ADSL configuration and links

This page contains:

Configuring the Alcatel Speed Touch PC with Demon Express Solo

I have been through a 'dark night of the soul' trying to get this configured, with the help of gleanings from the Internet, a lot of trial and error, but with zero from the Demon ADSL (so-called) Technical Helpdesk.

I am running Windows 98SE with the Alcatel Speed Touch PC ADSL modem card and connecting to Demon as ISP. An ADSL link is only supplied by BT in the UK, I believe. There is no guarantee that these settings will work for anyone else, but it may be a good start and an encouragement to try various configurations.

The protocol is RFC2364, point-to-point protocol over ATM. I understand that this is the only one supplied by BT. This affects the driver you choose to load for the modem.

Installation of the card and loading of the drivers is as expected and goes according to the instructions. It produces a new entry in 'Dial up networking' folder (usually found under Start Menu/Programs/Accessories/Communications).

Right clicking the system tray icon and choosing 'Configuration' is where the puzzle starts. I have set VPI (virtual path identifier) to 0 and VCI (virtual channel identifier) to 38. I understand this is the same for all BT's ADSL.

The Framing I found that works is 'VC MUX' (Virtual Circuit Multiplexing) not 'LLC/SNAP' (Logical Link Control/Sub-Network Access Protocol). If you change this setting, you have to click the 'Setting' button and reboot. Only one mode is ticked: 'ITM G.992.1 (G.dmt)'.

Testing the line

Testing the line is described in http://www.demon.net/helpdesk/adsl/conversion.shtml. Double-click the new dial-up-networking entry and enter bt_test_user@anchor-????.demonadsl.co.uk (where ???? is in given in your letter from Demon). The password can be left blank. If you get an error message, then some of the previous configuration may be incorrect. If the connection window disappears, I assume that the line is ok so far. Demon helpdesk told me you can't do anything else at this stage, but some people seem to imply you can go to a BT html page and download a video file.

Conversion from Demon SDU

As described at http://www.demon.net/helpdesk/adsl/conversion.shtml you use your EXISTING SDU connection to go to https://www.password.uk.demon.net, log in with your previous SDU password, confirm that the line is ok and press the 'Express Conversion' button. This doesn't happen exactly as described in the Demon web page, but it's fairly clear. You are now given a new ADSL IP address. As always with computing things, print out every page or write down everything that might in any possible way be the slightest bit useful at any imaginable moment in the future! As is made clear, once you've converted there's no going back, so it's time for a leap of faith as you disconnect from SDU.

Dial up connection properties

Right click your new dial-up-networking entry and select Properties.

General: Telephone number can be left at 0.

Server types: only ONE tick here - TCP/IP. Now click TCP/IP settings...

Scripting: nothing to do here ...

Multilink: ... or here

Connecting and configuring programs

You should now be able to connect by double-clicking the new dial-up-networking entry. You may want to rename this. Also, you'll probably want to change configuration of browsers, mail programs, etc. to 'dial' without asking and not disconnect when idle. Relatively plain sailing if you've got this far! Now you're in a brave new world!

ADSL links

ADSLguide - news, ISP comparison, technical details, etc.

A Demon ADSL FAQ

DSLsource - sales of modems, filters, routers... also support

Solwise - sales of modems, filters, routers

This page updated 3 May 2002