Jim Plumb

Before I called Verizon tech support I checked around to see if there were any tweaks to help my connection get up to speed. I found on dslreports.com some settings for the 15/2 fios package. You need to get a free tool from Cablenut.com in order to apply the tweak settings to your windows registry. I applied the tweak and my speeds are much better. See below for the new speed test. Hooey! that’s fast.

Next on the agenda is connecting the comcast and fios networks with a dual wan router!

Installation of Verizon FIOS went pretty much without a hitch as most of the infrastructure had already been set up. Today (Friday), the guy ran a line from the Optical Network Terminal, otherwise know as an ONT box, which is outside, to my network area inside the house and plugged it into a D-Link DI-604 4-port broadband router.

He connected his laptop and got things configured and did a speed test at infospeed.verizon.net. He got around 10mbs once and other times got around 6 mbs. The line is rated at 15 mbps upload and 2 mbps download. He called his supervisor about the speed but the guy was in a meeting or something. The tech said this was his first 15 mb install so didn’t have anything to compare it to. I’ve done a few tests myself since then and haven’t been able to get above 7 mbps.

The picture above is a speed test with the best speed. I would think I should be able to get at least 12 from the verizon server. In any case I’ll have to call them tomorrow and see what they can do about the speed. If they can’t increase it, I’ll downgrade my service to the 5 mbps level.

Just started reading a book I originally heard about while listening to NPR a few months ago. The book is Downtown: My Manhattan by Peter Hamill. Pete’s a lifelong New Yorker, having been raised in Brooklyn and has a long career in the NY newspaper bidness. So far it’s a blend of his history in NYC as well as NYC’s history, especially “downtown” NY, which for Pete, runs from the Battery up to an area between Times Square and Central Park. Interesting so far. Will report when done.

A Verizon installation guy came yesterday to install the basic infrastructure of the FIOS system. Here are the details.

He ran a fiber optic cable from the telephone pole to my house. The cable has “Corning Optic” printed on it. It goes to the box pictured above. He says that by the Fall, we should have video access (cable tv) as well. Hope the prices are better than what I’m paying Comcast: their prices seem to go up a couple of times a year and who needs that!

In the garage, he installed the power supply and a battery backup. It looks like the clients are responsible for powering the fiber. Full installation will be complete tomorrow. Can’t wait to see the download speeds.

I’d read a bit about Verizon FIOS a couple of months ago and tried to sign up for it, but it wasn’t available in my town, although my town (Hopkinton) was one of those listed in Massachusetts to get it. A Verizon rep told me they’d send out a mailing when it was ready.

I received a Western Union Mailgram yesterday, informing me that Verizon FIOS is available in my town! I signed up for installation today and should be getting it next Friday, April 15.

They offer three levels of service: 5 mbps/2 mbps dl/ul for $34.95 per month, 15 mbps/2mbps for $49.95/month and 30 mbps/5mbps for 179.95/month. Along with that you get free install, a 4 port router, MSN with 9 email accounts. I signed up for the 15 mb range and will be using it in my home office. I’ve been leaching off my home service, which is comcast. This is residential service, therefore uses dynamic IP. Once Business FIOS comes out, I’ll probably upgrade to that as you get 5 static IP addresses included and I want to setup a web server in my office.

I’m still reading this River Horse book. It’s gotten a lot more interesting since he and his fellow companions are now traveling up the Missouri River during the spring. The lower Missouri is at flood stage and they go through several tight situations. As they go further upstream, the water is more controlled now because of a series of dams. Not the same as Lewis & Clark found it, to whom the author frequently compares his trip. Speaking of Lewis & Clark, a great book to read is Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. Ambrose is a terrific history writer.