Questions about DSL modems used with Qwest ???

Three weeks ago I signed up for DSL service with Qwest and agreed to try a
2Wire 2700HG gateway (modem/router/switch) that Qwest puts their own logo on
and sells. The gateway has been working fine, but it has some features Qwest
has disabled and they won't enable the features unless I pay an additional
monthly charge. I'm wondering if the only reason they have this much control
over the gateway's features is because it came from them, or if this is just
the nature of DSL and they would have the same control regardless of what
brand/model I might try and regardless of where I bought it.

The disabled features I care about are (in order of importance):
1) Parental Controls
2) Web Remote Access
3) VoIP

I'm especially interested in the parental control feature. Here's an
excerpt about that from the tech specs for the gateway.

"Content Screening allows you to protect your kids from Web sites with
questionable content. Control what sites or types of sites children can
access. With Internet Access Control, parents can create distinct schedules
for each computer in the home. Block or allow specific applications like Web
browsing, instand messaging, and online gaming by time of day and day of
week."

If Qwest only has this control because I ordered the gateway from them, I'd
like to try a different gateway and would appreciate hearing from anyone
(especially Qwest DSL customers) who would be able to suggest another gateway
(with wireless capability) that has Parental Controls that Qwest can't
prevent me from using.

NOTE:
I'm new to DSL and home networking, so it's taken me a few weeks to realize
how much control Qwest has over the features of the gateway they sold me.
I'm now only a couple of days away from the end of the trial period so will
have to contact Qwest soon in order to get an RMA. Thanks in advance for any
light you can shed on this for me.
--
So much to learn... So little time.

As to Parental Controls, you should think of this like virus protection.
Generally there is someone you are paying a monthly fee to. If you are
getting anything more than very basic service it will normally involve a
monthly fee. It's possible to buy a router that will block a few domains,
but generally these kind of routers slow down a little with each domain you
add, as they need to check each packet against a list. It's also possible to
get a router that will block internet access for a computer during certain
hours every day. But because porn sites are here today and gone to another
address tomorrow, the list of address is always changing, and needs to be
updated daily, if you really want to filter them.

If you don't care about filtering the sites, I believe it's possible to get
software that will mail you a list of sites that have been visited.

VoIP It's possible for your ISP to block any port they please, If your VoIP
provider must use certain ports, they can be blocked. If your VoIP provider
uses dynamic ports, where they switch then it becomes much harder to block.
My experience is if the ISP is pushing one VoIP plan you'll get better
service (voice quality) with the one they are pushing.

Web Remote Access; means lots of things depending on who you are talking to.
It possible to give remote access to your router to someone, (this is
generally control with the router software.) It's also possible to give
remote control of your computer to someone. Giving control of your computer
to someone else, means increasing the risk that your computer will be hacked
into. It's certainly possible to do this with a router, but you need to
understand how to do this. And how this will affect the security of your
computer.



--
David Hettel

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights


"Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:7F5957AC-8FD5-4CEF-BABE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Three weeks ago I signed up for DSL service with Qwest and agreed to try a
> 2Wire 2700HG gateway (modem/router/switch) that Qwest puts their own logo
> on
> and sells. The gateway has been working fine, but it has some features
> Qwest
> has disabled and they won't enable the features unless I pay an additional
> monthly charge. I'm wondering if the only reason they have this much
> control
> over the gateway's features is because it came from them, or if this is
> just
> the nature of DSL and they would have the same control regardless of what
> brand/model I might try and regardless of where I bought it.
>
> The disabled features I care about are (in order of importance):
> 1) Parental Controls
> 2) Web Remote Access
> 3) VoIP
>
> I'm especially interested in the parental control feature. Here's an
> excerpt about that from the tech specs for the gateway.
>
> "Content Screening allows you to protect your kids from Web sites with
> questionable content. Control what sites or types of sites children can
> access. With Internet Access Control, parents can create distinct
> schedules
> for each computer in the home. Block or allow specific applications like
> Web
> browsing, instand messaging, and online gaming by time of day and day of
> week."
>
> If Qwest only has this control because I ordered the gateway from them,
> I'd
> like to try a different gateway and would appreciate hearing from anyone
> (especially Qwest DSL customers) who would be able to suggest another
> gateway
> (with wireless capability) that has Parental Controls that Qwest can't
> prevent me from using.
>
> NOTE:
> I'm new to DSL and home networking, so it's taken me a few weeks to
> realize
> how much control Qwest has over the features of the gateway they sold me.
> I'm now only a couple of days away from the end of the trial period so
> will
> have to contact Qwest soon in order to get an RMA. Thanks in advance for
> any
> light you can shed on this for me.
> --
> So much to learn... So little time.

