Question about "extended DSL"

[karlrschneider]

We are way out in the boondocks and had nothing but dialup until very recently...the phone co has just made "extended DSL" available and we are just barely inside the loop distance. So I have it on order, they're supposed to come out Tuesday to install a "new jack" as was explained to me.

So my question is...does this amount to a "second line" (that is, another pair from the CO?)

A friend, who really knows even less than I do about this stuff said while ago that they can just install 2 jacks if we want to run 2 computers which we do. I don't see how that could be done...even if we
had DSL modems on EACH machine, could they -both- be on line at the same time? I'm pretty computer literate but I know zip about DSL...

[RoyGBiv]

1. Not a second line ...

Extended-DSL should be taken mostly literally. The telco company has developed technology that allows them to extend the distance they can offer DSL. Without getting into the technical side of it, the telco company will be using an existing twisted pair line to offer up to three separate voice lines, a data line, and, eventually video. It's basically a method of effectively increasing the bandwidth available without having to lay new line. If I understand the particulars correctly -- and I may not -- what they'll be installing is a new protector box on the outside of your home. I'm not sure why you'd need a new jack unless the wiring in your home is very old or you need one closer to your computer.

Your transfer speeds will be lower than typical DSL connections. I think the max right now is 1.5 Mb/s downstream with effective speeds probably lower, but this is still much faster than a dialup.

You're right in thinking you can't just plug two computers into an outlet and go. The DSL modems are plugged into the outlets, which are then plugged into the network port of your computer. I suppose you could have two modems at the same address, which would mean two different IP address and two different DSL "accounts." I don't know of a telco company that offers this as a practical solution for a residence, however. (I could be wrong on whether this is offered now because I haven't checked in awhile.) It'd be cheaper just to connect both your computers to the same line via a router. Connect the modem to the router and the router (wireless or hardwired) to the network ports on the computer. Both could then be online at the same time, but they'll share bandwidth.

P.S. Is this SBC?

[karlrschneider]

2. It's Valor Telecom...a small and somewhat crappy phone co

What's a protector box...is that like the regular interface box? I've hooked up thousands of phones and I know about pairs etc. What I don't get is just exactly what they are going to hook this "new jack" to. (I asked the guy who seemed to be fairly knowledgable, if it's a standard RJ11 jack and he said yes but it won't have a dialtone so that's why I was wondering if it was some kind of dedicated pair that terminated in a data port of some sort. If they aren't using another hardwire 'pair' then where's the connection? Is it possible this "new jack" is just downstream from a regular "DSL Filter" and the idea is that it can be isolated with just 1 instead of installing them on all the other ones?
I have a sackful of them...well thanks for the reply, I guess I'll find out more in a few days!
;-)

[salvorhardin]

3. I think the other poster was referring to the network interface

(as it's called in telco speak)

This is the little (probably gray) box on the outside of the house that the phone line runs into from the pole. I also don't see why you would need a new jack inside the house.

[karlrschneider]

4. Yeah, that's exactly what I'm wondering about.

We have about 15 devices on the line, including caller ID boxes and we've added probably half a dozen RJ11 jacks ourselves to accomodate them (most have RENs of 0.1 or less) I just can't figure out what and why this new "connection" is gonna be. Thanks.

[RoyGBiv]

6. Valor ...

It is possible they are going to be installing an internal voice port (IVP), which doubles as the modem. I think I recall that Valor uses these, and whoever you talked to may have become accustomed to calling them jacks to avoid having to explain it.

That's a guess, but the only thing I can come up with that makes sense to me.

[karlrschneider]

7. Oh, well that's something I never heard of (IVP)...and now that you mentio

mention it, they didn't say anything about a modem. I'm supposed to be getting a router (for an extra $60) which I expected would be needed...but the timing is a little tight because they're supposed to be here next Tues to install "the jack" so it would have to arrive Monday to be available. Well, I guess I'll know more in ~72 hours. :D
Thanks

[lpbk2713]

8. Sounds like they are installing a loop extender of some sort.

And they are handing it off to you as a 4-wire instead of a 2-wire circuit which would require an RJ-45 type jack. Your router would interface with a 4-wire connection.


:thumbsup:

[RoyGBiv]

5. Yeah, NIU ...

This phone line installer I know calls them protector boxes for some reason, and I guess I picked it up. I was thinking NIU, and it came out as throatwarbler mangrove. :-)

[salvorhardin]

9. Don't you hate it when that happens?

Damn those colorless green ideas sleeping furiously. :-)