[AuckLUG] Good ISP for Linux user?

[John Deverall]

Hi, 

I use woosh at home for our network (and phone). 

You need a router that supports PPPoE or PPPoA (can't remember which they'll know) with an RJ45 WAN Port. 

Of course this is all operating system independant as you just plug into the router. 

You'll need a windows notebook however to set the modem with your account details and password etc. Once it's done though it's done and it's not rocket science. We've been using woosh now at home including phone for over 12 months and have no problems with it. 

Do be prepared though for a performance hit. While woosh is much faster than dial up, it's still not as fast as the new jetstream plans although perfectly acceptable for our use at home. 

Although being wireless, we still take our woosh setup away with us when we want to, to get a really good signal, we've actually mounted our booster antenna on the roof as they are outdoors rated apart from the small metal connection between the antenna and the antenna cable. A small amount of silicon sealer sorts that out though. 

Also make sure you get a good signal in your area. If you get an iffy signal, thinking back to the days of standing on one leg ballancing a TV antenna on your nose with your arm out at 2 o'clock just to get things working should assist you enough in describing what that is like. 




-----Original Message-----
From: aucklug-bounces at linux.net.nz on behalf of Vincente Aggrippino
Sent: Sun 12/31/2006 12:23 PM
To: Auckland Linux User Group mailing list
Subject: [AuckLUG] Good ISP for Linux user?
 
Hello everyone, and Happy New Year!

I'm new in the area and I'm searching for a decent ISP.  I don't have a
regular phone line yet, so I am not able to go with a regular ADSL
connection.

So far, I've only looked at Vodafone's service with their vodem and Woosh
Wireless.  I don't know anything about Internet service through mobile phone
network, though.  Woosh's device has an optional ethernet adapter, which
should allow me to connect with Linux and I've been looking through some
forums which make it look like it's possible to get the vodem working.

I do have Internet access in my current residence, but it's very
restricted.  Most critical for me is that I have some contract work that I
need to do through a VPN connection with the Cisco VPN client.  This
requires connections to be made through UDP ports 500 and 62514 - 62524,
which are all blocked because they want to prevent BitTorrent, Kazaa,
Gnutella, etc...  I've had the same experience with several net cafes along
Queen Street.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thank you,
    Vince Aggrippino
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