't be able to help with.

1.  Since it's higher speed than regular dial-up, and uses the phone 
lines, I'm certain that that it must operate in the LF RF range.  Does 
anyone here know approximately what frequencies the DO use for DSL 
service.  I suspect it may affect my LF work (longwave beacons) at least 
to some degree.

2.  They include a "starter package" for the cost of shipping.  This 
includes the DSL modem, software etc.  They state that some computers 
may require the installation of an Ethernet card (they're pretty cheap 
now).   I KNOW that mine will need it.  They also offer a "Wireless Home 
Networking kit" that is very cheap after the rebates, but I don't think 
I want to go "wireless" to my second computer  that my XYL uses for 
Email (and which will also require a Ethernet card).

3.  So the question is, to network these two machines together (600MHz P 
III running Win XP Pro and a 200MHz PII running Win98se) I will need TWO 
Ethernet cards and SBC's provided DSL starter kit.  WILL I ALSO need a 
router to tie this all together?  I suspect I will.

4.  Is there anything special I need to look for in a router, in other 
words, any "gotcha's"?

73 de Phil  KO6BB