1. What, actually, is DSL?
  2. Physically, what is a DSL circuit?
  3. Is DSL a service?
  4. Does DSL work over the existing PSTN?
  5. What information is required to check availability?
  6. Will I need separate, dedicated networks to support video, voice and data services?
  7. Where does the DSL router get placed?
  8. What is inside wiring?
  9. Can an existing ISDN line be used?
  10. Is the circuit full or half duplex?
  11. How does my computer connect to the DSL router?
  12. Is Ethernet the only type of connection available on the DSL router?
  13. What does the Ethernet 10baseT connector look like
  14. Does my computer need an Ethernet card? What is a NIC?
  15. Can I connect more than one computer to the DSL service?
  16. Can I connect a router and a LAN to the One Online DSL service?
  17. What is a network address translation (NAT) device?
  18. How can I use address translation to conserve IP addresses?
  19. If I use address translation, what IP addresses should I use for my internal machines?
  20. How can I implement address translation? What are some good translation devices?
  21. Can I install a firewall? Where would I install one?
  22. I've heard that traffic isn't kept separate on DSL networks. That sounds like a security risk. Is my DSL traffic kept separate from other One Online DSL customers' traffic?
  23. How has One Online implemented Traffic Isolation?
  24. What DSL routers does One Online use in the One Online DSL service?
  25. Is there a charge for changing the speed of my service?
  26. Do I get IP addresses? How many?
  27. How many addresses are included? How many can I get?
  28. What if I need more than 64 IP addresses?
  29. Do I get to keep the IP addresses if I discontinue my One Online DSL service?
  30. Are the IP addresses static?
  31. How does a customer assign IP addresses to their PCs?
  32. How do I move from my existing ISDN service to One Online DSL?
  33. Can I run a server using this service? Are there any restrictions on running servers?
  34. How long does it take after an order is placed until the line is installed?
  35. Is there a separate installation appointment for the line and then for the DSL router?
  36. Are there limits of DSL?
  37. What happens if I order DSL service?
  38. What speed/cost options are available in One Online's DSL offering?
  39. How much does installation and DSL equipment cost?
  40. I understand that others will be providing DSL services, what makes One Online better?


1. What, actually, is DSL?
One Online's Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service provides for high-speed connections to the Internet over a single pair of copper phone lines.
When you access the Internet, you won't have to log in any longer. All you need to do is click on a web browser, or an e-mail client etc.., and you're on. The connection is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No more logging in and logging off. Just click and go.
And the connections are very fast. Even the slowest connection speed offered is 200K -- that's about 7 times as fast as a 28.8 modem and faster then an ISDN line. To put that in concrete terms, a file that normally would take an hour to download from the net over a modem will now take a mere 9 minutes. The average web page pops up in under a second.
(Note: At this time, the 200K only refers to the minimum offered speed--the rate that you can transfer data in both direction. One Online may provide the maximum speed (1.5 MB) which is over 25 times faster than a 56K modem and 10 times faster then ISDN.)
And of course, when you order One Online DSL services you get all the benefits of a normal One Online account -- e-mail, newsgroups, blistering fast web access, all the great things on the net. Naturally, you also get the benefits of One Online 's promotional offer.


2. Physically, what is a DSL circuit?
A DSL circuit is no different than a regular phone circuit. It uses the same wires as a regular voice telephone line. The only difference is that at the phone company central office, the DSL circuit is connected to data networking equipment called a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) instead of the standard telephone voice switches. The other part of the DSL circuit is connected to the DSL router on customer side.
The DSL circuit installation is not much different than a regular phone line installation. Just like a regular phone line, the DSL circuit terminates at what is called the Minimum Point of Entry, or MPOE. This is usually a punch down block in a wiring closet (for most businesses) or in the basement, garage, or utility room (for most residences).


3. Is DSL a service?
No. DSL is a transmission technology that can be used to support a wide variety of services. Different DSL equipment implementations are required to support different services.


