[lug] Qwest Basic service w/ single static IP

[Lee Woodworth]

Calvin Dodge wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 14, 2005 at 02:15:49PM -0600, Lee Woodworth wrote:
> 
>>We are setting up dsl basic internet service. The setup and
>>all goes fine for outbound internet connectivity.
> 
>  
> 
>>The problem is the qwest supplied actiontec GT701 dsl modem.
>>It has an embedded DNS forwarder that is taking over the DNS
>>ports and we are trying to run a secondary DNS server. There
>>will be a similar issue with running a web server.
> 
> 
> And after you've used the Actiontec for a while, it may:
> 
> 1) go to sleep and need to be rebooted
> 2) go catatonic and need to have its firmware reinstalled
> 2) die - won't even try to reinstall the firmware
>  
> 
>>I've looked in the howtos and searched the web, but found
>>no answers to the following questions. The qwest web site has
>>almost zero information of any use. Hoping to avoid dealing w/
>>qwest tech support as the chances of getting someone that
>>knows the answer is slim.
> 
> 
> Very true. 
> 
> A client of mine had a connectivity problem - somehow
> some router between his computer and his web site wouldn't let
> packets go between the two addresses.
> 
> I figured one possible fix was to change his modem's IP 
> address (which was dynamically assigned), but every time
> I called Qwest I was told "sorry, that's not possible".
> 
> Until I finally lucked on a Qwest tech who said "DSL login
> names aren't case-sensisitive when determining authentication,
> but ARE case-sensitive when requesting an IP address. Change
> one letter in the DSL login name to uppercase, and the network
> will assign it a different address".
> 
> And sure enough, that worked.
>  
> 
>>1) We have only one static ip, the link is using PPPoA.
>>   Are there devices (e.g. a straight dsl modem) that we
>>   can use to get a bridged connection instead of a routed
> 
> 
> Yes - a Zoom X4 or X5 can do this.
> 
> 
>>   one? If so does qwest have to be involved in making it
>>   a bridged connection?
> 
> 
> I'm pretty sure they do.
> 
> 
>>2) If we can't bridge w/o qwest's cooperation, are there
>>   any DSL modem+router combos where you really can use
>>   the wan interface for hosting inet services?
> 
> 
> The Zoom modem allows you to do DMZ (all requests from outside
> the LAN are routed to one computer inside) or port forwarding
> (requests are routed based on destination port - each port can
> be routed to a separate computer inside the LAN).
> 
> Actually, the Zoom is a little harder to configure than an
> Actiontec because it's SO flexible, but that's a worthwhile
> tradeoff, IMHO.
> 
> 
>>3) Does qwest use bridged mode when you get a block of
>>   ips vs a single one?
> 
> 
> I don't think it's "bridged" in that case - they just route
> every request in your block of addresses to your modem, and
> then it is responsible for forwarding those requests to
> computers in the subnet on the LAN.
> 
> One caveat: If the Zoom modem is set up to do PPPoA, then
> it can't be configured with a static IP address. It's up to
> the ISP to hand it that address, and some ISPs (4dv.net is
> the example I'm aware of) _can't_ do that.
The config is using PPPoA. The actiontec has to be told
what the static ip is. It does automatically pickup the
gateway ip.

> 
> I don't _think_ Qwest has that limitation, but it would be
> good to check with them first if you're considering a Zoom.

I have the question into Zoom tech support for the X3. We will
see what they say. The actiontec has port forwarding and DMZ host
too. Their support says the DMZ host is unreliable. I tried the port
forwarding and it doesn't bypass the dns forwarder or the thttp
config server. Heres hoping that the Zoom can do better.

> 
> Sangoma internal DSL modems don't have that limitation, but
> they cost quite a bit more than a Zoom or Actiontec.
> 
> If you decide to try a Zoom, I'd suggest buying it at
> Micro Center (8000 E. Quincy, between Denver and the
> Tech Center). That way, if it doesn't work for you,
> you can return it easily. (I speak from experience,
> having bought an X5 from them to try out on 4dv.net).
> 
> Calvin