Slashdot Mirror
SBC/Yahoo DSL, Hubs, and Mac OS X?
John wishes to get to the core of this issue: "I recently had to move to SBC/Yahoo DSL due to the demise of DirecTV internet. This provider uses PPoE and dictates that users access the service through EnterNet Classic. The only configuration they support is a direct ethernet connection between the DSL modem and the Mac's built-in ethernet port. In order to access files on other home computers (not sharing Internet access however) and a printer, I would need to connect an ethernet hub between the modem and the Mac. Yet SBC does not support this configuration, which I believe wold be a very common setup. Does anyone know if there is a way to set up this layout and successfully connect via PPoE?"
I'm not sure what the big deal here is. I've set this up before (yes, using Yahoo/SBC and a Mac). The way I did it was using a Linksys access point (which supports PPPoE).
such as the 827 support PPPoE.
If you have an off-the-shelf router box doing the PPPoE (e.g., something from MacSense or Netgear), then the computers you have attached to it are irrelevant.
If you reply, do so only to what I explicitly wrote. If I didn't write it, don't assume or infer it.
Get a D-Link or Linksys home NAT firewall unit, download current firmware, and follow the manual's instructions to get this to work.
7 November 2006: The day Americans realized corruption and incompetence weren't addressing 11 September 2001
I've got a similar setup (SBC DSL, bot the Yahoo version). No problems for me getting things set up on OS X without EnterNet; I even got official instructions from SBC on setting it up. (They were SBC Ameritech here at the time, so the rules may have changed).
Currently I have the DSL modem hooked up to my AirPort base station, and then have my B/W G3 hooked up to that and also use the connection for my TiBook. You need to have Connect Using PPPoE checked in the Network preference pane, and use the appropriate settings (you can probably guess them using the EnterNet setup instructions). Then use Apple's Internet Connect app to make the connection.
like the other comment (and others soon to follow) says, just pick up a $100 ethernet router from Netgear, Linksys, Belkin, Apple Airport, whoever.. make sure you get one that supports PPPoE, which most do now. The router will then handle all the PPPoE ugliness, and you can have your machines all using DHCP to just get their info from the router. You can also set up static IP's on your local network (everything on your side of the router) but that gets complicated and is probably unneccessary for basic-level use.
I can only assume you're having problems with this configuration, but you didn't say what sort of problems.
Why not get a second ethernet card, from a company such as Asante, or even a Realtek compatible card and share your connection over the second card (via Internet Sharing in System Preferences for Mac OS X 10.2).
This way you won't have to move any wires around when you call techsupport;)
The only problem with this is since they don't support other computers that are not directly connected to the modem, they aren't going to start supporting those machines just because you now have one connected properly. Plus you have to have your machine on all the time in order for the others to get access.
The best answer is to get a Linksys BEFSR41 for under $50, set it up to connect via PPPoe and just do what you want to anyway...at least you'll have some support from Linksys;D
--"It's Bradford Company, slash your last name, dot your first name"
This is easy to setup. Most people would connect the DSL modem to a router or NAT device, and then connect the router to their hub, so everyone on the network can share the connection. The router runs its own PPPoE software which connects through the modem to Yahoo, and then it automatically provides local IP addresses via DHCP to computers on your home network. This is what I do in my house, and it works great (with SBC/Yahoo DSL). SBC may not provide technical support for this, but at least they officially allow it, unlike Earthlink. Your case is unusual, in that you don't want to use a router and don't want to share the connection with other computers. However, it should be easy to setup. Just plug the DSL modem into your hub (The one wrinkle is that you'll probably have to use an ethernet crossover cable between the modem and hub, because the modem expects to be connected directly to a computer instead of a hub). Then plug your computer into the hub. As far as your computer and the PPPoE software are concerned, your computer will look like it is connected directly to the modem, and everything will work fine (i.e., the hub is transparent to your computer). Also, you can use any PPPoE software you want. I would highly recommend using Mac OS X's built in PPPoE settings instead of EnterNet Classic, whatever that is. Good luck! P.S. I can't remember for sure what kind of cable the modem comes with. But the rule to follow is that you should use the opposite type of cable to connect the modem to a hub as you would use to connect the modem directly to a computer. So if the modem comes with a crossove cable, use a straight ethernet cable to connect it to the hub. If it comes with a straight cable (which I think is the case), then you'll need to use a crossover cable to connect the modem to the hub.
Any D-Link or Linksys router will support PPPoE and get you online just fine.
