| DSL Internet FAQ: | General Product Information Features and Capabilities Requirements Availability and Pricing |
| General Product Information | What is DSL technology? What is the difference between ADSL, SDSL, DSL, and xDSL technology? What is xDSL technology? Are there any known technical issues surrounding this product? Will this service replace the need for ISDN? The term Private Virtual Circuit or PVC is being used a lot around this product. What does the term mean? What is a POTS splitter and how does it work? How does the Network know whether I am placing a call or transmitting data? What does POTS mean and how does it work with DSL Internet Access as a newly featured product? What is an ATM Network? |
| Features and Capabilities | Will 24x7 support be offered for DSL Internet Access? What is the relationship between Nevada Bell Internet Services and Nevada Bell phone lines regarding DSL Internet Access? Will you support video conferencing and accessing private backbone networks via DSL technology? Can multiple users sign on to the Internet at one time with a DSL Internet account? Will you support faster transports such as HDSL or VDSL? What advantages does DSL Internet Access have over ISDN LAN? What is the difference between DSL technology and cable modem technology? Can I talk on the phone while connected to my DSL Internet line? Will I be assigned a dynamic IP each time I sign on? What hardware and/or software do I need to use Nevada Bell Internet Services' DSL Internet product? What kind of security tips does Nevada Bell Internet Services recommend for DSL Internet Access? |
| Requirements | What hardware and/or software do I need to use Nevada Bell Internet Services' DSL Internet product? I am not using your customized version of Netscape. What information do I need to configure my browser? Can I use my analog modem or terminal adapter with DSL Internet Access? Will I be able to install your dialup software if I have DSL Internet Access? What is a local loop and how does it affect my ability to get DSL Internet Access? |
| Availability and Pricing | When will this new technology be offered? Are there any provisioning restrictions or delays I should be aware of? I want to order this service. What do I do? Will I be able to bill DSL Internet Access to my phone bill? How much are the DSL Internet Access line usage fees? Do you have an annual pricing plan for the Enhanced DSL Internet Access product? I have decided to disconnect DSL Internet Access. Can I receive a credit for the rest of the month? |
- What is DSL Technology?
- The acronym DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. This new technology allows the high-speed transport of data to be sent over existing twisted copper telephone lines. There are many different types of DSL Internet service. Nevada Bell Internet Services offers ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). The ADSL product options will support information transfer rates of up to 1.5 Mbps downstream (from Nevada Bell Internet Services to a customer) and 128 Kbps upstream (from a customer to Nevada Bell Internet Services), or between 1.5 and 6 Mbps downstream and 384 Kbps upstream.
- What is the difference between ADSL, SDSL, DSL, and xDSL Technology?
- DSL, also known as xDSL, is the family name for all Digital Subscriber Line technologies. The term DSL encompasses products such as ADSL, SDSL, IDSL, HDSL, VDSL, RDSL, and many more. Currently the DSL technology used by Nevada Bell Internet Services is ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). ADSL is a transport that typically allows faster flow of information downstream than it allows for flow of information upstream.
- What is xDSL Technology?
- xDSL is the general term or family name for all DSL products. DSL technologies use high-end modulation processes to pack data, voice, and video onto copper wires. The difference between the different DSL technology products is rate of information transfer which is based on your distance from the local central office, also known as the "switch", and line frequencies in use.
- Are there any known technical issues surrounding this product?
- The most common problem is caused by incorrect TCP/IP configuration (IP, Gateway, Specified DNS), or a poorly installed TCP/IP stack. Please refer to your DSL welcome package for your specific TCP/IP settings.
- Will this service replace the need for ISDN?
- No. Use of ISDN versus DSL technology should be evaluated on a customer by customer basis. The value of DSL technology is highly dependent upon four criteria:
- The extent to which a customer would like to increase information transfer rates.
- The amount of time a customer must be connected to the Internet.
- The amount of money the customer is willing to pay for the upgraded service.
- The level of flexibility the customer needs with voice services.
