The Little Garden - Modem Based Internet Service Frequently Asked Questions List Most recent update: February 7, 1994 ftp://tlg.org/tlg-modem.faq ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "The best way to get information on Usenet isn't to ask a question, but to post the wrong information." -- aahz@netcom.com Q0. "What's in this FAQ?" A: This document will explain how to decide whether to get modem-based Internet service from The Little Garden, and how to start the process if you decide to do it. If you are interested in high-speed service, using leased lines, and can spend at least $6000 immediately (which is what it costs), then see the high-speed FAQ named "tlg-highspeed.faq". If you are having a problem with your network connection, see the network problem solving FAQ "tlg-solving.faq". If this FAQ doesn't answer some question that you think it should, send mail to info@tlg.org with full details -- the entire question, the context, and a sample answer that you would find acceptable. Table of Contents Q1. "What is The Little Garden?" Q2. "What kind of modem based service does TLG provide?" Q3. "What does a modem based connection cost?" Q4. "What computer and software do I need on my end?" Q5. "What other equipment do I need?" Q6. "How do I sign up?" Q7. "How do I arrange phone lines for my TLG service?" Q8. "What happens if a member doesn't pay promptly?" Q9. "How do I reach The Little Garden?" Q10. "I live where you don't have service yet. What can I do?" Q11. "Who maintains this FAQ, anyway? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q1. "What is The Little Garden?" A: The Little Garden (TLG) provides Internet connectivity in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We have Points of Presence (POPs) in San Francisco, Mountain View and Palo Alto. We have affiliates in other regions providing similar service. The Little Garden runs like a buyers' club, and many members become involved in the operation of TLG, though this is not required. We are legally a branch of an Oregon for-profit company called RGnet Inc, but we feel more like a club than a company. Our prices are the cost of connectivity plus our overhead. In exchange for these low prices, we expect members to be technically self-sufficient. TLG provides high-quality, reliable basic IP connectivity via full-time SLIP or PPP. We also provide primary or secondary Domain Name Service (DNS) and in many cases, preassigned IP address space. We provide you with the help necessary to get online. We don't provide shell accounts, shared, part-time IP, etc. TLG places no restrictions on content or use of your connection. You may resell it, provide service to "back door" hosts, etc. You are required to comply with any AUPs (Acceptable Use Policies) of any networks you communicate with or through and any applicable laws. Compliance with these rules are the member's responsibility. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q2. "What kind of modem based service does TLG provide?" A: TLG offers full-time IP (Internet Protocol) connections using ordinary telephone lines and ordinary dialup-type modems. For a fixed monthly charge, you will be able to send and receive information in a fraction of a second with any other computer on the worldwide Internet -- or with multiple computers simultaneously. Your computer will be "on the Internet" and can provide a full range of services to other Internet users, if you like. We will dedicate a telephone line to your use, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This will be an ordinary "voice" telephone line in one of our POPs, attached to an ordinary modem, which is plugged into one of our IP "routers" and thus into the rest of the Internet. At your home or office, you will use another ordinary phone line for your connection. You will attach another modem to it, and plug the modem into your own computer. With the right software, your computer will be able to dial the modem as necessary to connect you to our telephone line. Once connected, your computer and our router will establish a SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) or PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) connection across the modems and phone lines. This will allow your computer (and the rest of the machines on your local area network, if you have one) to send and receive information with every other machine on the Internet. TLG can help you get this service set up and running, and can provide a backup site for your email and domain name information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3. "What does a modem based connection cost?" A: One-time installation fee (non-refundable) . . $250 Monthly charges for V.32bis modems . . . . . $70/mo Monthly charges for V.FAST modems . . . . . $130/mo Besides what you pay us for your "long-distance" Internet service, you will also pay somebody for other goods and services: Probable telco one-time installation fees, total . . $70 to $150 Probable monthly telco charges, total . . . . . . . . $21/mo Pair of V.32bis/V.42bis modems, retail . . . . . . . $400 You have to pay the one-time installation fee, and send us one of the modems, before TLG will initiate the connection. Members are invoiced for monthly connect fees three months at a time. Net 15 days, unless otherwise arranged. Initial billing starts with the first full week following the connection completion, or three weeks from start of the installation, whichever comes latest. