[Ham-Computers] RE: DSL/Cable port blocking?

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Good luck with this one.  Even companies as large as the one I work for have a difficult time getting port info from ISP's.  Many basically frown on VPN's as they consume a lot of bandwidth - the ISP would rather you get a business account or get a dedicated leased line (e.g. ISDN/T1/T3) rather than use DSL (more $$$).  One reason is that end users often end up calling the ISP's support line rather than their own IT department when problems occur with the VPN software.  The end-user can't tell the difference between an ISP and the VPN, so they end up calling the ISP for support.  So, to make it easy, many ISP's just use the blanket statement, "we don't support VPN's".

You might want to check DSLReports.com to see if there a a forum for the ISP in question.  Search the message archive and you might be able to gather enough info to build a table of blocked ports.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


p.s.  How about trying this.  Instead of using "VPN", call the ISP and say that you can't get one of your on-line games to work and need to know if ports xxx are blocked.  They can't use the blanket "don't support VPN's" line for this one...  =)



-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:47 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] DSL/Cable port blocking?

Speaking of which... is there any source anyone is aware of for details on what ports cable/dsl providers block?

We're having a lot of trouble with VPNs and suspect that there's some blocking going on.  Comcast and Verizon are of exactly zero assistance.

"Hi, I'm trying get get my VPN working and I need a port..."

SORRY - we don't support VPNs  [click]


"Hi, I know you don't support VPNs.  Which ports are blocked?"

SORRY - we don't support VPNs  [click]