4. Does DSL work over the existing PSTN?
No. DSL is a local loop transmission technology that can be provisioned over the existing local loops, either CO to service user or point-to-point in campus environments. DSL can be optionally configured to operate concurrent with existing POTS. However, DSL does not traverse the PSTN. DSL-based services are redirected to other WAN services prior to interfacing with the switched network.


5. What information is required to check availability?
DSL availability is determined with two pieces of information:

  • The area code and prefix of a phone number at the desired service location
  • The address of the desired service location

You can check for DSL availability at your location using our DSL availability checker.


6. Will I need separate, dedicated networks to support video, voice, and data services?
No. Advancements in compression for networking technologies allow support of both traditional data, voice, and even moderate quality video services over IP networks today. Advancements in QoS initiatives for IP will continue to enhance the level of quality of these services over IP, and they will proliferate because of the ubiquity of IP networks.


7. Where does the DSL router get placed?
Wherever in the building the customer wants (*). Inside wiring is run from the MPOE to a customer specified location. An RJ outlet is placed at the end of the inside wiring run.
* Materials included are an RJ outlet and up to 50 feet of Category 5 four pair PVC wire for the inside wiring run. So actually, only a 50 foot run from the MPOE to the RJ outlet are included. Longer runs can be made, but the customer will be billed for extra materials.


8. What is inside wiring?
From the MPOE (the Minimum Point of Entry, which is the point where the line enters the customer premise and is terminated), a cable must be run to where the DSL router is to be located. The line is a standard Cat3 or Cat5 twisted pair cable, similar to a regular phone line.
The run from the MPOE to the DSL router is the Inside Wiring portion of the installation. An RJ jack is installed at the end of the inside wiring run.


9. Can an existing ISDN line be used?
Yes, but only with an IDSL circuit.


10. Is the circuit full or half duplex?
The DSL circuit is full duplex. This means that data can flow in both directions at the same time, providing use of the full bandwidth of the circuit.


11. How does my computer connect to the DSL router?
The DSL circuit plugs into the DSL router using an Ethernet twisted pair cable, with an RJ45 jack at the DSL router end. The cable can be plugged into an Ethernet Network Interface Card on the PC.


12. Is Ethernet the only type of connection available on the DSL router?
Yes. The only supported connection type is a 10baseT, or twisted pair, connection. The connector that must at the end of the cable must be an RJ45 connector.


13. What does the Ethernet 10baseT connector look like? It says RJ45?
An RJ45 jack is very similar to a regular telephone jack, which is an RJ-11 jack, only larger. Both of them use four wires, but the signals carried on the wires are used differently. An RJ45 connector is used for local area network Ethernet connections, which carry data at 10Mbps. 10BaseT is the term for 10Mbps Ethernet using a twisted pair cable.


14. Does my computer need an Ethernet card? What as a NIC?
Yes. A Network Interface Card (NIC) must be installed in your PC. A 10baseT twisted pair cable is used to connect from the DSL router directly to an Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) in your PC.


15. Can I connect more than one computer to the DSL service? How?
Yes, more than one computer may be connected and share the DSL connection. Simply connect the DSL router to an Ethernet Hub, and connect a cable from the NIC cards on each PC to the ports on the Ethernet hub or connect up to 12 PC's direct to the router.
Installing a hub is the simplest way to create a local area network (a LAN). However, each PC needs to have its own NIC card, as well as its own IP address. IP addresses are assigned by One Online, as described below.


16. Can I connect a router and a LAN to the One Online DSL service?
Yes, however One Online will only provide routing for IP addresses that are assigned to you. If you wish to provide routing for other IP addresses, you should configure Network Address Translation (NAT) on your router or install an address translation device.


17. What is a network address translation (NAT) device?
This is a router or other network device that makes all connections to external destinations on behalf of the machines on your network, and makes the connections from its own device. Because this device is making all the external connections, it is the only one that needs an IP address visible to the outside world.


18. How can I use address translation to conserve IP addresses?
The translation device allows you to use as many IP addresses as you would like on your internal machines, yet use only a single IP address to connect to external destinations.