Hi, David--thanks for the feedback.

Since Parental Controls are my primary interest, I'd like to talk about that
a bit more first. I follow everything you said about blocking specific
sites, as well as the potential impact on network speed, so I wasn't thinking
about trying to block/filter specific sites. But I did very much want to use
the gateway's ability to completely block access to a particular PC at
specific times of the day as well as to control the type of activity (e-mail,
web browsing, instant messaging, etc.) that could be done from that PC.

In regard to remote access, my objective is simply be to set up a VPN that I
could use to access my PC remotely.

The VoIP is something I'm curious about, but again, that feature is at the
bottom of my priority list.

So focusing back on priority #1 (Parental Controls) if a gateway has that
capability, is it something the ISP can control/disable no matter what
gateway (brand/model) is being used and regardless of whom it was purchased
from?
--
So much to learn... So little time.


"David Hettel" wrote:

> As to Parental Controls, you should think of this like virus protection.
> Generally there is someone you are paying a monthly fee to. If you are
> getting anything more than very basic service it will normally involve a
> monthly fee. It's possible to buy a router that will block a few domains,
> but generally these kind of routers slow down a little with each domain you
> add, as they need to check each packet against a list. It's also possible to
> get a router that will block internet access for a computer during certain
> hours every day. But because porn sites are here today and gone to another
> address tomorrow, the list of address is always changing, and needs to be
> updated daily, if you really want to filter them.
>
> If you don't care about filtering the sites, I believe it's possible to get
> software that will mail you a list of sites that have been visited.
>
> VoIP It's possible for your ISP to block any port they please, If your VoIP
> provider must use certain ports, they can be blocked. If your VoIP provider
> uses dynamic ports, where they switch then it becomes much harder to block.
> My experience is if the ISP is pushing one VoIP plan you'll get better
> service (voice quality) with the one they are pushing.
>
> Web Remote Access; means lots of things depending on who you are talking to.
> It possible to give remote access to your router to someone, (this is
> generally control with the router software.) It's also possible to give
> remote control of your computer to someone. Giving control of your computer
> to someone else, means increasing the risk that your computer will be hacked
> into. It's certainly possible to do this with a router, but you need to
> understand how to do this. And how this will affect the security of your
> computer.
>
>
>
> --
> David Hettel
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>
> DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> confers no rights
>
>
> "Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:7F5957AC-8FD5-4CEF-BABE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Three weeks ago I signed up for DSL service with Qwest and agreed to try a
> > 2Wire 2700HG gateway (modem/router/switch) that Qwest puts their own logo
> > on
> > and sells. The gateway has been working fine, but it has some features
> > Qwest
> > has disabled and they won't enable the features unless I pay an additional
> > monthly charge. I'm wondering if the only reason they have this much
> > control
> > over the gateway's features is because it came from them, or if this is
> > just
> > the nature of DSL and they would have the same control regardless of what
> > brand/model I might try and regardless of where I bought it.
> >
> > The disabled features I care about are (in order of importance):
> > 1) Parental Controls
> > 2) Web Remote Access
> > 3) VoIP
> >
> > I'm especially interested in the parental control feature. Here's an
> > excerpt about that from the tech specs for the gateway.
> >
> > "Content Screening allows you to protect your kids from Web sites with
> > questionable content. Control what sites or types of sites children can
> > access. With Internet Access Control, parents can create distinct
> > schedules
> > for each computer in the home. Block or allow specific applications like
> > Web
> > browsing, instand messaging, and online gaming by time of day and day of
> > week."
> >
> > If Qwest only has this control because I ordered the gateway from them,
> > I'd
> > like to try a different gateway and would appreciate hearing from anyone
> > (especially Qwest DSL customers) who would be able to suggest another
> > gateway
> > (with wireless capability) that has Parental Controls that Qwest can't
> > prevent me from using.
> >
> > NOTE:
> > I'm new to DSL and home networking, so it's taken me a few weeks to
> > realize
> > how much control Qwest has over the features of the gateway they sold me.
> > I'm now only a couple of days away from the end of the trial period so
> > will
> > have to contact Qwest soon in order to get an RMA. Thanks in advance for
> > any
> > light you can shed on this for me.
> > --
> > So much to learn... So little time.
>
>
>

