shopping for DSL...

[Ron Creamer]

In the past, I had Media One with a single IP address. I used Linux IP
Masquerading on a tired old box in order to allow the two computers at my
house to have full Internet access.

Media One's performance steadily degraded as more and more people in my
neighborhood subscribed to this shared media. Additionally, I often need to do
Microsoft Networking from home back to the office and it's damned near
impossible using IP Masquerading, samba BDC, etc. nightmare. It got to the
point where I couldn't stand the delays any longer and I went shopping for
DSL.

I was looking at DSL with two criteria in mind. One with faster than the
default speed, and I also considered a service that would allow me multiple
IPs (at a premium). I decided to go with Concentric DSL. For only $69/month, I
get 4 IPs, and very respectable speeds. The following is from their web-site:

                   ConcentricDSL HomeOffice is available at two speed levels.
Each level
                    has a download speed (the first number) and an upload
speed (second
                    number shown). Because it's priced at a flat monthly rate,

                    ConcentricDSL HomeOffice offers predictable billing,
unlike ISDN
                    services, which usually fluctuate as your usage patterns
change.
                    608Kbps / 128Kbps -- $69 per month
                    1.5Mbps / 384Kbps -- $89 per month

                    Multiple PCs can use a single connection.
                    With ConcentricDSL HomeOffice, you can use your connection
in ways
                    that were previously cost-prohibitive. For instance,
instead of having
                    separate dial-up lines for each PC, you can connect up to
four PCs to
                    the same service. While one user checks for incoming
e-mail, another
                    user can explore the Internet.

As far as it's being Linux friendly.. It's pure IP. No dhcp gimmicks or tricks
required. I'm running Linux here too.

They're installation was quick and easy. Believe it or not, Bell Atlantic
comes and installs the line. Once complete, Concentric's installer hooks you
up with the router/box.

No problems, complaints. Very reliable.

Of course, for a single IP address, you can do better, but if multiple IPs is
important and you don't want to mess with Linux Masquerading and Samba. I
heartily recommend it.

-Ron

Stephanie Springer wrote:

> area?)  There doesn't seem to be much difference in price, so I'm mostly
> looking for comments on customer service (and of course, whether or not
> they're linux-friendly.)  Thanks!

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