Been working with computers in general for 13 years. Worked in computer
repair and for a cable ISP for several years each. Currently work with
satellite systems.
The 8 mbps limitation is the physical (as in: Not networking) limit of
actual bandwidth. Just like '128k dialup over 56k', it's marketing. You
compress the data and, duh, you reduce bandwidth consumption. But it's
still realistically limited at 8mbps, this is because RG59 has that physical
limit. Approximately 60% of all cable networks still use RG59. RG6 is
provided in many areas now, and is standard in satellite installations. It
maxes at a much higher 24 mbps. Finally is RG11, and not many cable
companies use it. It maxes well over 100mbps. Aside from on Hawaii, I am
not aware of any internet service that uses RG11, since it's costly and
usually unecessary. The vast majority use RG59, unless it's for a
business/commercial account.
As for which cable services I used: Comcast, Charter, Roadrunner
Worked for: Comcast
Currently using: Comcast (Commercial) [due to lack of DSL availability]
I've been with almost all the major providers of internet for every
technology, save fiber optic. Only ever been with BellSouth on that.
Bellsouth, Qwest, Charter, Comcast, Roadrunner, Earthlink, SBC, Starband,
and Brighthouse. I've been around.
Not a single one offers a residential package which exceeds 2mbps average.
You have to keep in mind the market speed is very much NOT what you get,
it's only the bandwidth >allocation<. It's the same as getting a 128k
connection on a 56k modem; You're still averaging 48k.
And btw, who the fuck do you have cable with!? 43 ms latency? That's worse
than most dialup i've had, christ! (BellSouth was only 20 ms on standard
56k)
Averages for dialup are 50-400, depending on how far the uplink is. Cable
averages 18-40. And DSL averages 10-80, depending on how far the uplink is.
Most cable companies don't have the newer DOCSYS specifications on their
modems. This includes Comcast as of right now [Beleive me, I recently had a
long fight with them over that and port blocking], or charter as of last
year [not sure about currently]
Also, it's false that different frequency doesn't affect
bandwidth/TV-Internet conflict. Both still send a physical signal across
it, and ALL cable companies use the tv-signal (usually 'Null' channels) to
piggyback the internet data. Not only is the pipeline and bandwidth shared,
but also the packets. Cable modems are extremely simple devices, all they
do is remove the TV/Audio portion of the signal and digitize or translate
the remaining signal. This is the source of most of the cable's latency.
As for fiber optic.... yes. A 1mbps up/down fractional T1 would cost me
$100/mo. And I gotta buy my own equipment. I basically said "Fuck you,
Qwest" and got Comcast commercial. 8down1up. It's okay. But they don't
offer higher upstream in the Denver area. Way to size to the population,
Comclash. No wonder Qwest has a HQ here. Not that their coverage is
sensible either. XD I'm caught between two really big, really retarded
giants.
For now, i'm okay (not satisfied) with Comcast's $79.95 package. I get 5
IPs (all they offer), 8/1 mbps, and a bunch of blocked FTP ports.
It's that or Qwest's "Fringe Coverage Package" of 256/128 kbps for
$29.99/mo, with awful latency (100+) and packet loss.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Parenteau" <kitfox_at_firstlight.net>
To: <SkunkworksAMA_at_yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [SkunkworksAMA] Interesting Phenomenon
> At 08:38 PM 12/8/2005, Axle Gear wrote:
>> >From my personal experience:
>>
>><Snip Dialup>
>>Cable pros: Fast, easy to set up and use.
>>Cable cons: Averages only 620 kbps on most services. Physical maximum
>>limit of 8 mbps. High latency. Insecure network (LAN-like). Bandwidth
>>reduced by every cable internet and television user that turns on in
>>network.
>
> How long has it been since you've had cable? Or what tiny cable service do
> you use?
>
> I've not seen less than 1.5 Mbps offered bandwidth on most services, I
> personally am getting 8Mbps myself. I have NO idea what you consider to be
> "High latency"... Normally "High Latency" is defined in latency times
> exceeding 300-500ms or worse. I would consider the 270ms of Dialup, or the
> frequent 600-900ms of satellite to be "High Latency" compared to the 43ms
> of cable modem as an example. And I'm not cure where the 8 Mbps maximum
> physical limit comes from if there are cable companies in the US
> successfully providing 10Mbps.
>
> Yes, it is semi-LAN-Like, however newer DOCSYS specifications set the
> modem
> up as a router/switch, specifically blocking traffic that is not either
> specifically targeting your system or broadcast.
>
> And yes, bandwidth is shared by other Cable Internet users, however it is
> not shared with cable TV users. The TV system uses different frequency
> channels than internet network systems.
>
> Also on the Pros: Network buildout is better in most areas, allowing more
> people to get higher speeds. Does not require filters to be added to your
> phone lines throughout the house.
>
> Also on the Cons: Unmodified Windows systems are limited to approximately
> 3-4Mbps per TCP connection on average, due to default RWIN settings, and
> there is no "easy" way to change these settings.
>
>><DSL Snipped>
>>
>><Satellite Snipped>
>>Fiber Optic pros: Extremely low latency. Extremely high bandwidth.
>>Stable, secure.
>>Fiber Optic cons: Extremely expensive. Extremely limited availability.
>
> Add to cons: Network disruptions due to problems with the "wiring" between
> you and the node will often take a week to repair. The term "Extremely"
> in
> the Cons is not strong enough to emphasize the extremity. I don't have
> exact numbers in availability, but it's... Tiny...
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Received on Sun Dec 11 2005 - 16:55:14 CST