Hi

The parental controls of most Cable/DSL Routers (wired or wireless) are
within the realm of the regular Marketing ploy (like indoor Wireless does
300') I.e. not a total lie, but not functional.

There are few Routers that do provide decent control, but as Dave mentioned
above, it involves subscription and might have other trepidations.

These Routers go through an online proxy that examine your Router's traffic
and decides on what action to take.

Here a review of such devices,
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1619375,00.asp

I prefer the local way, by installing this free tool as well as this Host
File.

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Par...r/pfilter.html

What is Host File, http://www.ezlan.net/host.html

The Best Host File on the Net, http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip

Jack (MVP-Networking).



"Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:BE8BE564-D8A7-456E-881E-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi, David--thanks for the feedback.
>
> Since Parental Controls are my primary interest, I'd like to talk about
> that
> a bit more first. I follow everything you said about blocking specific
> sites, as well as the potential impact on network speed, so I wasn't
> thinking
> about trying to block/filter specific sites. But I did very much want to
> use
> the gateway's ability to completely block access to a particular PC at
> specific times of the day as well as to control the type of activity
> (e-mail,
> web browsing, instant messaging, etc.) that could be done from that PC.
>
> In regard to remote access, my objective is simply be to set up a VPN that
> I
> could use to access my PC remotely.
>
> The VoIP is something I'm curious about, but again, that feature is at the
> bottom of my priority list.
>
> So focusing back on priority #1 (Parental Controls) if a gateway has that
> capability, is it something the ISP can control/disable no matter what
> gateway (brand/model) is being used and regardless of whom it was
> purchased
> from?
> --
> So much to learn... So little time.
>
>
> "David Hettel" wrote:
>
>> As to Parental Controls, you should think of this like virus protection.
>> Generally there is someone you are paying a monthly fee to. If you are
>> getting anything more than very basic service it will normally involve a
>> monthly fee. It's possible to buy a router that will block a few domains,
>> but generally these kind of routers slow down a little with each domain
>> you
>> add, as they need to check each packet against a list. It's also possible
>> to
>> get a router that will block internet access for a computer during
>> certain
>> hours every day. But because porn sites are here today and gone to
>> another
>> address tomorrow, the list of address is always changing, and needs to be
>> updated daily, if you really want to filter them.
>>
>> If you don't care about filtering the sites, I believe it's possible to
>> get
>> software that will mail you a list of sites that have been visited.
>>
>> VoIP It's possible for your ISP to block any port they please, If your
>> VoIP
>> provider must use certain ports, they can be blocked. If your VoIP
>> provider
>> uses dynamic ports, where they switch then it becomes much harder to
>> block.
>> My experience is if the ISP is pushing one VoIP plan you'll get better
>> service (voice quality) with the one they are pushing.
>>
>> Web Remote Access; means lots of things depending on who you are talking
>> to.
>> It possible to give remote access to your router to someone, (this is
>> generally control with the router software.) It's also possible to give
>> remote control of your computer to someone. Giving control of your
>> computer
>> to someone else, means increasing the risk that your computer will be
>> hacked
>> into. It's certainly possible to do this with a router, but you need to
