This document addresses the ordering, installation and configuration of ADSL service for use on Linux Systems.
ADSL or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop is a high-speed Internet access technology that uses a commonly available telephone copper loop (same wire as your phone service). Designed to run on up to 80% of the telephone available in the United States, and utilizing line-adaptive modulation, ADSL provides data speeds from 384kbps to 1.5 Mbps, normally using different speeds for the upstream and downstream channel (hence the " Asymmetric" ). ADSL provides a direct, dedicated pipe to an ISP.
ADSL was designed for SOHO applications, such as a small business with 5-30 systems, or the high-end Linux user that has wants bandwidth and has some money to spend. Applications range from low-bandwidth server interconnection to streaming video applications. ADSL is designed and priced somewhere in between ISDN and T1 service, providing near T1 speeds without the cost/complexity/availability issues of T1. Since ADSL is a dedicated service, it avoids the delays and use charges inherent in ISDN service.
This HOW-TO starts with a description of ADSL services and it many variants, and a block diagram of the components that make up the service. Next, a list of requirements for ordering ADSL are provided. Also included is guide on ADSL wiring and configuring your Linux System. I have also included an Appendix with a FAQ, a listing of interesting Links,and a Glossary.
I welcome any and all comments on this document; They can be
sent to dfannin@dnai.com .
The latest version of this FAQ is available from http://www.dnai.com/~dfannin/adsl/.