aDSL compatibility

[johnny]

Are aDSL modems interchangeable or are you locked into a
particular model for the DSL service that you're using?

 

[Rod Speed]

Are aDSL modems interchangeable
Yes.

or are you locked into a particular model
for the DSL service that you're using?

Nope.

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Are aDSL modems interchangeable or are you locked into a
particular model for the DSL service that you're using?

Most ISP's have an approved list of devices that they support.

If you try to use a device that is not on their "approved" list then they
can, and usually, do refuse to activate it

 

[kony]

Are aDSL modems interchangeable or are you locked into a
particular model for the DSL service that you're using?

You are not locked into a particular model but are locked
into one they support, because they must be able to upload
the settings information (such as bandwidth caps) to it via
preconfigured file(s) for what they're supporting.

 

[Rod Speed]

Most ISP's have an approved list of devices that they support.

If you try to use a device that is not on their "approved" list then they can, and usually, do
refuse to activate it

No they dont, they just dont support it in the sense
that you are on your own configuring it etc.

 

[Mitch Crane]

You are not locked into a particular model but are locked
into one they support, because they must be able to upload
the settings information (such as bandwidth caps) to it via
preconfigured file(s) for what they're supporting.

I'm not aware of DSL modems that work like that, though there may be some.
Sounds like cable modem. There are DSL modems that either aren't compatible
with some systems or can be difficult to setup on a system they weren't
intended for.

 

[kony]

I'm not aware of DSL modems that work like that, though there may be some.
Sounds like cable modem. There are DSL modems that either aren't compatible
with some systems or can be difficult to setup on a system they weren't
intended for.

So the DSLAM determines the DSL/ADSL tier of the subscriber
actively with a handshake on each connecton?

I'm not doubting you, but was under the impression it was
picked up after every boot.

 

[Mitch Crane]

So the DSLAM determines the DSL/ADSL tier of the subscriber
actively with a handshake on each connecton?

I'm not doubting you, but was under the impression it was
picked up after every boot.

Well, I don't know all the ins and outs, but with DSL you are directly
connected to a card at the CO/RT. As far as I know, that's where
provisioning happens.

The connection speed with my Seimens Speedsteam when I used DSL was
negotiated when the modem was connected to the line. It was a hard
connection speed similar to what you get with an analog phone modem. If you
had a bad line it might connect at a lower speed than the maximum you were
provisioned for and you could see that in the modem logs. If the line was
good the RT would negotiate at the maximum speed provisioned for. The ISP
never asked for a MAC address and I could swap modems with a neighbor and
the service would work the same even if we had different provisioning.

I use cable now and, yes, the ISP has much more control over my equipment.
They upload config files and firmware when they need to, and they can
control whether I can even see the logs or not.

 

[Mitch Crane]

Well, I don't know all the ins and outs, but with DSL you are directly
connected to a card at the CO/RT. As far as I know, that's where
provisioning happens.

Mistyped there. You are connected to a pin, not your own card. The point
being, you have a dedicated circtuit.