19. If I use address translation, what IP addresses should I use for my internal machines?
There are several IP network numbers set aside by the Internet standards bodies specifically for this purpose. RFC1597 lists the IP numbers you should use on internal machines when implementing address translation. These include the 10.0.0.0 Class A IP block and the 192.168.0.0 Class B IP block. Also included are a range of IP addresses in the 172.16.0.0 Class B IP block.


20. How can I implement address translation? What are some good translation devices?
Routers provided by One Online (NETOPIA 7100 and FlowPoint 2200) have built in NAT option. Many routers are capable of address translation. Most firewalls also provide address translation as a feature. There are also some devices designed specifically for address translation, Finally, technically competent individuals can create their own translation devices using a single PC with two network interface cards and the appropriately configured operating system and software.


21. Can I install a firewall? Where would I install one?
Yes. A firewall device can be installed on your network. NETOPIA 7100 and FlowPoint 2200 routers have a built in firewall option.


22. I've heard that traffic isn't kept separate on DSL networks. That sounds like a security risk. Is my DSL traffic kept separate from other One Online DSL customers' traffic?
Traffic from one One Online DSL customer is not relayed to other One Online DSL customers. Customer traffic is kept separate and is isolated. Traffic on one One Online DSL customer's connection is not visible on another One Online DSL customer's network.
Each One Online DSL customer's circuit connects to a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) at the telephone company Central Office. From the DSLAM, traffic from multiple customers is carried to the One Online Network SuperPOP using very high speed backhaul circuits. Although the traffic is carried together across the same backhaul circuit, One Online uses many mechanisms to ensure that individual customer's traffic is kept separate from each other.


23. How has One Online implemented Traffic Isolation?
The technical description of One Online's DSL traffic isolation implementation is that although the DSL routers are configured in ATM Virtual Circuit mode (VC) mode, One Online uses separate virtual circuits for each customer DSL router. No ARP broadcasts are ever forwarded from one customer to another. Additionally, Source Routing is not allowed, preventing spoofing of IP addresses.


24. What DSL routers does One Online use in the One Online DSL service?
Several routers are used. One Online had best experience with Netopia 7100 And FlowPoint 2200 routers.


25. Is there a charge for changing the speed of my service?
Yes. The DSL router can be reused and can be reconfigured remotely without having to replace it. The DSL circuit must be reconfigured for the new speed, and your connection to the One Online network backbone must be reset as well.+


26. Do I get IP addresses? How many?
One Online provides IP addresses for the customer to use with the One Online DSL service.


27. How many addresses are included? How many can I get?
Twelve IP addresses are included with the service. Up to 64 addresses may be obtained (a network diagram and justification must be submitted, however).


28. What if I need more than 64 IP addresses?
We recommend you use Network Address Translation (NAT) as described earlier.


29. Do I get to keep the IP addresses if I discontinue my One Online DSL service?
No. The address are part of One Online's IP address space. They remain One Online's and you must discontinue using the address if you discontinue your One Online DSL service.


30. Are the IP addresses static?
Yes. At the current time One Online is providing static IP addresses. Static addresses mean that you are assigned fixed IP addresses that do not change during the term of your service. This allows you to do certain tasks that require a fixed IP address, such as run a World Wide Web or other Internet server, or connect remotely to your machines.


31. How does a customer assign IP addresses to their PCs?
Each PC, whether directly connected to the DSL router or on a LAN, must be configured for a direct network connection.
The items that have to be configured are:

  • IP address
  • Default router or Default Gateway
  • Domain name server's IP address

These items must be set correctly in order to have Internet connectivity.
The necessary configuration information is provided to the customer by the One Online Provisioning Technician before the circuit is installed.


32. How do I move from my existing ISDN service to One Online DSL?
The IP addresses would need to be renumbered. DNS would need to be moved and updated. A new idsl line would need to be installed. The line can be connected to the existing inside wiring. An IDSL router is required. The IDSL equipment would need to be configured to the correct parameters.