- Customers who only access the Internet a few hours per month or utilize the dual-channel voice services of ISDN may find that ISDN is the most cost-effective choice. For most customers who are looking to primarily access the Internet, DSL technology will be the preferred choice.
- The term Private Virtual Circuit or PVC is being used a lot around this product. What does the term mean?
- PVC, or Permanent Virtual Circuit, is a Frame Relay network term used to describe a point-to-point connection from the customer site to Nevada Bell Internet Services. One of the customer benefits of a PVC is an "instantly available" connection to the Internet. There is no phone number to dial and no delay in establishing a connection. DSL Internet access includes a point-to-point "instantly available" connection to Nevada Bell Internet Services and thus, the Internet, much like a PVC in a Frame Relay network.
- What is a POTS splitter and how does it work?
- This device separates the voice portion of the DSL Internet line from the portion that will carry the DSL Internet data. A POTS splitter is also known as a low-pass/high-pass filter. The customer premise splitter allows two wires to activate phone jacks and the other two to activate data jacks. The splitter at the central office allows for separate POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and DSL Internet signals, which go to the PSTN (Public Service Telephone Network) and the DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Loop Access Multiplexer), respectively. Both splitters must be present and compatible to allow for simultaneous voice and data transmission.
- How does the Network know whether I am placing a call or transmitting data?
- The signal used for voice is different than the signal used for data transmission. A device known as a passive splitter or low-pass/high-pass filter is used to separate the POTS and DSL Internet signals onto different pairs (2 wires) which are eventually handled by separate Networks.
- What does POTS mean and how does it work with DSL Internet Access as a newly featured product?
- POTS is an acronym which stands for Plain Old Telephone Service. POTS lines, which generally consist of 2 to 4 wires, are what we use everyday to place phone calls and make analog connections to the Internet. DSL technology also uses POTS lines for Internet connectivity but with a different method. The difference in transfer speeds and overall functionality of the analog versus DSL technology does not reside in the line. Instead, the difference in product performance has to do with the difference in the line frequencies used for analog versus DSL technology (analog uses 3.4 kHz and DSL technology uses up to 1.2 MHz), the equipment (analog modem versus a NIC, bridge, splitter combination), and the Network configuration (Circuit Switch Network Vs Cell Relay Network).
- What is an ATM Network?
- An ATM Network is a network that runs according to the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocol. This transmission protocol outlines a means of transferring data on this Network. ATM data transmission requires the information be packaged into 53 byte cells (5 byte header and 48-byte payload). One of the reasons this protocol is so efficient is it allows different types of information such as voice, data, and video from different or same user(s) to be transmitted in the same cell. This makes use of every byte of space available on the Network at all times. Because it is an efficient transport, the bandwidth is higher with ATM than with other types of Network. ATM is generally used for megabit and gigabit bandwidths.
General Product Information
- Will 24x7 support be offered for DSL Internet Access?
- DSL Internet Technical Support by phone is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. DSL Internet Billing Support is also available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.
- What is the relationship between Nevada Bell Internet Services and Nevada Bell phone lines regarding DSL Internet Access?
- As an Internet Service Provider, we have negotiated with Nevada Bell to use their phone lines at DSL-enabled central offices. Currently, Nevada Bell will retain responsibility for the reliability of POTS lines, and DSL Internet central offices.
- Will you support video conferencing and accessing private backbone networks via DSL Technology?
- We will not support these activities via DSL technology at this time.
- Can multiple users sign on to the Internet at a time with a DSL Internet account?
- The number of connections you can make to the Internet at one time is limited by the number of static IP addresses you have. Basic DSL Internet Access comes with one dynamic IP address; therefore, you will only be able to make one connection to the Internet at a time.
- Will you support faster transports such as HDSL or VDSL Internet Access?
- HDSL (High-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line) technology supports a symmetric upstream and downstream information transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps. VDSL (Very high-data-rate Digital Subscriber Line) technology supports an upstream information transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps to 2.3 Mbps and a downstream information transfer rate of 13 Mbps to 52 Mbps. These transports as well as faster ADSL technology options have closer distance requirements (local loop restrictions) between the customer and the central office to allow for the faster speeds.
