verizon dsl activation and linksys routers (was email from DSLR user robertb)

[Richard Heurtley <http://www.heurtley.com/~richard>]

I don't know much about wireless. All the LinkSys boxes I've installed
have been BEFSR11's or BEFSR41's. Verizon doesn't support DSL routers
and they require you to install all their crappy software (WinPoet and
their customized browser) and then run it in order to "activate" and get
an account name and password. Sometimes I've been able to call Verizon
customer service and get an account name and password without having to
install their software. They don't like to do it but will sometimes if
you say you're having problems with the installation.

Once you have your account name and password all you have to do is enter
it into the router configuration screen, specify PPPoE, autoconnect, and
keepalive and you're ready to go. The earlier LinkSys DSL routers I've
installed were flaky until I updated their firmware. Lately they've been
very stable and reliable out of the box.

If I have to install Verizon's software I always take care to to remove
it afterwards. It's large. obtrusive, and buggy and I distrust
customized browsers anyway. I've rumors that sometimes they're modified
to send additional information for the benefit of the ISP.

Richard Heurtley (vermonter on DSLreports)
http://www.heurtley.com/~richard

http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert wrote:
> 
> (Since you wanted your email address private, a registered user chose to message you via DSLreports.com
> Your email address is not revealed to the sender of this message.
> You can reply to this email to answer them if you wish.)
> 
> You said:
> 
>  > I've configured a lot of LinkSys cable/DSL routers for
>  > Verizon DSL. It's really easy with a fresh-out-of-the-box unit if you use the default 192.168.1.1 address for the router.
> 
> Does this include activation?  I haven't received my kit yet, but they seem to imply that I need to install some software on my Windows 98 machine so I can enter the "activation code".  This machine is wireless and going through the Linksys WAP.  Will this work?
> 
> Thanks.