From their Enternet bias, it's safe to assume that they support OS 9 only as well, as there's not (and there's no need for) Enternet under OS X -- which has built-in PPPoE drivers. This is a good thing. Enternet is one of the crashiest hackjobs that I've every installed back with Bellsouth DSL until I got my router functioning.
If they try to do something idiotic like locking the device to a particular MAC address, I know for certain that the $35 D-Link DI-604 does MAC address spoofing on the Internet side as well.
I also am forced to use SBC CrapperNet (please, Speakeasy, please), and have a simple Linksys home router sitting between my box and the modem.
The trick is to use the direct connection for your initial signup (this sets the PPPoE username/password on their end), then drop the router in place and tell it about the PPPoE settings. I don't believe I had to do the MAC cloning bit.
Then throw out the CrapperNet stuff and simply point your computer to the router, just like a standard net connection.
You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem. (Edwards' Law)
you're a mac user so you're used to paying more. get an apple airport. it does PPPoE and NAT.
or save money for an uglier box from netgear, linksys, dlink, speedstream (efficient networks), hawking, etc.
Spend the $65 a month that the 5 static IP service costs. It's a good deal compared with other static IP options. No PPOE stuff to worry about, plus you can run your own servers.
If tits were wings it'd be flying around.
(Sorry for the double-posting. This one is slightly better.)
Most people would connect the DSL modem to a router or NAT device, and then connect the router to their hub, so everyone on the network can share the connection. The router runs its own PPPoE software which connects through the modem to Yahoo, and then it automatically provides local IP addresses via DHCP to computers on your home network. This is what I do in my house, and it works great (with SBC/Yahoo DSL). SBC may not provide technical support for this, but at least they officially allow it, unlike Earthlink.
Your case is unusual, in that you don't want to use a router and don't want to share the connection with other computers. However, it should be easy to setup. Just plug the DSL modem into your hub (The one wrinkle is that you'll probably have to use an ethernet crossover cable between the modem and hub, because the modem expects to be connected directly to a computer instead of a hub). Then plug your computer into the hub. As far as your computer and the PPPoE software are concerned, your computer will look like it is connected directly to the modem, and everything will work fine (i.e., the hub is transparent to your computer). Also, you can use any PPPoE software you want. I would highly recommend using Mac OS X's built in PPPoE settings instead of EnterNet Classic, whatever that is.
Good luck!
P.S. I can't remember for sure what kind of cable the modem comes with. But the rule to follow is that you should use the opposite type of cable to connect the modem to a hub as you would use to connect the modem directly to a computer. So if the modem comes with a crossove cable, use a straight ethernet cable to connect it to the hub. If it comes with a straight cable (which I think is the case), then you'll need to use a crossover cable to connect the modem to the hub.
People here are saying that you could get a normal SOHO router and get that set up (which will work). The other option, for less money, would be to pick up an ethernet card (assuming you have a PCI Mac with a free slot).
Run the cable modem into one ethernet port (on-board, for example) and run out to the hub off the other ethernet port. Using Internet Sharing, you can even allow the other computers on the network to use the cable modem as their Internet access (and set up the Mac to act as a firewall).
Total cost will be about $20 for the card, as opposed to about $80 for the router.
Either one will work.
- (c) 2018 Hank Zimmerman
While I was at my father's place this summer I just used the PPPoE built into 10 and it worked fine. have you tried that? Then multi home the nic and put a cheap hub between tehm .. do you get more traffic this way? sure but since 10 base is way higher than your dsl connection who cares.
Bad Panda! No Bamboo for you! In matters of importance ACs will not be responded to. Want to say something critical,OK
This is so simple, I'm wondering if I'm misunderstanding you. At home I use an SBC supplied DSL modem connected to the same hub as all my other network equipment. I've connected to the modem with both a OS X desktop and with an airport through PPPoE - through the hub - on different occations and nat'd the connection back through the same ethernet connection to my other devices via the hub.
They just won't give you any tech support to figure it out. You won't need support though.... set up is a breeze.
I have the same configuration. If you get a hub you will be able to either use the internet or share files by switching your "location" ( PPOE and Appletalk aren't compatible). If you get a router you can share files and use the internet at the same time. If you want a configuration they'll support you're gonna have to add an extra ethernet card.
HS
Celebrate the finer things in life
This also means that all these "get a router that uses PPPoE comments" are also "unsupported." Get your connection set up with just the Mac (in case you need to call tech support) and then get the router or hub involved. If you have problems on your home network and hooking up the Mac to the modem works, they won't support it. Follow these steps and all of us who work tech support will thank you.
