Re: Problem with Actiontec wireless Cable/DSL Router and Earthlink DSL

OK, I actually got this problem fixed, though it wasn't the Ethernet
cable that was causing the problem. Apparently I was setting the
router to get the IP addresses through PPPooE instead of DHCP.
Everything works fine now, but I have *no* idea what the difference is
between PPPoE and DHCP. And I could have *sworn* that the first time
I set up the router with this connection, it was over PPPoE. Can
anyone enlighten my ignorance and tell me why this is working now?

Thanks
Stuart Albert

On 30 Jun 2003 17:52:07 -0700, Stuart Albert <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Everything works fine now, but I have *no* idea what the difference is
> between PPPoE and DHCP. And I could have *sworn* that the first time
> I set up the router with this connection, it was over PPPoE. Can

PPPoE is Point to Point Protocol Over Ethernet. Usually PPP is over
a serial line, like a modem. It's just a way of encapsulating your
IP traffic. PPP negotiates (or can negotiate) pretty much
everything DHCP can, but DHCP is designed to do it with a full
network instead of just a point to point link.

Many broadband providers use (or did use, maybe they're changing)
PPPoE. It really doesn't make a big difference to the typical
customer. It is just a setup issue.

sdb

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