Message-ID: <3E8B0820.6040808@steinkuehler.net> Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003 09:59:09 -0600 From: Charles Steinkuehler <charles@steinkuehler.net> Subject: Re: Birch as an ISP
Jason Clinton wrote:
> Charles Steinkuehler wrote:
>> Is anyone using Birch as an ISP, or have any reports, statistics, or
>> gossip regarding their service levels?
>>
>> I'm considering getting a 1 or 1.5 MBit SDSL circuit with them, and
>> would like to know if they're a reasonable data service provider, or if
>> I should steer clear of them.
>
> I just implemented a 1.5 MBit SDSL line with a non-profit I do contract
> work with. The install tech was only semi-knowledgable, but he got the
> job done. They're paying $300/mo w/ a two year contract. I don't know if
> this was just default or someone though I specified that I wanted it
> (which is fine) but, they implemented a firewall without asking. It
> actually turned out fine. The one caveat is that you are now allowed to
> access the configuration telnet interface for the DSL
> router/firewall/modem. So, if you want some ports forwarded, you have to
> call them and ask them to do it remotely.
Hmm...I'd be in a world of hurt if they put in a firewall box instead of
a plain modem (or wouldn't set it up to just pass traffic). I've got a
linux box that proxy-arp's my current /26 into 4 DMZ networks and
supports a nat'd internal net for my non-server systems.
I'll have to call and check on this.
> Their customer service has been excellent so far and I've never had to
> wait to get to a representative. All the reps have been knowledgable, too.
Good to know.
How's the actual connection? Do you get good latency and bandwidth to
most of the 'net?
> That said, I've heard good things about Everest, too. I have SBC right
> now (locked in to a one-year contract) and I _hate_ their service.
Yeah, my old SBC aDSL worked great for about a year (I was one of the
first customers in Topeka) until they started picking up enough
customers to be drastically oversubscribed. I doubt they've added any
capacity since, and this was years ago (99/00 timeframe).
-- Charles Steinkuehler charles@steinkuehler.net