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Setting-up ADSL
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ADSL is an acronym for Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL is part of a family of technologies based on the DSL concept. This family is generally referred to a xDSL where x can be A for Asynchronous or others such as SH for Symmetric High. For the average home user, you only need be concerned with ADSL.
SOHO refers to Vicnet's Small Office Home Office DSL service.
ADSL is a broadband Internet connection technology and as such offers connection to the Internet at much higher speeds.
Unlike other broadband technologies, ADSL requires very little extra work to set up because the connections are delivered through existing telephone lines.
ADSL takes advantage of the wide range of transmission capacity available on normal phone lines that previously had not been used due to the limitations of analogue signalling. The average copper (POTS) phone line uses bandwidth from 0 - 4Khz for phone calls leaving from 20Khz - 2.2Mhz of bandwidth free for other use. DSL uses the higher frequency end to transmit data signals. The lower frequency is used for normal voice traffic allowing users to have a normal phone service as well as connect to the internet.
256 refers to the download speed in Kbps. 64 is the upload speed also in Kbps. Most users need faster download speed for retrieving web pages, downloading streaming video, images and other web information.
ADSL is an 'always on' technology. So long as your hardware is powered up and your software is configured correctly, you will be connected to the Internet - there is no dialup procedure and hence no waiting.
Since you don't need to dial up every time you want to connect or restart your computer, you do not pay a 20c call charge every time you connect.
ADSL is fast. The general connectivity speed available today is up to 1.5 Mbps . A dial up connection using a 56K modem is generally capable of 50 Kbps which is substantially slower. With the faster connection you can surf the net, download video and enjoy your Internet experience.
Upload speeds are generally slower, though still faster than the dial-up modem speed. Asymmetric refers to the fact that the download speed is different to the upload speeds.
By using a splitter you can make a normal telephone call while you are connected to the Internet. This means you do not need a second phone line to ensure you don't miss important calls.
Cable modem broadband connections use the pay TV network's infrastructure to provide fast Internet connections. Only Telstra and Optus have pay TV networks meaning that choice and competition is limited.
You cannot use a cable modem connection as a telephone connection. With a cable modem connection you need a separate phone line to ensure you never miss important phone calls.
Unless you already have pay TV, installation of a cable modem broadband connection involves connecting a coaxial cable and adding a cable modem to connect to the internet.
As an ADSL connection is much faster than a dial-up connection you may find the download limit approaching quickly. Customers can check their MB download totals through their Vicnet member services .
To check your time online go to the Vicnet Help pages. You will need your username and password to login.
When you have exceeded your allocated Megabyte download limit Vicnet does not charge any further data downloaded at an excess data rate. Vicnet, however, will reduce the speed of the SOHO link to that of a dialup connection (56 kbps) once you exceed your data limit.
A number of telecommunications products are incompatible with the SOHO ADSL Service used by Vicnet. During the DSL line provisioning process these products may cause your application to fail.Customers are advised to consult their Telephone provider to discuss these services. Examples of incompatible products include, but are not restricted to, : Faxstream Duet - Auxillary Number, ISDN, Line Hunt Prime or Group Directory number (the auxillary number however can be used).
Traffic shaping is used to automatically reduce the amount of delay occurring when downloading or uploading. The data is packaged into the optimum packet size to ensure fast delivery and to minimize any congestion due to the difference in throughput between the upload and download channels.
Yes, you can use these ADSL accounts on a network, we don't charge anything for extra users/computers.
You may need to use an Ethernet router/modem, or be using Internet Sharing Software on your computers.
You may need to employ a technician to setup your network.
Vicnet will provide support for the connection to the internet but not your local area network or Internet Connection Sharing. Internet Connection sharing is supported by Windows 98 SE and later operating systems and a thorough guide is provided by Microsoft.
Follow the easy set-up instructions enclosed with your SOHO kit or access the Vicnet Help pages. For any problems contact Vicnet support.
Customers need to download the SOHO application form and fax into Vicnet.
Vicnet has an approved equipment list. The equipment on the list has been tested to ensure it provides reliable service and delivery of data. The equipment forms part of Telstra's approved equipment list as being suitable for Australian conditions.
Any, however we don't recommend using equipment that is not on Telstra's approved list.
Customers can use their current equipment however Vicnet only supports modems/routers from the approved equipment list. This equipment forms part of the Telstra approved listing which is supported by many ADSL providers. Other equipment has not been tested to meet Vicnet's minimum specifications and is the responsibility of the owner to support.
New customers need to sign-up using the SOHO Application form on the SOHO products page. The SOHO products are designed for small offices and home offices and is not suitable for organizations with large traffic and data needs.
Before signing up please check if your telephone connection is able to support DSL . Not all exchanges currently support DSL access through Telstra's network infrastructure.
Once you have checked your connection you can proceed to apply for a Vicnet SOHO account.
If you don't already own a modem or router we recommend you purchase one of the Vicnet recommended modems when you sign up. Installation instructions are included or installation can be provided as an added service.
Please carefully check the Vicnet Minimum Specification to ensure your computer meets these needs. This will save disappointment if you cannot access the service or we do not support you systems.
A filter is designed to plug into your phone socket. Its purpose is to stop interference from DSL data signals on your telephone and must be connected to each phone socket in your house. If you do not have a telephone, or any device which uses the phone line, a filter isn't required
Splitters: ADSL and normal telephone signals can create interference with each other. An ADSL splitter prevents this interference by isolating the two frequency ranges used by voice and ADSL signals. You can then access modem and telephone service over the one line from one wall jack. The ADSL splitter does not require a power source. It is installed directly with a phone, modem and phone wall jack.
Vicnet can supply all hardware that is necessary. Installation is easy. Just follow the supplied documentation or check Vicnet's Help pages.
Once the SOHO service has been provisioned and you have received your Vicnet username and password, you can set-up your modem to access the service. Set-up instructions for the connection are supplied with the Vicnet kit.
The provisioning process usually takes between 5 - 7 business days.
There are a number of issues to be aware of when organising an ADSL connection to the Internet:
- ADSL is not available on all phone services.
- Some locations cannot support an ADSL service owing to Telstra network limitations.
- The performance of the ADSL network is subject to the distance from the Telstra exchange to your your phone line.
- Telstra's copper line network architecture, and the manner in which ADSL data is moved around the city, mean that network congestion and line noise is possible on your line at some times.
- The Modem/Router supplied with your ADSL service does not support use of computer fax applications. To send a fax, you will need to have fax equipment attached to your telephone line.
ADSL Speed issues
- ADSL is only fast in one direction. The asymmetric transfer rates provided by ADSL are designed to optimise the speed of Internet downloads. As a consequence, the upload speed on ADSL is slower.
ADSL reliability issues
- Because ADSL runs over the copper voice telephone network, ADSL achieves a lower reliability level than a business oriented leased line connection.
- Vicnet utilises the Telstra network to provide the ADSL service so we are reliant on their network infrastructure services to provide DSL products.
Vicnet recommends users have the following systems set-up to reduce security problems
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