[Gllug] Linux USB ADSL drivers: how stable?

[Nick Hill]

There are 2 drivers available. One is the 'official' closed source, binary-only driver, linked from the alcatel website. The other is an open source driver by Benoit Pappilaut. 

I have used both. The open source driver is available as an RPM from mandrake. It should work on Mandrake 8.0/ 8.1 without having to patch or re-compile the kernel.

In my experience, the open source driver is better. It is a little more stable than the official version. It seems to have a slightly shorter ping time. You don't need to install a broken version of pppd to use it.

With the open source driver, you do need a copy of a proprietary driver to get a file called alcaudsl.sys which contains the modem firmware. Each time the modem is initialised, the firmware needs to be downloaded to the Speedtouch USB modem.

If you need a persistent connection, I would recommend writing a script, called by cron, to ping a remote host every 10 mins. If the ping fails, re-initialise the modem subsystem.

I have been thinking about putting together a CD which boots, brings up the ADSL modem, sets firewalling rules.

It would need to be used together with a floppy. The floppy would need to contain alcaudsl.sys (which is not 'free'), PPP configuration (chap/pap username, password, vpi/vci) and network card/ firewall configuration. Anyone offering help?

Regards

Nick.



On Fri, 12 Oct 2001 13:46:49 +0100
Rev Simon Rumble <simon at rumble.net> wrote:

> Whether Linux supports the Alcatel ADSL USB modems is about a
> once-a-week question on this list.  That's not the question I'm
> asking.  I know how to use a search engine.
> 
> What I'm curious to know is who out there is actually using the
> drivers and what their experiences are.  The page for the driver isn't
> all that promising and it sounds like it's far from trouble-free.
> 
> I'd love to hear otherwise.  It sure would save me a stack of cash if
> the USB module works well.
> 
> Some of you probably know that I have Home Choice for my Net access.
> With Xine's excellent DiVX support and my new IDE RAID array, I'm
> feeling the need.  The need for speed!
> 
> Final question: any recommendations for a DSL provider?  In particular
> I don't want NAT and want a real, static IP.  Nildram have been
> suggested.
> 
> -- 
> Rev Simon Rumble <simon at rumble.net>
> www.rumble.net
> 
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