Sidebar: so obviously the Mac/EnterNet combination works, even though SBC doesn't "support" Macs. What that comes down to is they don't want the expense of hiring extra support people with Mac expertise. If you can get by with informal support from the Mac community, that's not a big deal. I found more than enough info online. Which says a lot, since I never work with Macs and am pretty ignorant of their basics.
I guess I've already answered your question, but I have to finish the story. We bought a Linksys Cable/DSL router with built-in PPoE, DHCP, and a password protected web server for administration. Just like SBC, LinkSys does not support Macs. I thought I could make it work without any handholding. In the end I was right, but a bit of pain and frustration intervened.
I wasted a lot of time trying to understand why the router shut down whenever connected to its web server. (One misleading theory was that there was some kind of security issue between the Sun Java running on the router and the Microsoft Java running on the Mac. Unfortunately I didn't have the disk space to install Mozilla.) After several hours of this, it finally dawned on me that the router was broken. Back to the store for a replacement, and things went smoothly after that.
Plugging in most of the machines (the PC and the OS 9 Macs) was pretty simple. Just needed a basic knowledge of DHCP as implemented on those platforms.
Plugging in the OS X machine was unreal! The system detected the DHCP server and configured itself without being told to. Instantly online.
I think there's an important implication here: don't bother with EnterNet. Get a router, even if you don't plan to share the connection. They're worth their cost just for the software that's built into them. And despite the "no Mac support" attitude of the manufacturers, they do play well with Macs. Just be sure to buy one from a physical store, in case it turns out to be DOA.
He says he doesn't need to share internet, just files. Stick in a $20 hub and he's done.
So we've wasted oh, about 50 manhours on a trivial question that should have *never* been posted to slashdot. Really, this is almost too stupid for usenet, let alone slashdot.
"Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...
I just signed up for SBC Yahoo DSL also. I have a hub of sorts between my iMac and the DSL Modem because I use Airport. None of my computers are directly connected to the modem itself. Whether or not that configuration is "supported" seems irrelevant because it all works just like it is supposed to.
The strange thing is that I was having problems with packet loss on my base station (a ping would return every other packet, at best) and I decided to try another DSL modem I had kept from my last DSL provider (I don't remember what kind it is). As soon as I swapped out the modem SBC gave me for the other DSL modem, the signal worked perfectly and I haven't had problems with it since. Odd.
Ignore the online SBC instructions; I don't think they've been upgraded for MacOS X yet. When I got my SBC DSL service last year, I simply called up their tech support number and told them I was using MacOS X. They fed me the various DNS addresses and other stuff, and I was running with PPPoE inside of ten minutes.
And get rid of that Enternet crap, it be nasty.
--R.J.
Electric-Escape.net
SBC wants you to pay them more for a shared 'family' service. In fact many ISPs have agreements specifying you may connect only one computer. Screw them! Linksys hubs (probably ~$50) (1) know about PPoE and (2) do network address translation so you can have 100 computers attached and yet it looks like one computer to SBC.
Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
Does anyone know if there is a way to set up this layout and successfully connect via PPoE? Sorry, I don't know.
I have SBC/Yahoo DSL, and they've been supporting Mac OS X's built-in PPPoE software for about a year now. As soon as they posted instructions online, I kissed EnterNet goodbye, and never looked back.
All you have to do is go into System Preferences, click on Network, make sure Built-In Ethernet is selected, then click on the PPPoE tab. Check the box next to "Connect using PPPoE", enter your user name and password in the appropriate boxes, and hit Apply Now. I also do a few extras - I check the remember password box, I check "Show PPPoE status in menu bar", so that it's really easy to connect, and I don't have to use the Internet Connect app, and I click on PPPoE Options and make sure that "Send PPP echo packets" is the only box that's checked. It's essential to the connection that that box is checked, but the other options are yours to play with.
What I did to set up file, printer, and connection saring was install a $29 Allied Telesyn 10/100 NIC in a PCI slot in my tower, and just plugged that into a spare Cisco hub I have. AirPort is also perfectly acceptable as an option.
Karma: Ran over your dogma.
All the documentation & communication I received from SBC about my DSL service clearly stated that "we have reports of users who have successfully configured Mac OS X to connect to SBCGlobal DSL, but this is not a supported configuration."
That's not an exact quote, but it's very close. It made me laugh. Year 2001, meet SBCGlobal. SBCGlobal, meet the Year 2001.
Come play at the only online poker room with a Mac-native client
No matter what your provider says, I did exactly this last summer. I've seen a few posts about buying a separate router, which is of course a "cleaner" solution, but not necessary.