- What advantages does DSL Internet Access have over ISDN LAN?
- The following is a list of customer advantages DSL Internet Access has over ISDN LAN:
Features and Capabilities
Uses POTS line - DSL Internet Access makes use of the existing telephone line. This eliminates the need to install an additional phone line, much less a digital one. While there is still a fee, the fee is a flat rate, not based on usage.
Relative equipment cost - The cost of the equipment necessary to use DSL technology is relative to the cost of a terminal adapter.
Faster Speeds - The downstream speed of Nevada Bell Internet Services DSL Internet products (up to 1.5Mbps for Basic, and up to 6Mbps for the higher option) is 12 to 47 times faster than an ISDN LAN line.
Permanent Internet Presence - A static IP is provided with our Business and (coming soon) Enhanced DSL Internet service. This allows you a constant connection to the Internet. It also allows you to host your own Web sites and setup servers (FTP, mail, etc.) that can be continually accessed via the Internet. While establishing additional servers is done at an additional cost, this is a feature that is currently unavailable to analog, ISDN, and LAN ISDN customers.
What is the difference between DSL technology and cable modem technology?
DSL technology provides instantly available high-speed Internet access over a dedicated telephone line. Cable modems offer high-speed Internet access over a shared cable television
line.
DSL Technology Advantages
- Flexible enough to grow with the skills and interests of our users
- Customers can also use dial-up connections, and access services like email remotely
- DSL technology is as reliable as your phone
Cable Modem Disadvantages
- Privacy, since bandwidth is shared over the local cable network
- Cable modem services often do not support a virtual private network (VPN) which allows the user to connect to a corporate network.
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- Can I talk on the phone while connected to my DSL Internet line?
- Yes. One of the most appealing features of DSL Internet Access is your ability to use the same POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) line to speak and surf simultaneously. A passive splitter also known as a low-pass/high-pass filter, which separates the POTS and DSL Internet signals onto different wire pairs facilitates this function. The customer premise splitter allows two wires to activate phone jacks and the other two to activate data jacks. The splitter at the central office provides separate POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and DSL Internet signals, which go to the PSTN (Public Service Telephone Network) and the DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Loop Access Multiplexer), respectively. Both splitters must be present and compatible to allow for simultaneous voice and data transmission. To ensure customers have this functionality the DSL Internet Modem which can be purchased by customers from Nevada Bell comes with a splitter compatible with our Network.
- Will I be assigned a dynamic IP each time I sign on?
- Yes. One dynamic IP address will be provided to Basic DSL Internet customers.
- What hardware and/or software do I need to use Nevada Bell Internet Services' DSL Internet product?
- For hardware, you will need an Ethernet or ATM25 Network Interface Card (NIC), a DSL modem, and a network cable to connect the two. For more information about the specific hardware that Nevada Bell supports, please contact the DSL Internet Order Center at 888-884-2DSL for more details. For software, you will need a copy of our customized software.
- What kind of security tips does Nevada Bell Internet Services recommend for DSL Internet Access?
-
Nevada Bell Internet Services filters out all non-IP protocols for DSL Internet customers, however, this does not guarantee the security of your computer or LAN. If file and print sharing is not required on your computer or network, we recommend that you turn it off as a minimum security solution.
To do this for Windows 95/98 computers, please follow these easy steps:
- Click Start
- Click Settings
- Click Control Panel
- Double-click Network
- On the Configuration tab, click File and Print Sharing
- Uncheck the box next to "I want to be able to give others access to my files"
- Uncheck the box next to "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer"
If file and print sharing is required on your network, as a minimum we recommend you set passwords on your shared drives.
To do this for Windows 95/98 computers, please follow these steps:
- Click on the My Computer icon on your desktop
- Click once on the disk drive or printer (for printers you will first have to double click on the printers icon) that you want to share so that the icon is highlighted
- Click on File, then on Properties
- Click on the Sharing tab
- Click on the Access Type you want other users to have
- Then enter the password you want for that drive or printer
This solution does not guarantee your security. For more robust protection we recommend researching a firewall solution. Click here for online security resources.
