DSL Tweaking

[Guy Fraser]

edwarner99 at yahoo.com wrote:

>I know that Linux if pretty efficient at optimizing
>DSL connections and speed, but was wondering if there
>are any "tweaks" to be aware of to speed up downloads?
>
Be very careful.

Most DSL modems are customised to work with a spefic telco.

Although there may be a few different makes of modems supported 
by a telco's equipment, not all DSL modems will work. The ISP 
I work for sells our own DSL over "bare copper" in some places 
and we also resell our regional telco's DSL where it is available.

If you update the firmware in your modem with firmware that is 
incompatable with the DSL Access Multiplexer {DSLAM} it talks 
to, then you will have no connection.

We also put a Non-Routable IP on our customers DSL modems in order 
to help with trouble shooting. We also use the IP on the modem to 
ensure the cutomer has a good connection. If our monitoring system 
is not able to ping the modems IP for a specified amount of time, 
an outage alert is broadcast. If the customer has paid for 
monitoring we contact them in order to determine the problem and 
get a repair team out as soon as possible. If we get multiple 
outages from the same wiring centre, we call the telco in order to 
get the problem solved as soon as possible.

If your ISP puts an IP on your modem and you change it or loose it 
your ISP will no doubt be aware that you were messing around with 
the modem. If your modem no longer works with their equipment, and 
you have messed with the modem, you will not likely be eligible for 
a replacement, and will probably have to buy a new one.

Play safe.