Using a standard ethernet switch, PPPoE works fine between a DSL modem and a mac running OSX. Then you can (not recommended, but it works) share the connection on the same ethernet network. Just connect the other machines to the switch. Using PPPoE adds a new network interface to the computer and does not occupy the standard ethernet interface. Just make sure the routing table is OK (using netstat -rn)
Mac OSX has everything built-in for this kind of operations (check Sharing and Network in System Preferences)
Since a hub is a simple level2 repeater (send everything everywhere), I beleive there is NO way of telling whether a packet has passed a hub or not. So your provider's claim has no grounds.
And no, this question never should have been asked on Slashdot.
Here it's the same company, with 2 macs and a D-Link 704P router/10-100 switch. It handles PPPoE, is out of the box mac friendly, and will also handle things like no-ip.com or dyndns.org for you. Does connect on demand. Note that OS X can natively handle PPPoE(just pick that tab in the network settings for the Ethernet interface.). The router(704P) is ~$60, except [a couple months ago] at microcenter, where they were $20 after rebate, which has yet to come through.
My brother-in-law has SBC DSL through Nevada Bell and I helped him set it up with a Linsys router. He now has two (one Wi-Fi) and seldom does he have problems. All the system wants is a PPPoE compatible system and off you go.
This is also a great way to share your DSL with the rest of your internal network.
Another option (but not really cheaper) is to insert an ethernet card into a PCI slot and log on using one ethernet port and the other for your internal network. Why spend the money on this option, when you can share your connection and get a hardware firewall with the router?
Hey-
Just helped a school with the pppoe SBC problem. They had no budget, and a linux box was not practical.
The D-Link router/hub with pppoe, connection sharing, and a print server, and it was on clearance at fry's for $29.95!
My Girlfriend Signed Up for the DSL service and asked me to install it on her windows machine. So, I popped the disk in and started - it got as far as the minimum requirements then decided that a 233MHz processor was too slow to appreciate broadband connections and refused to go any further.
I just installed the Efficinet networks DSL client, then logged in to the account creation address (which wasn't detailed in the PC info - only the Mac users needed to know this). Created an account and bang... there I was with DSL and none of the baggage the Yahoo attaches.
Once this is stable I'll just use my nice SMC NAT box and let it handle the connection (we're moving in together RSN).
It's free, small and works great in all versions of Windows. Don't bother with that EnterNet crap. Of course you won't need it, but others might.
I have SBC Yahoo DSL. I can connect fine with the built-in PPPoE support in Mac OS X. My real network setup is a Linksys router w/ built-in wireless hub. The router maintains a full-time PPPoE connection, and all of the computers on the LAN can access each other and the internet no problem.
In fact, the initial registration is all web based, and I didn't even make it through the yahoo portion of the registration b/c the pages wouldn't load in Camino or Safari. Once you finish the SBC part to get your PPPoE username and password, you should be able to connect and get online alright.
dan
i actually hear "it might work, but don't come crying to us for help.. your on own"
bob
usb network adapter; 35 dollars. :)
4 port group ware hub; 35 dollars.
not knowing how to use google; well, you know.
The / in
this is really sad. I think the question is just a troll..
g or ies.asp?categoryId=catMRG&refDomain=www05
https://www.sbcdslstore.com/Catalog/productcate
this is the page where SBC *sells* a networking kit.
As others have mentioned, they may not *support* other routers, but they don't forbid you to use your own.
Hmmm, this is a real cutting edge thorny issue. I can see as much from whence it came ( for the uninformed its the "connecting-it-all-how-YOU-want-it-connected dept.) Well for profound questions and issues such as these you should realize that slashdot is hardly a reputable enough source. Might I [url="www.apple.com/support"]suggest[/url] that you [url="www.macfixit.com/"]look[/url] elsewhere first next time? I mean Apple is trying to buy Universal, stay in business until next week, and release what looks to be a killer new OS in a few months, and _this_ is news?
I just picked up a Linksys router for $50 for someone I consult with, and it dials PPPoE (it's not PPoE) automaticly and allows the MAC address to be changed...this might be what you want...
Orange
First, if memory serves, the SBC software is OS9 only. I would not try to configure the OSX PPOE services, as the SBC tech support is horrible, and if you try to do the OSX thing, they are unlikely to be able to help. If you want to try to use the OSX setup instead of the router, feel free to try.
Second, you will need a PPOE capable router/firewall with a configurable MAC. The linksys is a good unit. There are others.
