Question #11:  Will the DI-701 work with PPPoE?

Yes. The new firmware (starting from v.2.2) supports PPPoE. The new firmware is available on D-Link's web site at Technical Support > Downloads > Internet Servers > DI-701

Question #12:   How can I tell if I am using PPPoE?

If you have a broadband connection and have to login to your provider with a user name and passsword in a similar fashion to how you would dial in with a modem, you are probably using PPPoE. If you are simply connected to the Internet when you turn on your computer, you probably are not. The safest way to check is to call your provider, or read the documentation provided with your Internet service to determine if you currently use PPPoE. Download the new firmware provided on our web site if you use PPPoE.

Question #13:   What is PPPoE?

PPPoE stands for Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet. It is a non-standard method of connecting to your ISP to gain an IP address. It relies upon a software client that is provided by the ISP. An IP address is required to gain a connection to the Internet.

Question #14:  Is PPPoE a standard?

No. PPPoE is a proprietary method of creating a virtual connection between an ISP's network and a client machine. Currently it has not been endorsed or accepted by any relevant Internet standards bodies. The new revision of the DI-701's firmware enables it to support PPPoE. The new firmware is now available for download.

Question #15:   Why does my provider use PPPoE?

PPPoE emulates a Dial-Up Network (DUN) connection. It allows your ISP to use their existing network configuration with newer broadband technologies. The new firmware available for download, supports PPPoE.

Question #16:   What are some of the problems with PPPoE and Home Networking?

PPPoE is based on many of the same principles used by Dial-Up Network connections. It effectively assumes that individual client machines are connecting to the Internet autonomously. Each computer that connects must run its own PPPoE client to gain an IP address from the provider. Some resulting potential problems with Home Networking are as follows:

Difficult Local Configuration.  Local machines may not be able to network locally using TCP/IP without expensive local hardware and/or software. Each client that connects may get an IP address in a separate subnet. For two computers in separate subnets to communicate a router is required.

Security.  PPPoE prevents most hardware based firewalls from functioning properly. Those firewalls with PPPoE support typically use PPPoE relay, which simply allows PPPoE packets to pass without significant inspection or blocking.

Performance.  Performance can be impacted in two ways. First the PPPoE connection adds additional overhead. Overhead is made up of the extra bits that make up the information flowing between computers. The actual data being sent through your broadband connection includes the information you intend to send, like a file for instance, and the overhead that is used by the routers and computers to transfer that data successfully. Overhead is the reason that when you download a file, the actual transfer rate may be lower than the theoretical speed of your Internet connection.

Secondly if you have a home network and are using TCP/IP, then odds are your multiple computers will be on different subnets if they all must use PPPoE to gain an IP address. This means that any local TCP/IP traffic will be forced over your broadband connection and through your ISP's routers. Naturally this traffic will take up the bandwidth of your broadband connection instead of just using the large available bandwidth of your local network. In corporate networks a local network is always isolated from a remote connection with a bridge or router to ensure that local traffic does not waste the precious bandwidth of the remote connection. PPPoE doesn't just prevent a router or bridge from functioning for this purpose, it also forces traffic on your network over your broadband connection to your ISP and maybe even on to the Internet. This may cause performance problems.

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