- What are the hardware/software requirements for DSL Internet Access?
- DSL Internet system requirements are as follows:
*Note: For more information about the specific hardware that Nevada Bell supports, please contact the DSL Internet Order Center at 888-884-2DSL for more details.OS WINDOWS 3.1, 95/98 & NT 4.0 MACINTOSH (OS 7.0 OR ^ ) CPU 486 (Pentium recommended) 68030 RAM 8 MB (16 MB recommended) 8 MB (16 MB recommended) HARD DISK SPACE 25 MB 25 MB DSL MODEM *See Note *See Note NIC *See Note *See Note ROUTER *See Note *See Note - I am not using your customized version of Netscape. What information do I need to configure my browser?
- You must configure your browser as follows:
- Can I use my analog modem or terminal adapter with DSL Internet Access?
- No. Although DSL technology makes use of your existing phone line, the connection is not processed the same way an analog or ISDN connection is processed. In addition to the differences in the information transmission methods, the DSL Internet equipment used with our service must be compatible with devices on the ATM Network. To ensure this occurs, we require that all the 10baseT (Ethernet) NICs support RFC (Request for Comments) 1483/BPDU (bridge protocol data units).
- Will I be able to install your dialup software if I have DSL Internet Access?
- Yes. However, if you are using Windows 3.x, Windows 95/98, or Windows NT you must use the upgrade software as opposed to the full dial-up software. The full dial-up software requires certain system requirements that do not exist in a DSL Internet environment.
- What is a local loop and how does it affect my ability to get DSL Internet Access?
- The local loop is the distance between the customer premise equipment and Nevada Bell DSL Internet central office. This distance is approximately 17,500 feet, or a little over 3 miles. Higher speeds will require shorter distances.
Requirements
| Outgoing Mail [SMTP] Server | mail.nvbell.net |
| Incoming Mail [POP] Server | postoffice.nvbell.net |
| News [NNTP] Server | news.la.sbcglobal.net news.sf.sbcglobal.net |
Please note: We provide technical support for Nevada Bell Internet Services customized versions of Netscape only.
- When will this new technology be offered to the general public?
- DSL Internet service is now available to the general public in the Reno/Sparks and Carson City areas.
- Are there any provisioning restrictions or delays I should be aware of?
- Yes. Customers must be within 17,500 feet (the local loop) of one of the DSL Internet enabled Nevada Bell central offices in order to qualify for use of this service. On average, it takes 7 business days from the date of submitting your order for DSL Internet service to be installed.
- I want to order this service. What do I do?
- To order DSL Internet service call the DSL Internet Order Center at 775-688-7200. An order center representative will explain the product features and benefits to you. Information about anticipated transport tariff rates will also be included. If it is determined that the service is available in your area, the order center representative will then verify the distance and quality of your line. This process may take up to one business day. Upon completion, the DSL Internet Order Center will call you to explain the results of the line testing. If the line test reveals you qualify for the DSL Internet service, the order center representative will begin setting up your account for DSL Internet services.
- Will I be able to bill DSL Internet Access to my phone bill, as I am able to do with dialup accounts?
- Yes. You can bill DSL Internet service to your Nevada Bell phone bill.
- How much are the DSL Internet Access line usage fees?
- There are no line usage fees with DSL Internet Access. However, there is a flat rate fee that will be charged by Nevada Bell to DSL Internet customers on a monthly basis. This fee will vary as it depends on the DSL Internet service you select. For more information please call the DSL Internet Order Center at 775-688-7200.
- Do you have an annual pricing plan for the Enhanced DSL Internet product?
- No. Pricing plan options and promotions will be considered based on public demand.
- I signed up for DSL Internet Access but now I have decided to disconnect. Can I receive a credit for the rest of the month?
- The DSL Internet product refund and prorated service policy is equivalent to the one established for analog and ISDN access. There is no prorated service plan at this time. There are early termination fees applicable if you signed a one-year term agreement and terminate early.
Availability and Pricing