33. Can I run a server using this service? Are there any restrictions on running servers?
A server may be run. There are no restrictions other than One Online's Acceptable Use Policy restrictions as outlined in the Service Agreement.


34. How long does it take after an order is placed until the line is installed?
One Online's current installation timeframe from taking an order until the circuit is operational is 30 days.


35. Is there a separate installation appointment for the line and then for the DSL router?
No. There is just one appointment to install both the DSL circuit and the DSL router.


36. Are there limits of DSL?
Yes, there are several.
DSL services can only run over certain phone lines, and usually you need to be within about 15,000 feet of a phone company central office to get the service. In testing the circuits, One Online has found that some people as far as 18,000 feet away from a central office can get DSL service.
Based on One Online's research, most people in Pittsburgh are close enough to a central office. The issue of whether the phone line itself can support DSL service is much more complicated. All lines for DSL service will have to be tested -- "qualified" in phone company lingo -- for use with DSL equipment.
The availability is dependent entirely on what nature of the individual lines that connect your location to a Northpoint switching office. It is possible -- indeed, this will happen -- that two people living next door to each other will find themselves in a situation where one can get DSL service and the other can't.


37. What happens if I order DSL service?
There are two parts to One Online's DSL offering -- the first is the actual physical circuit, provided by Northpoint, and the second is the Internet connectivity and services, which One Online handles.
The first thing that needs to happen is to inform Northpoint that you want DSL service. You can do that one of two ways:

  • Call us
  • You can use the form we have placed online at http://www.one-online.com.

Northpoint will then test your phone lines to see if they qualify. If you call in, they can check their database -- usually during the call. If you fill out the online form, then you can see an immediate result.
If your lines qualify, then a tentative installation date will be set.
You also should be asked which set of hardware you want. To find out more about the two different type of hardware, you will want to check out "What is this about new hardware options?" at the bottom of this FAQ.
Then all you need to do is sit back and wait for your DSL line to be activated. When the installation order is placed, the DSL equipment you need will be mailed to you (or it will be installed by a Northpoint technician on the install date, if you decide to go with the $269 install option when you order).
Once your DSL is ready, give One Online DSL a call. At that point we can setup billing, give you your One Online usernames and passwords, and activate your Internet access on our end.
In the event there is a snag somewhere in the Northpoint portion of the process, we handle the troubleshooting for you. Just give us a call at the One Online DSL number to let us know the problem you are having. We are your advocate and we use the full power of the most aggressive ISP in Pittsburgh to make sure any problems are resolved as quickly as possible.


38. What speed/cost options are available in One Online's DSL offering?
One Online's DSL plans have several options.

  • 144K bi-directional
  • 200K bi-directional
  • 416K bi-directional
  • 784K bi-directional
  • 1.04M bi-directional
  • 1.5M bi-directional


39. I understand that others will be providing DSL services, what makes One Online better?
Yes, it's true there will be others that provide ISP services for DSL connections. However, we feel One Online is the best place to have your DSL link handled.
As a practical matter, taking care of DSL connections requires a fairly substantial investment in infrastructure.
From the service provider's perspective, DSL isn't for the faint at heart. Some places will say they support DSL, but the speed of your connection to the home doesn't do you much good if the ISP won't invest in the other things you need to actually use that speed.
Doing this right costs money and One Online has been planning for DSL for nearly two years. One Online already has the most advanced technical infrastructure of any local ISP. And we added to that when DSL arrived--more and faster servers, more bandwidth to the Internet, the works. We also added dedicated staff specifically to handle the DSL project.
Because One Online has been working to bring DSL to this market since 1997, we understand the needs and nuances of the service better than anyone else in Pittsburgh.


40. What makes One Online's DSL offering unique?
We will allow companies to create seamless, password protected internal intranet applications -- as well as push material up to the public -- at extremely affordably rates.
We are working toward a wide-scale electronic commerce initiative that will be delivered in phases over 1999. E-commerce applications will give local businesses chance to grow the local economy.
Part of our long-range goal is to help create a seamless business community network linked by high-speed connections. Such a wired community will be a powerful force that brims with possibilities.