[TriLUG] DSL or RoadRunner?

Reginald Reed reginald at cisco.com
Tue Oct 7 11:55:41 EDT 2003


"DOCSIS is a one-trick-pony as a protocol for cable networks" is not
entirely true.  There is a wireless specification as well.  Not to
mention, just about anything can ride on a different physical layer, so
TR-059 could also be implemented on cable networks.

--Reggie

On Tuesday, October 07, 2003 11:15 AM, trilug-bounces at trilug.org <>
wrote:

> DSL is ready to do some new tricks.  BellSouth stands to benefit
> early. If you get DSL from BellSouth you might benefit too.
> 
> I posted some detail about this a couple of weeks ago, but here is a
> quick summary. 
> 
> In September the DSL Forum released TR-059 describing the evolution of
> the DSL architecture.  In simplified terms this will allow
> DSL customers to pay for not only bandwidth, but a quality of
> bandwidth. 
> 
> Voice, video and on-line gaming are great examples of why
> this is valuable.  Given sufficient data transfer capacity
> (bandwidth) the most important thing to the consumer of these
> services is consistency.  It just won't do to get data at a
> variable rate.  For example, you can't speed up and slow down
> video, even a little bit, without noticing.  A gamer always
> wants a low "ping" rate, but an average rate that stays rock
> solid is far less irritating than one that fluctuates.
> 
> Customers will need RIP2 and DIFFSERV to take advantage of
> this new QoS on demand capability.  Bandwidth on demand will
> also be part of the new offering stable for those
> applications where bandwidth alone - not QoS is what you
> need.  Since BellSouth was a major player is getting this new
> specification completed you can expect them to look to capitalize on
> it. 
> 
> All this having been said, there are some fantastic features
> of DOCSIS which, when implemented widely, might be every bit
> as tempting to the consumer.  However, DOCSIS is a
> one-trick-pony as a protocol for cable networks.  TR-059 by
> contrast lays out a service provider architecture which is
> low cost, and idependant of OSI L1-L2. Thats right kids - the
> cable networks could play in this game too and no matter how
> you get your broadband you could get end to end QoS.  Thats
> why my bet is with TR-059 and on DSL in the near future.
> Still, the end of this road is entirely dependant on how
> service providers (the ASP and CSP type) embrace these
> technologies and persue their markets.
> 
> -Ryan
> 
> On Mon, 2003-10-06 at 22:09, Jason Browne wrote:
>> Got a general question...
>> 
>> All I have had for broadband is Bellsouth DSL.  I had Charter
>> Pipeline very shortly while i was in school, but promptly dropped
>> them b/c they blocked all incoming connections to my box.  So this
>> has made me cautious about going to Cable Broadband.  I am going to
>> be moving down to the Holly Springs area, so i am thinking about
>> changing to RoadRunner. My main concern is that people can access
>> all my services from the web. 
>> 
>> Has anyone had any bad experiences about Timewarner blocking
>> services? Is the speed and connection pretty reliable?  If not, who
>> else is a good provider in the Holly Springs area?
>> 
>> Jason





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