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q4. "What computer and software do I need on my end?" A: You need a computer that is capable of running the Internet protocols (also known as TCP/IP). The machine that you plug your modem into must be one that we understand, or else you have to be pretty good at managing IP networking on it because we won't be able to help you. (You do *not* need a separate router; you can run SLIP/PPP directly into your personal computer or host computer.) We currently understand these machines and operating systems: PC clones: Free Unix clones -- 386BSD, NetBSD or FreeBSD. This is a preferred alternative. It comes with all the software that you need, and we know how to configure it for you. DOS: There are a number of choices. In the shareware realm there is Phil Karn's NOS (KA9Q) software or NCSA's Telnet package. Also commercial packages like FTP Software's PC/TCP. Commercial Unix'es (SVR4, UnixWare, SCO, etc): These often come WITHOUT the networking in the basic package, and it's usually priced for businesses. Check before you commit! XXX Free Unix clones -- Linux This works well. It probably XXX comes with all the software that you need. Contact YXXXXXmailinglist@tlg.org for further details. MS-Windows There is a shareware IP package called Trumpet Winsock. It seems to be pretty stable and it supports the developing Winsock "standard" interface for network applications like NCSA's Mosaic, WINQVT (Telenet), and a dozen or so more applications. Windows NT Supposedly supports TCP/IP, but we haven't ever worked with it yet. Macintosh MacOS Get "MacTCP" from Apple. They call it "TCP/IP Connection for Macintosh" and it's part number M8113Z/A. It costs about $70. You will want to use version 2.0.4 and above as the previous versions have major bugs. At this point MacTCP does not come with a SLIP or PPP driver. You will need to purchase one (VersaTerm) or there is a good Freeware PPP driver from Merit University. It is availible from merit.edu:/pub/ppp/mac. MacTCP will not forward packets from your modem to your Ethernet or LocalTalk network, so if you have multiple computers that you want to put on the Internet, you need to use a real IP implementation (See KA9Q, 386BSD, etc.). A/UX This should work straight out of the box. Contact hugh@toad.com for help, if needed. Sun Workstations SunOS 4.x A recommended configuration. Comes with TCP/IP, but needs a SLIP or PPP driver, which you can get from XXXXXX. Contact XXXXXXmailinglist@tlg.org for help, if needed. Solaris 2.x Includes both TCP/IP and a PPP driver. However, these machines are hard to configure and administer. Not recommended. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q5. "What other equipment do I need?" A: A pair of suitable modems, one for each end of the link between you and The Little Garden. You retain ownership of these. They should NOT be PEP modems. Plain old v.32bis/v.42bis modems are fine; as of Feb 94, under $200 each from Fry's Electronics. You need these to be *reliable* devices. US Robotics, ZyXEL, Hayes, etc are fine. Please avoid: older Supra, older Digicom, Zoom, and likely others. If you're not familiar with modems, ask us. Two phone lines; one at your site, and one at ours. See the "How do I arrange phone lines?" answer below for specifics. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q6. "How do I sign up?" A: First, let's make sure. You read all this about The Little Garden, found out what we do, and it's what you want. The price is right. You have the hardware and software necessary to maintain your end of the connection. You understand what your responsibilities are, and what TLG's are. You understand the payment schedule. FTP to tlg.org and get the file lowspeed-signup.form. Fill it out and email it to info@tlg.com. Or print it out and postal-mail it to us at our contact address below. * You fill out the form and send it to us. This provides you with some basic info (which POP you'll be connecting to, etc), and when you return it, tells us what we need to complete your order. * You start Pacific Bell installing both of your phone lines. * We invoice you for the install fee, payable immediately. * You