running server on dynamic ADSL line

[reddyjs]

k here's the scenario:

I have a cctv camera system at my business and its running a server on a dsl line. It requires port 80. Unfortunately, verizon blocked port 80 because they don't want people to run servers on dynamic lines (yea, whatever). So I set it up to connect thru port 81 and I'm also using dyndns.org with my linksys router. It works. My question is, will verizon eventually catch on an give me the boot? I don't want to get booted because my only other option is to switch from my current $30 dynamic dsl line to either an $80 static dsl line or $80 cable line. I am only going to access the system maybe 2 or 3 times a day and at that, only 15 minutes at a time.

[NoBoB]

It's not so much that "they don't want people to run servers on dynamic lines" as it is they don't want someone hosting a webserver -- often a business-related activity -- on a residential line, with the related traffic that may cause.

My experience with Verizon is that they won't bother you (although I don't work for them, so YMMV). What you're doing is not much different from what I do with my TiVo's and a couple of my satellite receivers that have built-in webservers. Once in a while, here and there, isn't enough to trigger any red flags. As long as you can't type "www.somedomain.com" into a web browser and get a server on their residential service, they don't care.

[reddyjs]

k thx. And another problem i was having was that my connection gets dropped randomly. In all cases, unplugging and replugging the router immediately solves the problem. I'm using a linksys befw11s4 router and its set to keep alive 30 seconds. its a pppoe dsl connection. any advice?

[NoBoB]

We don't use PPPOE here, so I have no experience with it. If it randomly disconnects, it may be to thwart the "permanent connection", but I know others using PPPOE and they don't report that trouble.

For a while, I did have some trouble with router lock-ups, and that was solved by a firmware update.