slac2.gif (4035 bytes)    DSL Service For SLAC Users
 Last Update: 25 April 2005

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DSL
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) provides a very fast remote Ethernet-level connection from your home to the Internet with speeds  between 192Kbps and 6.0Mbps. The speeds are dependent on the type of service chosen and the distance between your home and the phone company equipment that supports DSL. 

The remote user will need a router or bridge unit  to connect his DSL line and workstation to the DSL service and network.  There are no usage charges, just a monthly service fee and a one time charge  that includes the cost of the DSL router and installation.  The DSL connection is "always up".

DSL Service For SLAC Users
SLAC supports four  DSL service choices from  SBC DSL and Stanford DSL.

  • SCCS is the SLAC contact for SBC DSL and Stanford  DSL Service. 
    SCCS will submit  installation requests, handle the billing, and provide limited help when there are questions and problems.  The monthly service charges and any installation cost  for your DSL service will be charged back to the account number you provide on the DSL Service Request  Form.
  • You will be outside of  the SLAC network firewall
    The DSL connection is similar to being on the public internet. To access "slaconly" web pages or other restricted SLAC resources and to appear to be inside the SLAC network firewall:
  • Security concerns
    Your workstation is wide open to hacking because of being on the public network. There is NO absolute way to prevent hacking if your system is up and has a DSL connection.
    • Keep  your system well maintained and up-to-date with the latest security patches and run the latest virus software.  Upgrade to Windows XP if possible. 

Requirements

  • A SLAC charge number. See your supervisor for approval and a SLAC charge number.
  • An existing SBC phone service in your home (the DSL signal will share the same wires as the voice signal with no interference).
  •  A 10BaseT Ethernet interface card installed in your  home computer and a network cable to connect the interface card to the DSL router that will be provided by Stanford.
  •  The ability to configure IP information on your computer.

If You Don't Qualify For SBC DSL or Stanford DSL Service
Some suggestions if you don't qualify e.g.  your home is too far from the DSL equipment, you don't have SBC phone service, etc

  • Wait.  Your DSL request will be resubmitted every 2 or 3 months to see if you qualify.  If you do qualify you will be notified and asked if you still want the DSL service.
  • Use the SLAC Dialup Service. This service is free.
  • SCCS has made billing arrangements with one other remote access vendor:
    www.covad.com
    Contact them to see if they can provide any of their services to your home.
    • Talk with someone at the company to ensure that their service can actually reach your home. Give them your phone number or address so they can make a real measurement to determine if the service is available to you. Don't depend on web sites that tell you that the service is "available in your area" based on your phone prefix, etc.
    • Once you have found a provider who has guaranteed service to your home, contact Teri Church, x3176,  for help in procurement processing.
    • SLAC credit cards are not acceptable for paying for these types of services. See:
      http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/comp/net/dsl/pcard.htm
    • SCCS will not provide technical support for non Stanford DSL services, including installation coordination.

General Information

  • Check with your Supervisor/Manager
    Check with your Supervisor or Manager to obtain a SLAC charge number to pay for your DSL service.  Work with him to determine which service to choose based on cost, type of work you'll be doing at home, the bandwidth and IP addresses needed, etc.
     
  • Check with your Desktop Admin
    Check with your  Desktop Admin person before ordering DSL.  He can provide advice and help you with any upgrades/patches, configuration, software, or hardware issues that might come up.
     
  • Installation information
    It normally takes 2-4 weeks to complete an  installation.  The time it takes  depends on DSL availability to your neighborhood and  home, the backlog of work already scheduled,  the manpower available, etc.

You will be notified by email what your installation date is and when you need to be home during that time.

  • DSL charges may appear on your home phone bill
     Check your phone bill each month to see if any DSL charges appear on it.  Do not pay any of the DSL charges.   Just pay your normal part of the phone bill.  If you see any DSL charges on your phone bill send email to: dsl-admin@slac.stanford.edu

  • Limited support
    The amount of support that SCCS can provide for DSL is limited because these services are not controlled by SCCS. See the DSL Support statement for more information.

Ordering DSL Service
The SBC Express service is the least expensive service, a cost savings for SLAC, and is quite adequate for most user's needs. It is very rare that the higher speeds are needed for everyday internet use. Also, you may not qualify for the higher speed services depending on how far your home is from the phone company DSL equipment. If that is the case you will be given the lower speed service instead.

Some Stanford internet services, such as the Stanford Library Subscriptions,  are available only through Stanford DSL. Care should be taken when choosing Stanford DSL versus SBC DSL if you will be using certain Stanford internet services.