deliver the install fee and one of your modems to us, including power supply and manual. * After our phone line is in, we wire it to our equipment room, and install the modem at the TLG POP. We will initialize the modem and test the installation. * At this point, you are responsible for making good your end of the link, and your host software. TLG people will gladly help out with all phases, though ultimately it's your responsibility. * You're up and running when we can repeatably pass IP packets between your system and our routers. You may not have yet completed higher-level services like: DNS, domain-name registration, external network publishing (NACRs and the like); all of your everyday services (Telnet, FTP, etc). It does include PING. AT THIS TIME, your billing for monthly TLG services will begin. TLG billing starts at the first of the month, and is payable upon receipt. Unless otherwise arranged, we bill you ahead for three months of service, except for high speed service, for which we bill monthly. If you want other arrangements, please let us know AHEAD OF TIME. Your first month is treated specially. First, the turn-on/billing date is moved forward to the nearest 1/4th month; ie. if you were connected on the 3rd of the month, we'd round that up to the 7th, and bill you for 3/4ths of a month. From them on, billing is done on the first of the month. * You get the higher level services running, as desired. We can help if you run into trouble. Please refer to the file 'how-to-SLIP' (applies to PPP too) on how to get the connection going, interfaces ifconfig'ed, and routing established. Please refer to file "how-to-DNS" on how to get your name service going, and register your domain with the NIC. Also, the book "DNS and Bind" from O'Reilly & Asso. (800-338-6887) can help you out. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q7. "How do I arrange phone lines for my TLG service?" A: Do *not* tell them it's for data. This isn't to trick PacBell; using phone lines for data is perfectly legitimate. It's because it confuses them. You were warned. Use residential lines if you can. You'll save a lot of money. If you cannot all is not lost. Keep in mind that *you* are responsible for maintaining your link; eg. *your* site dials the remote, TLG site. Even and especially if you get inadvertantly disconnected. The phone situation depends on which TLG POP (Point of Presence, also known as Physical Location) you connect to. This will depend on your own physical location and situation. Here are the details for our current POPs: 444 MARKET ST, SUITE 3075, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94111 This is a 40 story high-rise commercial site. This is a standard business location, so business phones are the baseline. You may be able to convince them that you are telecommuting, and since you are paying for the line, it should be residential service. When you have a line installed, please inform Pacific Bell of these things: * Please have the bill sent to my address * Tell them "I will do my own inside wiring" (in fact, TLG people will do it, but saying this avoids having to introduce complexities.) * No-one needs to be on-site to have the line installed; the person taking the order is filling out a form, and doesn't know that there's just a large, commercial telco closet that the installer has a key to, and just leaves the line ready for TLG to run upstairs. CYGNUS SUPPORT, 1937 LANDINGS DRIVE, MTN. VIEW CA 94043 This is a commercial site, of "campus" style buildings. This is a standard business location, so business phones are the baseline. You may be able to convince them that you are telecommuting, and since you are paying for the line, it should be residential service. When you have a line installed, please inform Pacific Bell of these things: When you have a line installed, please inform Pacific Bell of these things: * Please have the bill sent to my address * Tell them "I will do my own inside wiring" (in fact, TLG people will do it, but saying this avoids having to introduce complexities.) * No-one needs to be on-site to have the line installed; the person taking the order is filling out a form, and doesn't know that there's a telco closet that the installer has a key to, and just leaves the line ready for TLG into Cygnus. TOAD HALL, 210 CLAYTON St, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94117 This is a residential site, with an unusual phone line situation. You may install a standard, residential line there. We reserve this POP for sites that require "callback" arrangements. When you have a line installed, please inform Pacific Bell of the following: * Please have the bill sent to my address * Tell them "I will do my own inside wiring" (in fact, TLG people will do it, but saying this avoids having to introduce complexities.) * Installation does not require access to the building; the wiring terminations are on the side of the building. 