[sf-lug] Using Linux with AT&T internet service.

[Robert Johnson]

Thanks guys, you LUGer's (is that a thing?) are proving to be better than
the "Tech Support" people I keep talking with. Your specificity is very
good. Thank you. I called DSLExtreme and they have service here, but they
would have to drill a hole in the wall. Veto... And I already mentioned
that Sonic was vetoed, unfortunately, for the same reason. Right... When I
spoke to AT&T tech support they said  the installation guy could run the
cable with the existing telephone lines. A solution, good. Then I asked if
I could use my own router with the AT&T service. I got an "I think so.".
Not as much conviction as I had hoped for. Then I asked if Linux could be
used and he told me to hold on for the next tier of tech support. When the
lady got onto the line I received the same light "Yes" on the router
question and on the Linux question I had to spell Ubuntu and Linux twice
for the tech. I was expecting a negative on the answer. She told me to hold
on for a moment and when she got back on the line she told me "Yes". A
solution, good. Then the Landlord/Manager vetoed that because he didn't
want the AT&T tech in the attic running fiber optic cable. I asked him what
would be the issue, and he wouldn't expand. Veto... Then I checked an
option that I didn't know was available. Comcast/Business. I mean, I'm not
a business... Thanks Jim. And they had an inflation fighting option that
would cost pretty much what the Sonic and AT&T service would cost. A
solution, finally... I really would have liked to use Sonic and their fiber
optic service as a change of pace. I've been forced to use the service of
the legal(?) monopoly that is Xfinity/Comcast or AT&T for many, many years.
In fact, in one city I lived in on the peninsula, one side of the street
was only AT&T and the other side of the street was only Xfinity/Comcast.
I've had a theory on why that's allowed for some time but I wont go into
that here... And in all fairness to the Landlord/ Manager, in spite of the
fact that he wants the apartment building to remain in the T.A.R.D.I.S. for
all eternity there are some very good points to living here. At least for
the time being. Also, the last time I checked, Linux (unfortunately and
fortunately) is only 1.28% of the desktop market or use. Maybe the tech
support  people will get more familiar when and if Linux breaks 5 or 10%.
Oh boy, I suddenly remember at one of the first LUG meetings I attended at
the Cafe pre-Covid (I can't wait to attend another one but my leg injury,
at present dictates otherwise) I told Jim that Linux use would explode in
the next year or two. Yeah, no Stock Market advice from me... Okay, thanks
LUGer's,  good  day to you all thanks!

On Fri, Jun 16, 2023 at 9:44 PM tom r lopes <tomrlopes at gmail.com> wrote:

> Linux would work for any Internet provider. Well as long as they provide a
> modem/router. Then you connect using DHCP.
>
> Later in this thread you elaborate that this is at&t fiber. I happen to
> have had at&t fiber and just switched to Sonic like 6 months ago.
> Anyways at&t fiber comes with a modem router. At the time the
> authentication was proprietary do you had to use their equipment. Not sure
> if that is still true or not.
>
> Sonic also has a modem but you can select modem only without router and
> supply your own router.
>
> Both services require an ONT which converts optical to Ethernet.
> Both will need a hole from the outside.
> Fiber has a minimum radius. Small turns or bends will damage the line.
>
> Both of them will need a hole from the outside. Sonic likes to also place
> a fiber switch/distribution box on the building to make it easier to
> install to other apartments in the future. (actually they would prefer to
> use an existing telecom room or box if suitable). There one fiber line
> would then be shared with up to 8 tenants.
> At&t pulled separate cable for each. But this was 2 years ago and gigabit
> fiber. I think with the local competition they are now offering 10
> gigabit.
> Well that is up to 10 gigabit. Lower by the distance from the exchange.
>
> Now about drilling a hole and your landlord - I'm not a lawyer but my
> understanding is Internet is a right and drilling a hole is a reasonable
> accommodation. But talk to a lawyer or tenant rights advocate.
> Or you can ask the landlord to provide the hole - it would need to be
> accessible from outside and near an electrical outlet inside.
> Or just let at&t do what they want and your landlord will just have to
> take it up with them. (I'm sure there is a "damage claim form")
>
> thomas
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 8:19 PM Robert Johnson <emailbox6357 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hello all,
>> this may be an old subject, but new to me, has anyone heard of using
>> Linux with the AT&T internet service? Inflation and all  the issues I'm
>> dealing with made me think about it.
>> Thoughts???
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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