question about broadband

hi everyone,

here in ireland a few companys have started introducing broadband,now the only way to connect up is pppoe, just wondering is this the default way of connecting to broadband

also ive also been offered this router/switch

www.dlink.co.uk/pages/products/dwl520plus.asp

it has a simple firewall build in which is nat. would nat be secure enough for an broadband connection

Hi

PPPoE (PPP over Ethernet) is the most comonly offered broadband service by ISPs for xDSL connections.

Why do they use it?

- Because PPPoE has serveral advantages for ISPs, but more or less no advantage for the customers.

- It integrates very well to ISP's infrastructure with little or no upgradation.

If you use PPPoE in windows, you might be using WinPOET, normally supplied to you by the ISP on a CD.

if you are using Linux, there are two modes
- Kernel Mode PPPoE
- User mode PPPoE

- Kernel mode PPPoE is still considered experimental.
- Roaring Penguin's 'rpppoe' is the most widely used user mode PPPoE in Linux. I use user mode PPPoE.

Please visit this link for more information.

www.roaringpenguin.com/products/rp-pppoe/index.php


BTW, NAT is no way a complete protection. It's just an additional layer. Yeah, also it depends on your infrastructure. BTW, if this product supports some basic firewall use that.

Regards
Cheetah

NAT = security through obscurity.

Throw on a personal firewall like Zonealarm ( www.zonelabs.com )
and all should be fine.