814 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, PALO ALTO, CA 94301 This is a residential apartment complex, with rather ordinary phone line situation -- congested. You may install a standard, residential line there. We reserve this POP for sites that require "callback" arrangements, preferring the Cygnus Support location in Mtn. View. When you have a line installed, please inform Pacific Bell of the following: * Please have the bill sent to my address * Tell them "I will do my own inside wiring" (in fact, TLG people will do it, but saying this avoids having to introduce complexities.) * Installation does not require access to the building; the wiring terminations are on the side of the building. IF YOUR SITE'S MODEM LINE IS BILLED AS A BUSINESS CALL: Some members are in commercial locations, and residential service is not available. Since you will want to stay connected 24 hrs/day, and business calls are billed at $0.01/minute, your inexpensive network link will run you... $432/month. Not good. To avoid this, you may connect to one of the residential POPs, and use a modem capable of dial-back at the TLG end. And slightly more complex dialing scripts, available from TLG. You will still be responsible for initiating the connect; but instead of just dialing and staying connected, you'll use the modem-callback feature to have the remote (residential) site call your local (business) site back; each connection will therefore cost you the initial minute only, or $0.04. Since connections tend to stay up for weeks or months at a time, the cost is negligable. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q8. "What happens if a member doesn't pay promptly?" A: This is the Bad Stuff no one wants to think about, most of all TLG. We haven't had to do this yet, lucky us. We will gladly make specific arrangements IN ADVANCE that override these things, such as payment schedule changes, etc. INSTALL FEES ARE DUE IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF THE BILL -- we reserve the right to stall or stop installation if the install bill is not paid promptly. INSTALL FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE. Installation fees cover our labor and expenses, and the actual cost of providing your connection. WE WILL KEEP YOUR EQUIPMENT IN CASE OF NON-PAYMENT. SERVICE MAY BE CUT OFF after a bill becomes 30 days past due. It is the member's responsibility to keep track of this! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q9. "How do I reach The Little Garden?" The Little Garden PO Box 410923 San Francisco CA 94141-0923 +1 415 487 1902 email info@tlg.org gopher tlg.org WWW http://tlg.org/ ftp tlg.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q10. "I live where you don't have service yet. What can I do?" A: Try talking to one of our affiliated networks. We all work together to provide low-cost Internet service over a broader geographical range. If you don't live in any of these areas, then find a local low-cost provider, or consider starting your own! Santa Cruz -- Santa Cruz Community Internet (scruz-net) 903 Pacific Ave. #203-A Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (408) 457-5050 info@scruz.net Santa Cruz Community Internet serves the entirety of Santa Cruz County, CA. scruz-net offers the following TCP/IP services: o medium speed 56kb and 64kb o leased line and frame relay o ISDN and centrex IS service at 64kb or 128kb o 14.4kb leased line or 14.4kb centrex o 14.4kb dial-up SLIP and PPP scruz-net offers the following application services: o news and mail forwarding o DNS registration and nameservice o FTP archive and gopher server Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties -- North Bay Network 20 Minor Court San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 472-1600 Email: info@nbn.com Oregon, southern Washington state -- RAINet 9501 SW Westhaven Portland, OR 97225 (503) 297-8820 admin@rain.com RAINet offers the following TCP/IP services: o medium speed 56kb and 64kb o leased line and frame relay o 14.4kb leased line o 14.4kb dial-up SLIP and PPP RAINet offers the following application services: o news and mail forwarding o DNS registration and nameservice o UNIX shell accounts o POP mail accounts and POP serial dialup o dialup and PPP/SLIP gopher clients When you are in RAINet's geographic area (Oregon and Southern Washington), RAINet offers free access to customers of other RGnet consortium networks, e.g. The Little Garden. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q11. "Who maintains this FAQ, anyway? A: To get the latest version, ftp to tlg.org and get the file /pub/tlg-modem.faq. Or use WWW with URL http://tlg.org/tlg-modem.faq. Send corrections and questions to admin@tlg.org.