[TriLUG] help with Bellsouth DSL static IP

[Jason Tower]

> The configuration difference is simple.  The Westel is making a PPPoE
> (or PPPoA) connection to BellSouth for you, just as you presumed. 
> This is the default setup, and what they suggest, as far as I am
> aware.  You may be able to configure the Westel to do RFC 1483
> Bridging, and then your Linksys would need to do PPPoE and it would
> get your static IP address and you'd be in business.  I'm not certain
> if the Westel can do bridging - it should be able to, but I simply
> don't have much experience with it.  Generally the things I know
> about the Westel is that they hard-code the firmware with BS-specific
> settings - specifically the domain that gets tagged onto your
> username has to be @bellsouth.net which locks you into using their
> BBG service.  We often have to tell customers switching to us from
> BellSouth that not only to they *want* to get a new modem for
> stability reasons (the Westel is fairly crappy, from everyone I've
> ever heard from), but they *have* to because that one has been built
> specifically for use only with their service.  The more I type the
> more I realize it probably can't be a 1483 bridge or we'd be able to
> use it as well.
>
> So, as one solution, you can head over to your local Intrex and pick
> up a BestData DSL modem.  The retail cost is $99.99, but don't forget
> about your TriLUG discount - details available in the member section
> (http://members.trilug.org/benefit_info/).  That modem (which I use
> at home myself) is entirely capable of being a bridge so that your
> Linksys device can do the PPPoE negotiation and get the IP address
> you're looking for.
>
> Best of luck,
> Aaron S. Joyner

fwiw, the westell wirespeed dsl modem that came with my celito DSL 
service operates in bridge mode and has been solid as a rock.  just to 
give you another data point.

jason