DSL :: DSL on PPPoE

DSL BASICS | DSL SECURITY | DSL on PPPoE

Some DSL providers (notably, SBC and Verizon) use the PPPoE ("Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet") technology for DSL. This technology allows you to "dial out" via the DSL link, as if it were a phone line. Our recommendation is to avoid if at all possible. The main problems with PPPoE are

PPPoE is often hard to configure.
PPPoE frequently leads to problems because the computer may use MTU (maximum transfer unit) different from the "standard" 1,500 used with the Ethernet standard.
Finally, PPPoE software provided by ISP's often just works poorly.

What to do if you are stuck with PPPoE:

If you can not avoid using PPPoE we would strongly recommend not using the software provided by your ISP, but instead buying a PPPoE-capable router, connecting it to your DSL modem and then connecting your computer(s) to the router (that is inserting the router between your computer and the DSL modem). The router typically costs between $40 and $100.

In addition to all the benefits listed above (see security considerations), the router scenario will provide for a much easier installation and compatibility with multiple operating systems (e.g. Linux, MacOS X, etc) - not just MS Windows.

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