Subj : Re: BBS vs. the ISP
To   : Paul Emmons
From : Mindless Automaton
Date : Tue Sep 13 2005 11:51 am

Paul Emmons wrote:
> From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
> 
> I would dearly love to be a sysop again, and Synchronet would be my first choice of software.
> 
> But before I can proceed, I need to be able to receive a Telnet connection.  And I'm afraid that my
> ISP (Verizon) simply does not allow this.
> 
> I have installed Synchronet on two computers, one with Verizon DSL and the other with dialup access
> to another ISP via an ordinary modem.  With dialup online and Synchronet running, I can use MT32 on
> my DSL machine to call it successfully.  But I cannot do the reverse.  MT32 says "connecting....
> timeout" and Synchronet just sits there "waiting for call."  I believe that I am using the correct
> four-number ISP address of the moment.  (after aiming Internet Explorer at one of those sites that
> reports it.)  It makes no difference whether my firewall is operating or not.   
> 
Got router?  Another way to check the machine IP would be to open command prompt 
and type ipconfig.

> Obviously, it is practical to run a BBS only with a broadband connection that is working whenever
> the computer is running.
> 
> Is anyone else running a BBS with Verizon DSL?  Is it usual for a broadband service to provide
> incoming Telnet?  If not, what special arrangements do you need to make and what do they cost?
> 
> I have asked two separate Verizon technical support men about this issue, and they both say that
> they know nothing about telnet and can't help me.
> 
They just usually install the stuff per the instructions.  Telnet is probably 
not on the sheet.  You'd have to try tech support and ask until you got someone 
on the line who could answer.


> The main alternative to Verizon in my area is Comcast (cable).  It is not only more expensive, but
> according to their informational web site, they specifically prohibit the customer running a server
> of any kind with the ordinary account.  It would be necessary to have a commercial account, which
> would be well over $100 a month ($200 if I recall).
> 
I might know someone using Comcast that runs synchronet on a residential account 
who has never had any calls from Comcast about it.. cough cough..


> I'm afraid I'm at an impasse unless someone can give me some pointers as to how they manage to
> maintain a BBS without paying their ISP more than their car insurer.
> 

Finally, a good read is: http://www.synchro.net/docs/tcpip_faq.html

-Mindless Automaton
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 þ Synchronet

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