[plug] broadband with linux

[Tomasz Grzegurzko]

On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 3:04 AM, Dem N <dn.whatever at gmail.com> wrote:
> plug question:
>
> Hi, I'm researching broadband, because I'm getting a little tired of dialup,
> and I'd like to know what people would recommend.
>
> Basically I want about 1G at any broadband speed (I'd prefer cheaper to
> faster) with shaping (I want to ensure there are no excess fees), and I'd
> like to keep it to under $30 a month. I could get a Vista laptop, but I'd
> rather use Linux, so compatibility with Linux is virtually a must, and
> support, if possible, would be good, though it looks like no one offers
> this.

The only other plan you may wish to examine is amnet's ->
http://www.amnet.com.au/
$29 a month, but no VOIP in this case. I'm sure VOIP will save you
money on your phone bill.

>
> So far, the best deal seems to be iinet's package of 2Gb (peak) naked DSL
> with bundled VOIP ($50 combined with phone; my usual phone bill is $35 so
> that's just $15 for good broadband). I've checked with them, and my line is
> compatible with naked DSL, so there's no problem there. The only thing
> holding me back is really that (1) Is it definitely Linux compatible? I'm
> using Fedora Core 4, but could upgrade to Fed 7 if needed. (2) They have an
> irritating way of doing phone messages (it sends a .wav file to your email
> address). Has anyone had any experience with iinet's VOIP, using their own
> (non-iinet) VOIP phone with an answering machine, and does it work?

1/ Linux compatiblity is no problem. Get a modem with an ethernet
port. If your Linux box speaks TCP/IP over ethernet (and i'd be
shocked if it did not) then you're fine.
2/ Yep iiNet voip works okay for us. You can either leave the messages
on the phone and check it the old fashioned way ;) or have a wave file
email.

>
> Also, can anyone tell me of any decent rival offers?

As above, check amnet. They're your nearest I'd say.

>
> Also, no one seems to provide an installation CD for Linux. Is it
> technically difficult to install broadband, and roughly what does it
> involve? Are there any websites that give good general guides to this?

Forget the CD. Let your ADSL modem do DHCP, and it's all good. Your
best bet if you get stuck will be in the ADSL modem user guide, so
perhaps you'd like to check which modem you'd like to buy first, but
pretty much as long as it has an ethernet port (1 or more) you're
fine.

I can suggest the Netgear DG834GV -
<http://www.netgear.com.au/Products/RoutersandGateways/GWirelessRouters/DG834GV.aspx>.
It's a combined wired, wireless, VOIP, modem, router.
Bear in mind with Naked DSL your telephone will have to plug in to
your ADSL modem, not your phone wall sockets, so there may be some
wiring in it for you.

>
> regards,
> Dem Nisbet.

Tomasz