[TriLUG] Verizon Online DSL and Linux

[Geoffrey Douglas Purdy]

On Tue, 11 Dec 2001, Robert Floyd wrote:

> > Point 2: look closely; it's probably an introductory offer with a
> > contract for 6-12 months;  your rate will probably go up to ~$50 at
> > some point in the future
>
> Probably true

According to the sales literature, the price goes up to $49 after three
months which still seems competitive.  No contract and no activation fee.
It's probably worth mentioning that I have home and wireless phone service
with Verizon already - this may effect the terms of DSL service.  I figure that
if MSN or Earthlink dial-up will cost me $22 I might as well pay the
additional cost for DSL.


>
> > Point 3: setup; Earthlink had the same type of marketing blurbs;
> > here's a good test: call customer support to see if Linux is
> > supported or if they are aware of anyone using Linux with their
> > service  (my guess is that the cust. svc rep. will not know what you
> > are talking about);  you'll probably need a DSL/cable router with
> > PPPoE capability
>
> Actually, that seems to be a common myth around here. I've been running
> Verizon DSL for several months, and it works just fine with my Linux notebook
> with no PPPoE. There was 0 setup for me; I just plug in the cable and connect
> directly with no manual setup.
>

I'm hoping to do the same.  Just plug my Linux notebook in and go with
minimal
additional equipment.  I'm willing to spend some time doing configuration as long as
I'm confident that it can be done successfully under Linux.  If I need to
buy a bunch of equipment or if configuration is a giant headache, I'll
probably scrap the DSL idea and just get a dial-up account somewhere for
~$20 a month.


> > Point 4: Most people in the US use cable; any reason not to consider
> > cable?  DOCSIS1.1 compliant equipment wil be deployed soon and that
> > should fix the bandwidth sharing problems with cable;
>
> Perhaps because Time-Warner is even more evil than Verizon? <g> Or because
> some of us prefer satellite TV to cable. ;-)
>

A major criteria for me is avoiding a service contract.  I'll likely be
leaving the area in ~6 mos. so I don't want to sign up for a full year.

Thanks for the feedback.

Geoff