>> understand how to do this. And how this will affect the security of your
>> computer.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> David Hettel
>>
>> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
>> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
>> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>>
>> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>>
>> DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> confers no rights
>>
>>
>> "Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:7F5957AC-8FD5-4CEF-BABE-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > Three weeks ago I signed up for DSL service with Qwest and agreed to
>> > try a
>> > 2Wire 2700HG gateway (modem/router/switch) that Qwest puts their own
>> > logo
>> > on
>> > and sells. The gateway has been working fine, but it has some features
>> > Qwest
>> > has disabled and they won't enable the features unless I pay an
>> > additional
>> > monthly charge. I'm wondering if the only reason they have this much
>> > control
>> > over the gateway's features is because it came from them, or if this is
>> > just
>> > the nature of DSL and they would have the same control regardless of
>> > what
>> > brand/model I might try and regardless of where I bought it.
>> >
>> > The disabled features I care about are (in order of importance):
>> > 1) Parental Controls
>> > 2) Web Remote Access
>> > 3) VoIP
>> >
>> > I'm especially interested in the parental control feature. Here's an
>> > excerpt about that from the tech specs for the gateway.
>> >
>> > "Content Screening allows you to protect your kids from Web sites with
>> > questionable content. Control what sites or types of sites children
>> > can
>> > access. With Internet Access Control, parents can create distinct
>> > schedules
>> > for each computer in the home. Block or allow specific applications
>> > like
>> > Web
>> > browsing, instand messaging, and online gaming by time of day and day
>> > of
>> > week."
>> >
>> > If Qwest only has this control because I ordered the gateway from them,
>> > I'd
>> > like to try a different gateway and would appreciate hearing from
>> > anyone
>> > (especially Qwest DSL customers) who would be able to suggest another
>> > gateway
>> > (with wireless capability) that has Parental Controls that Qwest can't
>> > prevent me from using.
>> >
>> > NOTE:
>> > I'm new to DSL and home networking, so it's taken me a few weeks to
>> > realize
>> > how much control Qwest has over the features of the gateway they sold
>> > me.
>> > I'm now only a couple of days away from the end of the trial period so
>> > will
>> > have to contact Qwest soon in order to get an RMA. Thanks in advance
>> > for
>> > any
>> > light you can shed on this for me.
>> > --
>> > So much to learn... So little time.
>>
>>
>>

Jack,

Thanks for the feedback and the links. I'm still not clear though if it's
typical for a phone company like Qwest to have the power/authority to disable
a gateway feature that's suppose to let me decide if and when a specifice PC
on my home network can even access the net. Isn't that function of the
gateway dealing strictly with things that are happening on "my" network?
Doesn't that feature pertain only to what's happening on "my" side of the
firewall? Or are you saying that the decision to allow access is not really
being made on my side of the firewall? Is that what you were getting at when
you said:

"These Routers go through an online proxy that examine your Router's traffic
and decides on what action to take."

I can understand that being the case in terms of filtering which internet
sites a particular PC can access once on the internet, but I would have
thought the control feature that says "You can't get on the web now because
it's after 11:00 PM" would have been happening on my side of the firewall.

I'll check out the links you provided. Maybe they'll clear it up for me. ;-)

--
So much to learn... So little time.


