Topic: PPPoA

[Ray Young]

I want to switch to an ISP that uses ATM DSL.  Is there a PPPoA modiule available?  How can I do this?

[%sig%]

[Peter]

I've done this recently using a Netgear DG814 modem/router with great success

[Arne]

I gues one way of saying it is that you can not connect a e-smith to a pppoa connection, this will have to be done indirectly.

In my home I am using a Netopia router modem that I believe warks much the same way as the Netgear DG814 (that I only know from this link:
http://www.adslguide.org.uk/hardware/reviews/2002/q4/netgear-dg814.asp )

When you are installing a pppoa router modem (like my Netopia) in front of a e-smith ar an replacement for an pppoe connection what actually happen is that the pppoa modem/router takes over some of the functions that were performed by the e-smith before.

Using pppoe, the login can be performed from the PC. NAT fuctionality and firewalling is also performed by the e-smith PC.

Using PPPoA the login, the NAT fuctionality and the firewalling will (could) be performed by the PPPoA router modem.

Some and most older PPPoA modems work only in routing mode, that means that they just deliver an internal ip adresses to the network port inside. My Netopia modem is of that type. I believe that there is some newer PPPoA modems that also can work in bridging mode, which meen that they will deliver the external ip to the connected PC, the e-smith as an exsample.

So if you are using a PPPoA modem in routing mode an then a e-smith gatway at the inside of the PPPoA modem (that will also contain a router) you will actually have two router/firewalls connected in series.

If you on the other hand are using the PPPoA modem in a bridging mode things will be working more like "normal" for a PPPoE connection, I believe. (Except for that the logon will be from the modem itself.)

The way I use my PPPoA connection is as a modem/firewall/gateway and as an replacement for the e-smith in this role. Then I use the e-smith in server only mode at the LAN and at the inside of the PPPoA modem/gateway.

Just try to explain how I have experienced my "PPPoA problem". If I should be wrong, please note me !!

Some newer PPPoA modems has the option of operating in a routing/firewalling mode or a bridging mode. I don't know if the Netgear DG814 can do this. The article does not mention anything about this. The configuration excample that is in the article seems to use the olt type routing configuration.  By the way my Netopia modem is now running very nice and without a problem, but it's command based configuration shell is rather terrible so I will not recomend it because of this. The web based interphase of the Netgear looks much bether. (But if I should buy a nw ppoa modem I would check if it can run in bridging mode as well.)

[Arne]

Found some datas here. Looks like the Netgear modem can run in routing mode only and that it can work as an nat router / firewall in the same way as the e-smith. (So this can be replaced or "doubled")

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/DG814.asp?view=

[Arne]

Think this wendor has some "bridging also" pppoa modems:
http://www.zywall.com/index_zywall.php

[Sam]

Did not have much luck with the DG814, it wanted to do too much and according to support did not have a bridged mode. It worked but I could not get it going with a VPN/NAT transversal.  My preference is the DM602 - only one RJ45 port then let e-smith do its work and then use a switch.

[Graeme Fleming]

Gee guys read the manual on the DG814 - it has the ability to forward connection requests to a DMZ server; set this up and then the router/modem does the PPPoA connection and let the SME in public/private gateway mode to provide the firewall.

Of course you could always double NAT your system (my preference) by not using the DMZ option but just port forward those ports/services that are required to be public to the SME gateway.  Benefit is the router stops all manner of garbage from hitting the SME box reducing the amount of rubbish that it has to deal with.

If you want more stuff, such as modem /isdn failover, then get an ADSL modem and a Netgear  FR328 - this is my personal setup and it works a treat.

[Arne]

I do not understand completely why, but the vpn connection did not work trough my Netopia routing modem either, even though I had forwarded the proper ports.

[Rick Jones]

Ray

You can in fact connect SME directly to PPPoA with a suitable PCI card. I've done this successfully using a Pulsar from Traverse. I've wrapped up the drivers and setup I use, you're welcome to download it from:

http://www.activeservice.co.uk/sme-contribs/adsl/e-smith-pulsar-adsl-0.2.tgz

There is at least one other PCI ADSL card out there with Linux support, but the configs are a bit different and I've never tried setting one up.

If you use this, please let me know how you get on!

Rick Jones

[ChrisG]

Question: When the Westell modem is run in bridged mode does it effectively *stop* providing any firewall functionality?

[tbcomp]

I'm confused!

I'm in the UK!

They dont necessarily go together!

I'm finally getting broadband on Friday - wires only from BT.

I have bought an Alcatel Speedtouch Home Modem/router.

Currently I use dialup via ISDN and then update my IP through Dyndns. Works great.

What do I do to use the modem/router and retain the dyndns IP updating.

Any ideas or a howto will help.

Currently running 5.6, but just wait until I get my 1Mb ADSL working!

TIA

Tony

[jacomms]

Hi ....the link to your Pulsar ADSL is broken ...do you have another link???  Im in Australia and run this PIC card .....I have just changed over to SME.

Many Thanks

Justin

Ray

You can in fact connect SME directly to PPPoA with a suitable PCI card. I've done this successfully using a Pulsar from Traverse. I've wrapped up the drivers and setup I use, you're welcome to download it from:

http://www.activeservice.co.uk/sme-contribs/adsl/e-smith-pulsar-adsl-0.2.tgz

There is at least one other PCI ADSL card out there with Linux support, but the configs are a bit different and I've never tried setting one up.

If you use this, please let me know how you get on!

Rick Jones

[rickjones]

Hi ....the link to your Pulsar ADSL is broken ...do you have another link???  Im in Australia and run this PIC card .....I have just changed over to SME.

Sorry, I've had to re-arrange my server. This (and some others) can now be found at http://contribs.activeservice.co.uk