DSL Gotcha

[David A. Bandel]

On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 17:53:06 -0700
"Net Llama!" <netllama at linux-sxs.org> wrote:

> On 07/19/03 17:43, Kurt Wall wrote:
> 
> > Hey, list,
> > 
> > I learned something interesting about DSL today. I was having lots
> > or intermittency problems with my DSL connection. A call to tech
> > support later, and it was fixed. Immediately. The solution: make
> > the RJ11 cable from the wall jack to the modem as short as possible.
> > The Ethernet cable can be as long as the protocol supports, but the
> > RJ11 cable needs to be very short, or the connection will be
> > unstable.
> > 
> > Go figger.
> 

It's more a function of the quality of the RJ-11 cable and the
connectors.  That said, RJ-11 cables you buy have very small guage wire
which affects the signal.  The DSL works using ATM frames.  At approx
5.5km (roughly 3 miles), quality, as measured by signal speed, begins
dropping off.  Signal quality is affected by all this and more.

I have a DSLAM installed (Lucent Stinger FS).  I test the lines
initially by running them full open and letting someone connect.  If a
short line (within the 5.5km) doesn't come up to 8Mb/1Mb, I know I'll
have trouble with the connection regardless of the throttled speed (the
closer to the throttled speed the original test was, the more trouble). 
Poor connectors in the closets, knicked wires, all make for problems. 
ATM is a PITA (and a POS too).  Stay as far away from it as possible
(let the telcos worry).

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
		Nemesis Racing Team motto
GPG key autoresponder:  mailto:david_key at pananix.com
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