The trials and solutions of moving to PPPoE

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: STEVE TAYLOR AND JIM METZLER ON WIDE
AREA NETWORKING
06/07/05
Today's focus: The trials and solutions of moving to PPPoE

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Challenges of moving to PPPoE
* Links related to Wide Area Networking
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Hewlett Packard
Choosing the Best Architecture

Learn how controller-based architecture for tape libraries best
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enterprise storage area networks. Details include how the
introduction of the HP StorageWorks Extended Tape Library
Architecture defines the next generation of tape libraries in
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http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=106217
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Today's focus: The trials and solutions of moving to PPPoE

By Steve Taylor and Jim Metzler

Last time around, we discussed Steve's ADSL service provider's
move from authentication via Ethernet address of the attached
device to Point-to-Point Protocols over Ethernet (PPPoE). The
basic move went fine, and it provided some advantages for both
Steve and the service provider. But it also presented a
challenge or two.

The first challenge had to do with the fact that, as we've
discussed often in the past, Steve is one of those people who is
so hooked on broadband access that he actually uses both DSL and
cable modem. And there's a fundamental difference in the way
these two technologies authenticate a user as a valid network
user. For cable services - at least in Steve's case - the cable
modem itself is used to provide authentication, and then is
provides DHCP service to whatever device is attached - router or
PC.

The DSL modem, on the other hand, did none of the
authentication, and it depended on getting an Ethernet address
from the attached device. So long as the router was configured
with the proper Ethernet address for the DSL service, then
moving back and forth between the services was as simple as
moving the Ethernet cable from the router from the cable modem
to the DSL modem.

This was especially convenient since neither service was 100%
reliable. However, the odds of both services going flaky
simultaneously are really slim. In fact, getting into the
arithmetic, if you have two services that are only 95%
availability (and both services are much better than this), the
availability of at least one of the services for a given time is
99.75%.

Now, however, since the DSL modem and the cable modem use
different authentication schemes, the router has to be
reprogrammed and reset - not exactly rocket science but still a
pain in the patoot - every time the service needs to move
between the broadband services. And, as you may remember, we're
still on the quest for the cost-effective router with active
dual WAN links that we think is up to snuff.

So, as a SOHO "power user," this is not a showstopper for most
users. But it does indeed complicate the support environment a
bit as more and more enterprises are faced with supporting a
variety of teleworkers in the virtual office.

Next newsletter we'll wrap up this particular discussion with a
somewhat surprising revelation of a situation where 8-bytes of
overhead actually makes a difference.

RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS

Dual WAN router testing: Good and bad about load balancing
Network World, 01/04/05
http://www.networkworld.com/nlwan2398

Business market stoked for Ethernet services
Network World, 06/06/05
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/060605-ethernet.html?rl

Supercomm looks to build on telecom momentum
Network World, 06/06/05
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/060605-supercomm.html?rl
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Steve Taylor and Jim Metzler

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates
and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed
information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter,
connect to Webtorials <http://www.webtorials.com/>, the premier
site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and
market research. Taylor can be reached at
<mailto:taylor@webtorials.com>

Jim Metzler is the Vice President of Ashton, Metzler &
Associates, a consulting organization that focuses on leveraging
technology for business success. Jim assists vendors to refine
product strategies, service providers to deploy technologies and
services, and enterprises evolve their network infrastructure.
He can be reached at <mailto:jim@ashtonmetzler.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Hewlett Packard
Choosing the Best Architecture

Learn how controller-based architecture for tape libraries best
meets reliability and interoperability requirements in
enterprise storage area networks. Details include how the
introduction of the HP StorageWorks Extended Tape Library
Architecture defines the next generation of tape libraries in
enterprise SAN environments. Download the white paper now!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=106216
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the WAN newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/frame/index.html
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