Work with your Supervisor/Manager to understand your requirements. Then choose the type of service you want from the chart below and complete the  DSL Service Request Form.

See the SBC Business DSL and Stanford DSL web pages for additional information.

Note concerning low advertised prices for DSL:  SLAC's central billing for SBC DSL services (where DSL services are billed directly to SLAC rather than the charges showing up on the users home phone bill) requires us to use the SBC Business DSL choices. These may or may not include promotional prices and are usually higher than the Residential prices because of how taxes and other charges are dealt with when a vendor deals with SLAC.  Also, many of the very low prices that are advertised may also include conditions and requirements that the home user must include, and pay extra for, on his home phone service and may not extend to the SBC Business DSL choices.

SBC & Stanford DSL Service Types

SBC Express
384K - 1.5M downstream / 
128K upstream, 1 dynamic IP address 

SBC Pro
1.5M - 3.0M downstream / 
384K upstream,
1 dynamic IP address

Stanford Low
192K - 1.5M downstream / 
128K upstream, 5 static IP addresses 

Stanford High
1.5M - 6.0M downstream / 
384K upstream,
5 static IP addresses

Monthly
Service Charges

$34.95 *

 $44.99 *

 $59.95

 $179.95

Service Installation  & Equipment Charges 

 $0 **
or
$200 **		  $0 **
or
$200 **		  $299
(technician install)		  $299
(technician install)

*   These are promotional prices for SBC Business DSL services good thru 31 May 2005,
        although they may be extended.
        Requires a 1 year term commitment with a $200 early termination fee. After the 1 year term
        is up the cost of the SBC Express will increase $15.00  per month to $49.95, the SBC Pro will
        increase $15.00 per month to $59.99.
**  $0 for self installation - DSL modem and connection software will be sent to your home.
        You will be responsible to install the modem and software, make the initial connection
         to SBC to establish username and password. Instructions are included. For more info see:
         http://www02.sbc.com/DSL_new/content/1,,20,00.html
         or
        $200 for technician install - DSL modem and connection software will be sent to your home.
        SBC will contact you with a time that a technician will come to your home to assist you with
        installing the modem and software and setting up username and password.
 

Canceling or changing an Existing Service / Moving To A New Address

  • To cancel an existing DSL service send email to dsl-admin@slac.stanford.edu with the date you want your DSL service cancelled.   Also return your DSL router/modem to Ken Martell, Bldg 050 Room 375, x3804.  SBC normally requires that you have your DSL service cancelled before they will cancel your phone service.
  • To change an existing DSL service i.e. you want to change from the Stanford DSL service to the less expensive SBC Express service....you will have to first cancel the existing service and than request a new DSL installation for the new service.  There is no such thing as a simple transfer. Send email to dsl-admin@slac.stanford.edu and we will help you with coordinating this change.
  • If you are moving to a new address and want DSL service at the new address you should request a new DSL installation by filling out the DSL Service Request Form  after your new SBC phone service is up and running. If you send in the service request before the service is actually up and running the request will be bounced back and delay the installation date. Don't forget to cancel the DSL service at your old address.

Reporting Problems
There are two types of DSL service that SLAC supports. Stanford DSL and SBC DSL.
Users with a DSL IP address beginning with 171.66 have Stanford DSL.   All other users have SBC DSL.

Stanford DSL service problems should be reported to  650-723-1611

This number is staffed Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. After hours and holiday trouble calls are answered around the clock by University Operators who refer system-wide problems to on-call repair technicians immediately and individual user problems to the Systems Control Center at the start of the next business day.

Before calling power cycle your DSL router and see if this solves the problem.  If it doesn't,  note the condition of the status lights and write them down. The Power and Status lights should be solid green after a minute or so. If they are,  try your DSL connection again.  If you still can't make a connection call for service and report  the status of the lights and your IP address information. Ask for a case number and the name of the person you are talking to.  Write this information down for  future reference.

Visit Stanford's Trouble Reporting web page for more info:
http://commserv.stanford.edu/support/assistance.html
 

SBC DSL (PacBell DSL) service problems should be reported to SBC Technical Support at 1-877-722-3755 or go to SBC Online Technical Support.

Before calling for service reboot your computer and power cycle your DSL modem and/or router and see if this solves the problem.  If it doesn't,  note the condition of the status lights and write them down. Call for service and report  the status of the lights and your IP address information. Ask for a case number and the name of the person you are talking to.  Write this information down for  future reference.  You will be asked for a 'billing number' or a 'bill to' number which is 650 926 9333 431 9.
 

Hit Counter zero on 01/18/01

Owner: Ken Martell