"Jack (MVP-Networking)." wrote:

> Hi
>
> The parental controls of most Cable/DSL Routers (wired or wireless) are
> within the realm of the regular Marketing ploy (like indoor Wireless does
> 300') I.e. not a total lie, but not functional.
>
> There are few Routers that do provide decent control, but as Dave mentioned
> above, it involves subscription and might have other trepidations.
>
> These Routers go through an online proxy that examine your Router's traffic
> and decides on what action to take.
>
> Here a review of such devices,
> http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1619375,00.asp
>
> I prefer the local way, by installing this free tool as well as this Host
> File.
>
> http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Par...r/pfilter.html
>
> What is Host File, http://www.ezlan.net/host.html
>
> The Best Host File on the Net, http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>
>
> "Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:BE8BE564-D8A7-456E-881E-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi, David--thanks for the feedback.
> >
> > Since Parental Controls are my primary interest, I'd like to talk about
> > that
> > a bit more first. I follow everything you said about blocking specific
> > sites, as well as the potential impact on network speed, so I wasn't
> > thinking
> > about trying to block/filter specific sites. But I did very much want to
> > use
> > the gateway's ability to completely block access to a particular PC at
> > specific times of the day as well as to control the type of activity
> > (e-mail,
> > web browsing, instant messaging, etc.) that could be done from that PC.
> >
> > In regard to remote access, my objective is simply be to set up a VPN that
> > I
> > could use to access my PC remotely.
> >
> > The VoIP is something I'm curious about, but again, that feature is at the
> > bottom of my priority list.
> >
> > So focusing back on priority #1 (Parental Controls) if a gateway has that
> > capability, is it something the ISP can control/disable no matter what
> > gateway (brand/model) is being used and regardless of whom it was
> > purchased
> > from?
> > --
> > So much to learn... So little time.
> >
> >
> > "David Hettel" wrote:
> >
> >> As to Parental Controls, you should think of this like virus protection.
> >> Generally there is someone you are paying a monthly fee to. If you are
> >> getting anything more than very basic service it will normally involve a
> >> monthly fee. It's possible to buy a router that will block a few domains,
> >> but generally these kind of routers slow down a little with each domain
> >> you
> >> add, as they need to check each packet against a list. It's also possible
> >> to
> >> get a router that will block internet access for a computer during
> >> certain
> >> hours every day. But because porn sites are here today and gone to
> >> another
> >> address tomorrow, the list of address is always changing, and needs to be
> >> updated daily, if you really want to filter them.
> >>
> >> If you don't care about filtering the sites, I believe it's possible to
> >> get
> >> software that will mail you a list of sites that have been visited.
> >>
> >> VoIP It's possible for your ISP to block any port they please, If your
> >> VoIP
> >> provider must use certain ports, they can be blocked. If your VoIP
> >> provider
> >> uses dynamic ports, where they switch then it becomes much harder to
> >> block.
> >> My experience is if the ISP is pushing one VoIP plan you'll get better
> >> service (voice quality) with the one they are pushing.
> >>
> >> Web Remote Access; means lots of things depending on who you are talking
> >> to.
> >> It possible to give remote access to your router to someone, (this is
> >> generally control with the router software.) It's also possible to give
> >> remote control of your computer to someone. Giving control of your
> >> computer
> >> to someone else, means increasing the risk that your computer will be
> >> hacked
> >> into. It's certainly possible to do this with a router, but you need to
> >> understand how to do this. And how this will affect the security of your
> >> computer.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> David Hettel
> >>
> >> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> >> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> >> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
> >>
> >> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> >>
> >> DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> >> confers no rights
> >>
> >>
> >> "Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:7F5957AC-8FD5-4CEF-BABE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > Three weeks ago I signed up for DSL service with Qwest and agreed to
> >> > try a
> >> > 2Wire 2700HG gateway (modem/router/switch) that Qwest puts their own
> >> > logo
> >> > on
> >> > and sells. The gateway has been working fine, but it has some features
> >> > Qwest
> >> > has disabled and they won't enable the features unless I pay an
> >> > additional
> >> > monthly charge. I'm wondering if the only reason they have this much
> >> > control
> >> > over the gateway's features is because it came from them, or if this is
> >> > just
> >> > the nature of DSL and they would have the same control regardless of
> >> > what
> >> > brand/model I might try and regardless of where I bought it.
> >> >
> >> > The disabled features I care about are (in order of importance):
> >> > 1) Parental Controls
> >> > 2) Web Remote Access
> >> > 3) VoIP
> >> >
> >> > I'm especially interested in the parental control feature. Here's an
> >> > excerpt about that from the tech specs for the gateway.
> >> >
> >> > "Content Screening allows you to protect your kids from Web sites with
> >> > questionable content. Control what sites or types of sites children
> >> > can
> >> > access. With Internet Access Control, parents can create distinct
> >> > schedules
> >> > for each computer in the home. Block or allow specific applications
> >> > like
> >> > Web
> >> > browsing, instand messaging, and online gaming by time of day and day
> >> > of
> >> > week."
> >> >
> >> > If Qwest only has this control because I ordered the gateway from them,
> >> > I'd
> >> > like to try a different gateway and would appreciate hearing from
> >> > anyone
> >> > (especially Qwest DSL customers) who would be able to suggest another
> >> > gateway
> >> > (with wireless capability) that has Parental Controls that Qwest can't
> >> > prevent me from using.
> >> >
> >> > NOTE:
> >> > I'm new to DSL and home networking, so it's taken me a few weeks to
> >> > realize
> >> > how much control Qwest has over the features of the gateway they sold
> >> > me.
> >> > I'm now only a couple of days away from the end of the trial period so
> >> > will
> >> > have to contact Qwest soon in order to get an RMA. Thanks in advance
> >> > for
> >> > any
> >> > light you can shed on this for me.
> >> > --
> >> > So much to learn... So little time.
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Jack,

