DSL with Login or Cable w/o Login - Is Setup Different?

Yes. The router will actually keep the connection alive so you don't need to worry about it. Many models even have a setting where you can tell it to re-establish the connection (log in again) every x number of seconds/minutes. Or you can let it connect upon demand, if the connection has timed out or something. It's pretty much transparent to the users at the PC.

If the router mentions anything about "cable/dsl" on the box, its a good sign that it has PPoE support. (I haven't seen a model that doesn't.)

If the router loses power, it will still retain its settings. There is some kind of battery I guess. It might lose it after a very long time but its not terribly hard to set up again. I've never had to reconfigure my router (I don't use PPoE but there are a bunch of other settings stored in the router.)

On Linksys routers you need to set the connection type to "PPoE" on the main setup page [see attachment pic], before it will give you the boxes to enter name, password etc. Generally the manual for the router should describe everything =)

I am NOT good at these stuffs at all. I am just wondering rather the debate of having to login is simply a superficial one.

This is what I mean:
If you configure your router with all the login info, then, true, the login process will be transparent to you (being done in the background by the router) but doesn't the router is still "logging in", so to speak? Like the DSL I have at work, each time I launch the browser the first time there is a delay, I suppose the router is logging in???

At home I don't use a router. However, my DSL software has an auto connect option. You setup the user name and password once; tell it to remember it; tell it to auto connect. Then when I launch the browser the first time for the day it will log in but I don't have to do anything (i.e. not having to put in the username and password.)

Aren't they the same after all? Isn't the only difference is that one prcess (without a router) is NOT transparent to me (I see it logging in) while the other process (with a router) is transparent to me (I don't see nor know that it's logging in) ????

The above is a NOT a comment. It is a question as I don't know much about this kinda of thing.

You're right falcon2000, you log in either way, and if you have an underlying provider whose authentication servers frequently crash (grumble...Tel$tra...grumble) they're both prone to the same problems. I guess the advantage with a router is it doesn't need to be rebooted nearly as often, so provided your line quality is alright you stay connected much longer, are much more likely to keep the same IP address for long periods etc. You also don't notice auth system failures as often. :rolleyes:

For anyone who's interested, there is also a form of DSL service which doesn't require a username/password login, called RFC1483 bridging. It's a fairly expensive way of doing it (you use at least 4 IP addresses for each client instead of 1), so it's pretty much only used for business grade connections. Configuration at the client end just consists of plugging in the ADSL modem, configuring the PC/router (real router, not one of those home ones) with the static IP address info and using the connection.

A quick search of their homesite gave this

Quote:

---

You have two installation options-self-install and tech install.

Self-install comes free with most of the SBC Y! DSL packages-your self-install kit will arrive in the mail 7-10 days after you place your order. Included will be everything you need to install your new DSL service- a DSL modem, line filters, nic card (if necessary), Ethernet cord, and a Quick Start Guide and installation CD to get you up and running in minutes. The CD contains step-by-step instructions, as well as necessary software: a SBC Yahoo! Browser, SBC Yahoo! Instant Messenger, SBC DSL Connection Manager, SBC Yahoo! Utilities, SBC Yahoo! Parental Controls, Internet Explorer 6 (if you do not already have 5.0 installed).

The self-install option is recommended for almost all subscribers. SBC and Yahoo! have worked very hard to make self-installation quick and easy. And if at any time, you experience problems with your self-installation, we're on the phone ready to help you-a special customer service phone number will be provided in your installation kit.

With the tech install options, one of our trained service reps will personally visit your home to install SBC Y! DSL. This service costs $200 and includes installation of SBC Yahoo! DSL service via an existing telephone jack within your house.

---

So you should be a ble to refer to the self install manual or helpline in the unlikely event you get stuck.

Personally, I don't see why having to login is such a big deal if the software has the "auot connect" function, it takes all but a second.

I used to have SBC before it is SBC/Yahoo. Sad to say though it was really lame. Down all the time. Often had to wait a l-o-o-o-ng time for phone support and when they did answer the phone, many of the techs knew less than I did. 90% of the times they would just ask you to re-install the software even though the problem was at their end, LOL! Hope things get better now.

Anyway, when I was w/ SBC their software had the "auto coonect" function also. Actually, it got quite a few more functions. You could configure it to auto connect and launch IE all at the same time automatically at computer startup. You could even add a sound file of your choice to play it when IE launched. Quite cool!

This is how my router logs into a UK ADSL ISP

[Now to see if I get the images downloads right :D ]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...d/fc3fb635.jpg

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/


So in essence the router modem is permanantly logged in to the ADSL line unless disconnected manually and the PC`s merely use it as any other internal network router via a self configured or DHCP IP address.