Assorted information about PPPoE
used by MOST DSL ISP's in the USA today.

• We need to remember is that PPPoE works JUST LIKE YOUR GOOD OLD "DIAL UP MODEM" account.
  
  
• That is, you get an ip-address (we do not care if it is static or dynamic) when we send our ISP our account name and password.
  
  
• After that, we need to decide who the hell is going to SEND IT automatically when needed!!!
  
  
• It can be any ONE of your devices, like your DSL MODEM, LINKSYS FIREWALL, personal COMPUTER or even software on your PC.
  
  
• The BEST device to send it is your DSL MODEM.
  
  
• The WORST device is you personal computer...
  

• If this is the VERY FIRST TIME your have ever gotten a DSL account then use MY setup below.
  - PLEASE, NEVER USE the crappy CD they give you!
  

• Plug your personal computer DIRECTLY into the DSL MODEM, boot.
  

• With a web browser, goto your DSL MODEM (i.e. http://192.168.0.1/ or RTFM),
  and give it the TEMPOARY account info below.
  - Login, "sbcyahooreg@sbcglobal.net"
  - Password, "sbcyahooreg"
  

• Believe it or not YOU ARE ONLINE !!!
  
  
• WAIT, if you DO NOT SEE this image at the BOTTOM of the wizard page below, USE A DIFFERENT WEB BROWSER !!!
  
  
  - But until you get a REAL PPP user account, you will ONLY be able to goto ONE web page.....
  https://sbcreg.sbcglobal.net/
  goto it now.....
  - The above "wizard page" will guide you through the first time set up of your NEW PPPoE account.
  - DO NOT FORGET THE USERNAME AND PASSWORD YOU MAKE HERE.
  - Use it to MAKE other mail accounts like FRIENDS, KIDS and DUMPSTER etc. which you will use on a day to day basis.
  - Once done, GO BACK to your DSL MODEM and re-enter your NEW account user name and passowrd you just created above.
  

• The BEST "DSL MODEM" as of date is the SpeedStream 4100 (192.168.0.1).
  - This is normally the FREE one they give you.
  - If your have ANY OTHER DSL MODEM I strongley suggest your replace it with the 4100.
  
• I would then ADD a firewall, like the $40 WiFi (with WPA) enabled NETGEAR WGR614 (v7 is current).
  
• DO NOT GET the shitty (you do know it has WiFi which MAY be on by DEFAULT, right ?) "2wire" unit, it is slow and they will ask for $50 too!
• Find and USE better DNS then the ones SBC etc give you.
• How fast is your broadband connection ?
  - Try http://www.speedtest.net/ for a start.