I checked out the links you provided. Based on the PC Mag article, it
sounds like it's the gateway manufacturer that decides if the feature that
allows someone to restrict a PC's access based on day-of-week and/or
time-of-day is implemented as a hardware feature on the home-network side of
the firewall or as a software feature on the ISP's side. Please correct me
if I got that wrong.

I also downloaded the Parental Filter freeware you kindly pointed out and
will take a look at that. I then took a quick look at the host file. I
don't have a handle on that yet but hope to look at it again soon.

Thanks again for the links.
--
So much to learn... So little time.


"Jack (MVP-Networking)." wrote:

> Hi
>
> The parental controls of most Cable/DSL Routers (wired or wireless) are
> within the realm of the regular Marketing ploy (like indoor Wireless does
> 300') I.e. not a total lie, but not functional.
>
> There are few Routers that do provide decent control, but as Dave mentioned
> above, it involves subscription and might have other trepidations.
>
> These Routers go through an online proxy that examine your Router's traffic
> and decides on what action to take.
>
> Here a review of such devices,
> http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1619375,00.asp
>
> I prefer the local way, by installing this free tool as well as this Host
> File.
>
> http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Par...r/pfilter.html
>
> What is Host File, http://www.ezlan.net/host.html
>
> The Best Host File on the Net, http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>
>
> "Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:BE8BE564-D8A7-456E-881E-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi, David--thanks for the feedback.
> >
> > Since Parental Controls are my primary interest, I'd like to talk about
> > that
> > a bit more first. I follow everything you said about blocking specific
> > sites, as well as the potential impact on network speed, so I wasn't
> > thinking
> > about trying to block/filter specific sites. But I did very much want to
> > use
> > the gateway's ability to completely block access to a particular PC at
> > specific times of the day as well as to control the type of activity
> > (e-mail,
> > web browsing, instant messaging, etc.) that could be done from that PC.
> >
> > In regard to remote access, my objective is simply be to set up a VPN that
> > I
> > could use to access my PC remotely.
> >
> > The VoIP is something I'm curious about, but again, that feature is at the
> > bottom of my priority list.
> >
> > So focusing back on priority #1 (Parental Controls) if a gateway has that
> > capability, is it something the ISP can control/disable no matter what
> > gateway (brand/model) is being used and regardless of whom it was
> > purchased
> > from?
> > --
> > So much to learn... So little time.
> >
> >
> > "David Hettel" wrote:
> >
> >> As to Parental Controls, you should think of this like virus protection.
> >> Generally there is someone you are paying a monthly fee to. If you are
> >> getting anything more than very basic service it will normally involve a
> >> monthly fee. It's possible to buy a router that will block a few domains,
> >> but generally these kind of routers slow down a little with each domain
> >> you
> >> add, as they need to check each packet against a list. It's also possible
> >> to
> >> get a router that will block internet access for a computer during
> >> certain
> >> hours every day. But because porn sites are here today and gone to
> >> another
> >> address tomorrow, the list of address is always changing, and needs to be
> >> updated daily, if you really want to filter them.
> >>
> >> If you don't care about filtering the sites, I believe it's possible to
> >> get
> >> software that will mail you a list of sites that have been visited.
> >>
