• Testing your broadband connection

• Tweaking your connection 

• PPPoE 

• ADSL

• Getting The Most From Your DSL Connection 

• Testing your supposed secure connection 

• Free Firewalls

ADSL is an acronym for Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line which can provide always available Internet connection over an existing phone line. Special line filters allow the frequency bands available to voice and normal data to be separated from ADSL frequesncies. This allows simultaneous use of voice and ADSL modem data.

Why is it on ADSL that my uploads dramatically affect my download speeds?

Here's an example of what happens. You're downloading at say 150 KB sec on eDonkey2000 with no current uploads. Suddenly as a user starts an upload, your download speed drops by as much as 80%. Why is this? Simple, your download speeds are affected by the inherent properties of asymmetric and TCP/IP.

When you download a file, your computer not only receives data, but sends acknowledgements to the server you're downloading from. This "ack" tells the sending server that you've received the correct data, and in the correct order. If the data isn't correct, this "ack" tells the server to resend the data.

The problem starts when you're simultaneously uploading. Your connection is sending packets as fast as it can go, and at the same time your system is trying to handle acks for your downloads. As a consequence, the server on the other end pauses while it waits to hear from your machine which causes your downloads to come to a crawl.

So, how can we better manage bandwidth? We could minimize upload speeds to better serve our download speed, but on programs such as eDonkey2000, this isn't really feasible. As you restrict upload, you automatically reduce your download capability.

P2P programs such as WinMX allow you to restrict upload speeds. But even so, a measly 8 KB sec upload can drop your download speeds to under 30 KB sec from 150.

Needless to say, we all want to get the most of our DSL connection, so we have to start at the basics. If at all possible, run a dedicated phone line to where you intend the modem to connect. This way we are assured of a clean line leading from the TELCO box to your modem.

The line filters sometimes supplied by your DSL vendor must be installed at each phone connection, or other devices which utilize the phone line. These devices include answering machines, fax machines, alarm systems, cable/satellite Pay Per View hook-ups, TiVO, your analog modem, and so on. One item not filtered could throw your connection for a loop! Complaints of frequent disconnects and poor or erratic speeds, just to name a few.

The bottom line is this, if it connects to your phone line, it's got to be filtered. (but not the DSL modem)

The best way to go is installing a DSL POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) Splitter. You'll need to run a dedicated line to your DSL modem.

Connecting where your TELCO wires enter the home (or in the home) it splits the pair into two separate lines therefore reducing the need for filters to be placed on each phone appliance. There's great deals to be found on eBay. Although you'll have to roll up your sleeves and get down and dirty, the effort may be well worth it in a more stable connection with minimal interference from household gadgets sharing your phone line.

Some other less obvious reasons for a slow connection may be as simple as upgrading your Network card drivers. There's plenty of instances documented where the drivers were either corrupt, or just not working to their full potential and needed to be reinstalled or updated. Check your manufacturer's website for the latest drivers. Many times the drivers included with Windows are sufficient enough to get it working, but the full potential may rest in your card's specific driver.

Ok so you think you've got your system secure with the latest firewall? Are you really protected behind XP's built-in security? Don't be fooled into thinking that this is restricted to just broadband connections (XDSL/Cable), but dial-up connections as well. The fallacy is that "always on" connections are more vulnerable, which is true to a certain extent, but any connection exposed to the Internet is vulnerable!

Before you delve into these web sites, please keep in mind that some of these sites are in the business to sell products designed to prevent such vulnerabilities. Am I saying take what they say with a grain of salt? No!! But heed the warnings and take necessary action! Trust me, there aren't hackers waiting in droves to break into your system! But there are a bunch of "kiddies" who enjoy the thrill of infiltrating a persons computer.

Below are a few sites I gathered which test your Internet vulnerability. While some are better than others, all of these sites are competent testing facilities.

As of this writing, I've found Sygate and DSLReports offering to be the easiest, fastest, and most thorough.

Sygate's Testing Site

http://scan.sygatetech.com/

Gibson Research Corporation's ShieldsUP!

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Hacker Whacker

http://hackerwhacker.com/

Scan at DSLReports

http://www.dslreports.com/secureme

Test My Firewall

http://www.testmyfirewall.com