FTTC Ordered. Is using Linux's PPPoE ok?

[alexwright]

I've just bitten the bullet and ordered FTTC. The speed checker reckons on 28MBit

Rather than buy a PPPoE router, I should be able to use my existing Linux server, shouldn't I? Its already doing all the routing for the house anyway (+web server +email).

I'd rather not shell out on a unnecessary box if I don't need to!
Has anyone else tried this?

[Steve]

Not sure it's been tried here by that method but certainly using a Windows PC direct ethernet cable from NIC to VDSL Modem via PPPOE has worked.

[kev445]

Yes Linux PPPOE will work.

Netgear routers are based on Linux, which uses the exact same PPPOE client.

[alexwright]

Yes Linux PPPOE will work.

Netgear routers are based on Linux, which uses the exact same PPPOE client.

Great!
Can you recommend any settings?

[kev445]

Sorry for the late reply...

Unfortunately I don't, it has been a while since I have done any PPPOE.

[esh]

I use pfSense/monowall in a VM that does all the PPPoE configuration just fine with a nice web interface complete with all the port forwarding and firewall and traffic shaping madness. You might want to look into that for a neat solution.

[alexwright]

That's a good idea! I'll take a look at those.

I hope the order comes through quickly. My ADSL is really playing up tonight. 

[esh]

If you're a purist who wants ipv6 you'll probably want m0n0wall. If you prefer a (slightly) slicker interface and lots of plugins (such as snort and ntop) you will probably want pfSense. If you need a hand with either give a shout, but they seem to be quite happy on VMWare Server.

[Holodene]

I'm considering getting one of these http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12647

I reckon it should be able to handle 40Mb/s of WAN throughput.

What do you think?

[pctech]

Looks like a decent bit of kit.

[Steve]

Perhaps someone else will chime in but is the absence of gigabyte NICs a worry.

[pctech]

Hmmm you've got a point Steve.

[Steve]

It's just that we've seen a Netgear 10/100 router struggle to give optimum throughput on FTTC.

[Holodene]

Perhaps someone else will chime in but is the absence of gigabyte NICs a worry.

It will be used with a gigabit switch.

[esh]

Netgear products are just dodgy. There is no reason a 10/100 switch should give bad throughput for FTTC unless there is a ton of local traffic (or it's buggered). Or it's in 10M mode I suppose

Yes I would recommend that unit... not used that exact one myself, but a good Linux solution will do you well. Not a bad price either.

[Lance]

Netgear products are just dodgy. There is no reason a 10/100 switch should give bad throughput for FTTC unless there is a ton of local traffic (or it's buggered). Or it's in 10M mode I suppose

I agree, and it goes to show that they are made to a price.

[alexwright]

BT Engineer came round  Unannounced, of course! 




Yeah!

Using Linux pppoe was very easy.

I simply ran pppoe-setup followed by pppoe-start

Note: The ethernet port you use to connect to the VDSL modem does not end up with its own IP address! This had me confused for a while. 

[Rik]

Thanks for that. Now go away and stop making me jealous. 

[pctech]

I gather you'll be happy to pay a high price for fibre when it arrives Rik?

[Rik]

Yes and no, Mitch. Part of me, which will probably win, wants to try fibre. The other part of me says that if I only use 6GB/month, what's the point?

[Simon]

Well, you'll use it quicker. 

[Rik]

 

I can't type any faster though. 

[Simon]

You type fast enough! 

[Glenn]

Part of me says I only use 15gb/month, the other part says buy it now. I could then host races on my connection, using the faster upload speed. 

[Rik]

You type fast enough! 

Ah, but legibly?