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| This is an unordered collection of tips and how-to snippets relating to DSL, with emphasis on informatino specific to NCF that might not be elsewhere on the internet, or of special interest to NCF mebmers. If you have something that should be added, please mention it to an NCF office person.
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| Similar sources of information are the NCF [http://www.ncf.ca/ncf/dg/index.jsp?dg=82 DSL discussion group] and the NCF [http://www.ncf.ca/ncf/dg/index.jsp?dg=1 Help Desk discussion group].
| | This is a collection of DSL tips. The emphasis is on information specific to NCF that might not be elsewhere on the internet, or of special interest to NCF members. If you have something that would be good to add, please mention it to the NCF office. |
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| == Using a ST516 with router: De-activate your router's idle timer == | | ==DSL information== |
| If you have a ST516 DSL modem connected to a router, it's best if the router's idle timeout feature (if it has one) be disabled. Otherwise your DSL connection may go up and down every five minutes.
| | Great sources of DSL information are: |
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| To see if you have the problem, log into the NCF StartPage and then click on the link "Your recent DSL use" ([http://www.ncf.ca/ncf/home/modems/dslUsage.jsp]). Scroll down to 'Connection details'. If there are many session of short duration (eg., 5 minutes), you've probably got a router with an idle timer running. Read below how to fix it.
| | *[http://www.ncf.ca/ncf/dg/index.jsp?dg=82 NCF DSL discussion group] |
| | *[http://www.ncf.ca/ncf/dg/index.jsp?dg=1 NCF Help Desk discussion group]. |
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| There is a router setting usually called something like "Maximum Idle Time" which will cause the internet DSL connection to be dropped after a period of no internet use. As long as you are using the internet, this setting does nothing, but when you stop using the internet, after the period specified by this setting, your router will tell your DSL modem to disconnect and reconnect. This usually is pointless but OK, but often causes grief for members. It's best to stop it. Change the number to something larger than 3 days (eg., set it to 5000), or, on some routers, you can disable it altogether (try entering 0).
| | =='SpeedTouch' modem name change== |
| | The ''SpeedTouch'' brand of DSL modems was developed by Alcatel, who sold that product line to Thomson. Thomson carried on with the SpeedTouch name until 2009, when they started naming newer models "Thomson Gateway". The model numbers reflect that, for example, the ST585 became the TG585. Thomson was then bought out by [http://www.technicolor.com/en/solutions-services/connected-home/broadband-devices Technicolor] in January 2010, although in 2011 they were still using the TG designation for most models. |
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| So if you are getting regular DSL cuts, check that your router idle time is set to
| | Technically, Thomson/SpeedTouch DSL modems are DSL ''gateways'' (because they include a DEL modem and a router, in one box), but most people seem more comfortable using the term 'modem' so NCF calls them that too. If 'gateway' gains traction, maybe NCF will switch back to calling them 'gateway'. Meanwhile, NCF calls them 'DSL modems'. |
| a large number of minutes (eg., 5000). Some routers may have an "always connected"
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| setting which would override all of the foregoing and leave your DSL connection in | |
| permanent connect mode - perfect!
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| You can check that it worked by waiting a day for the DSL use page to be updated (it is updated nightly). | | ==Firewall testing== |
| | You can test your modem security configuration, the effectiveness of your firewalls and other security measures against on-line intrusion with this online test: |
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| 2010-Feb-23 (thanks, Bob)
| | *[https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 Shields Up] |
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| == 'SpeedTouch' modem name change: Now 'Thomson Gateway' ==
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| The ''SpeedTouch'' brand of DSL modems was developed by Alcatel, who sold that product line to Thomson. Thomson carried on with the SpeedTouch name until 2009, when they started naming newer models "Thomson Gateway". The model numbers reflect that, for example, the ST585 became the TG585.
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| Technically, Thomson/SpeedTouch DSL modems are DSL ''gateways'' (because they include a DEL modem and a router, in one box), but most people seem more comfortable using the term 'modem' so NCF calls them that too. If 'gateway' gains traction, maybe NCF will switch back to calling them 'gateway'. Meanwhile, NCF calls them 'DSL modems'.
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| == DSL modem firmware upgrades ==
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| Thomson, manufacturer of the ''Thomson Gateway'' and ''SpeedTouch'' line of modems, says they are committed to maintaining the value of their older modems by providing firmware upgrades to fix problems that are found after release to market. That's great!
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| Thomson is a wholesaler and does not deal directly with the public, but they provide information to their distributors (which to NCF has access) so that they can provide updates.
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| Here's how things stand as of Feb 2010: NCF office people aren't aware of any must-do upgrades for any of the modems sold by NCF. Being up to date is a good thing, but it comes with risks (finger problems, modem problems, etc), and there is some wisdom in ''if it isn't broken, don't fix it''. Therefore NCF hasn't been recommending upgrades.
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| However, if you are comfortable doing updates at your own risk (explained in a moment), NCF can provide release notes (so you'll know what updates are available for your modem hardware, and what changes in each update) and the update firmware load.
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| The most recent software loads are listed below:
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| ST516 (all NCF-sold hardware versions): No update available
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| ST585 / TG585 (all NCF-sold hardware versions): 8.2.6
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| (information current as of Feb 2010)
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| 'At your own risk' means that if your modem fails or becomes inoperative due to a failed update that you perform, unfortunately you might have to find a new modem. That said, NCF office people are not aware of anyone having had problems (ed: and it'd be a pretty poor design or faulty hardware that would allow a modem to become completely inoperative; the bootstrap loader should always operate).
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| The situation hasn't yet arisen, but perhaps for a donation or fee (policy to be determined), NCF office people might be able to help restore a modem if something went wrong.
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| | ==See also== |
| | *[[DSL Processes]] |
| | *[[Speed]] |
| | *[[Dynamic DNS]] |
| | *[[Firmware]] |
| | *[[Managing your monthly DSL bandwidth usage]] |
| | *[[SpeedTouch 516 and 585 on ADSL2+]] |
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| [[Category:DSL]] | | [[Category:DSL]] |
| | [[Category:Modems]] |
| | [[Category:Troubleshooting]] |
| | [[Category:Home Network]] |
This is a collection of DSL tips. The emphasis is on information specific to NCF that might not be elsewhere on the internet, or of special interest to NCF members. If you have something that would be good to add, please mention it to the NCF office.
DSL information
Great sources of DSL information are:
'SpeedTouch' modem name change
The SpeedTouch brand of DSL modems was developed by Alcatel, who sold that product line to Thomson. Thomson carried on with the SpeedTouch name until 2009, when they started naming newer models "Thomson Gateway". The model numbers reflect that, for example, the ST585 became the TG585. Thomson was then bought out by Technicolor in January 2010, although in 2011 they were still using the TG designation for most models.
Technically, Thomson/SpeedTouch DSL modems are DSL gateways (because they include a DEL modem and a router, in one box), but most people seem more comfortable using the term 'modem' so NCF calls them that too. If 'gateway' gains traction, maybe NCF will switch back to calling them 'gateway'. Meanwhile, NCF calls them 'DSL modems'.
Firewall testing
You can test your modem security configuration, the effectiveness of your firewalls and other security measures against on-line intrusion with this online test:
See also
