Re: ADSL usb modems

[Rick Stevens <rstevens vitalstream com>]

Graeme Nichols wrote:
> On Sat, 2004-05-01 at 02:59, Rick Stevens wrote:
>
> > Graeme Nichols wrote:
> >
> > > On Tue, 2004-04-27 at 02:32, Rick Stevens wrote:
> > >
> > > <snip>
> > >
> > > > There are some ADSL modems that work fine with Linux and some that
> > > > don't, just as there are some winmodems that work and others that won't. 
> > > > Keep in mind that this is not just a Red Hat issue--it's a general Linux
> > > > issue with manufacturers not helping an open source solution.
> > >
> > >
> > > Do you have the names of those usb ADSL modems that DO work with Linux,
> > > or point me in the right direction to find out?
> > >
> > > I am a bit disappointed to learn that there are not only 'gutless'
> > > dial-up modems out there but 'gutless' ADSL modems as well. The way
> > > things are going, the next time one buys a new car the engine and drive
> > > train will need to be supplied by the 'driver' :-)
> >
> > http://www.linux-usb.org/ is the list of USB stuff.  I don't know if
> > they have USB cable or DSL modems, but you can check.
>
>
> Sorry Rick, one other dumb question; What do they mean when they talk
> about ADSL operating in 'bridged' mode?

That's usually an indication that you can turn off the routing and
firewall bits inside the modem and it becomes simply a network bridge.

By that I mean it converts from one network media type to another, e.g.
USB-to-ethernet or USB-to-ADSL or ethernet-to-ADSL.  In the old days, we
used bridges a lot to convert between 10Base-2 (thinwire, RG58/U coax)
to 10Base-5 (thickwire) to 10Base-T (the RJ45-style wiring now used).
Bridges have no routing or firewalling smarts to them--they just convert
media.
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- Rick Stevens, Senior Systems Engineer     rstevens vitalstream com -
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