> >> VoIP It's possible for your ISP to block any port they please, If your
> >> VoIP
> >> provider must use certain ports, they can be blocked. If your VoIP
> >> provider
> >> uses dynamic ports, where they switch then it becomes much harder to
> >> block.
> >> My experience is if the ISP is pushing one VoIP plan you'll get better
> >> service (voice quality) with the one they are pushing.
> >>
> >> Web Remote Access; means lots of things depending on who you are talking
> >> to.
> >> It possible to give remote access to your router to someone, (this is
> >> generally control with the router software.) It's also possible to give
> >> remote control of your computer to someone. Giving control of your
> >> computer
> >> to someone else, means increasing the risk that your computer will be
> >> hacked
> >> into. It's certainly possible to do this with a router, but you need to
> >> understand how to do this. And how this will affect the security of your
> >> computer.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> David Hettel
> >>
> >> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> >> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> >> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
> >>
> >> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> >>
> >> DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> >> confers no rights
> >>
> >>
> >> "Roughneck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:7F5957AC-8FD5-4CEF-BABE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > Three weeks ago I signed up for DSL service with Qwest and agreed to
> >> > try a
> >> > 2Wire 2700HG gateway (modem/router/switch) that Qwest puts their own
> >> > logo
> >> > on
> >> > and sells. The gateway has been working fine, but it has some features
> >> > Qwest
> >> > has disabled and they won't enable the features unless I pay an
> >> > additional
> >> > monthly charge. I'm wondering if the only reason they have this much
> >> > control
> >> > over the gateway's features is because it came from them, or if this is
> >> > just
> >> > the nature of DSL and they would have the same control regardless of
> >> > what
> >> > brand/model I might try and regardless of where I bought it.
> >> >
> >> > The disabled features I care about are (in order of importance):
> >> > 1) Parental Controls
> >> > 2) Web Remote Access
> >> > 3) VoIP
> >> >
> >> > I'm especially interested in the parental control feature. Here's an
> >> > excerpt about that from the tech specs for the gateway.
> >> >
> >> > "Content Screening allows you to protect your kids from Web sites with
> >> > questionable content. Control what sites or types of sites children
> >> > can
> >> > access. With Internet Access Control, parents can create distinct
> >> > schedules
> >> > for each computer in the home. Block or allow specific applications
> >> > like
> >> > Web
> >> > browsing, instand messaging, and online gaming by time of day and day
> >> > of
> >> > week."
> >> >
> >> > If Qwest only has this control because I ordered the gateway from them,
> >> > I'd
> >> > like to try a different gateway and would appreciate hearing from
> >> > anyone
> >> > (especially Qwest DSL customers) who would be able to suggest another
> >> > gateway
> >> > (with wireless capability) that has Parental Controls that Qwest can't
> >> > prevent me from using.
> >> >
> >> > NOTE:
> >> > I'm new to DSL and home networking, so it's taken me a few weeks to
> >> > realize
> >> > how much control Qwest has over the features of the gateway they sold
> >> > me.
> >> > I'm now only a couple of days away from the end of the trial period so
> >> > will
> >> > have to contact Qwest soon in order to get an RMA. Thanks in advance
> >> > for
> >> > any
> >> > light you can shed on this for me.
> >> > --
> >> > So much to learn... So little time.
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>