So, go ahead and boot into OS9. Go into configuration manager and create a set/configuration to hold the SBC setup. This will allow to quickly switch to the SBC setup later on for troubleshooting, but will also save you current configuration, if any.
Now start the installation. At some point, you will have to call tech support. Do not mention that you are doing anything different. Just follow their lead and do as they say. Some of it is silly, but they will get you up and running. Note all setting such as email, password, etc. You will need them later.
After you are up and running, disconnect the cable between the modem and computer from the modem and plug it into the router. Reboot the computer into OSX. Go into System preferences, click on network (be sure to choose the proper network interface in the drop down menu), then TCP/IP. Choose Using DHCP from the drop down menu, click apply now, and close.
Load a web browser on the computer and connect to the router. If it is a linksys, the address should be 192.168.1.1. All further instructions assume a Linksys. This will bring up the configuration menu. On the setup page type in your full SBC email address, the domain is probably sbcglobal.net, the username(full email again) and your password. Select PPOE from the drop down menu, and select either 'connect on demand' or 'keep alive'. The former might attract less attention. Click apply.
Go to the status page and type in a password for the router. This should be a strong password. Click apply.
Go to the DHCP tab, turn on the server, and click apply. Open the DHCP client table and note the MAC for your machine.
Now click the advance menu, and then the Mac Addr. clone tab. Type the Mac Address into the fields and click apply,
Plug a cable from the WAN connector on the router to the modem. At this point you should be good to go. The router will automatically connect to they network when needed. If it doesn't, first check all the lights on the router and modem. The modem will light if it senses a good network, the router will light if it senses the modem and computer(s). Next go to the configuration page and look at the status tab. This will tell you if the router is connected, and allow you to connect manually if there is a problem. If the direct connection is good, and you type in all the user and password information correctly, it should work like a charm.
This is, of course, in no way a reccomendation. It is just one of the many possible ways that one could connect an OSX machine to the SBC network.
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
Buy a linksys router, they have pppoe built in, end of story.
Use a normal everyday linksys hub, just plug your DSL modem into the uplink port (in my case at least, plugging it into a nomal port didn't work.) and use the software from your computer.
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/5764 You can also get quick help with SBC DSL by IMing a tech directly through DSLreports.com! What great support!
I've been using the PPoE built-in to my NetGear firewall/router/switch on my SBC DSL line for years with no trouble. I have no Enternet software on my PC. I removed the software after I signed up, but as per above, you don't have to install it all.
Ever dream you could fly? Get up from the Flight Sim. I Fly
No. I have installed many broadband connections from vendors in the USA and Canada. Not once have I needed an ethernet cross-over cable when connecting a Cable/DSL modem to either a computer system or a switch/hub. Don't raise a technical issue you can't back up with just a little experience. And you can quote me on that.
You know, questions like this are illustrative of why M$ users think that Mac users a dullards.
Been using SBC since they were Pacbell DSL in 99. Ive had a router on my connection since day 1 sharing it throughout the house. Never had a single problem with it. Originally had a Linksys 4 Port, then a Netgear, now using a Netgear 4 port wireless router. Most of my machines are Macs, and even after the update to SBCYahoo, still no problems whatsoever.. Although I do note that email and ftp access goes a hell of alot slower on a Mac then it does on a PC. At least for me anyways..
Seriously, if they can't give you a technically correct answer, do you really need them?
I, too, was using DirecTVDSL (who bought Telocity who bought....) and when I found out SBC/Yahoo bought out DirecTVDSL I immediately searched for a better provider.
Am quite happy now, no technical woes. The only interractions I've had with customer service have been superb.
BTW, my boss switched to SBC and was getting double-billed for lousy service (dropped him periodically). I'm not saying you'll get double-billed but I am suggesting you check you statements very carefully.
Why do I never get a fortune in my fortune cookies?
Connect the DSL modem to the Linksys, which is able to do PPPoE. Then you can network your other machines since the Linksys is also a 100MB ethernet switch.
Pedro
----
The Insomniac Coder
I have the same setup, SBC + Hub and the only solution that let me share files and stay on the internet was to use the PCI ethernet card that they sent me in addition to my internal port and create a software router. Hey, it works.
But I still forego the ability to share files for SBC's (in my opinion) great setup that lets as many people get unique IPs on one account. That way I can share files via TCP/IP and get to keep my webserver running on its own IP.
To answer the question directly...You need to connect your Mac to the hub/switch using a crossover cable and the DSL modem to the hub/switch using the cable that was provided with it.
If you happen to be running a mac only network, maybe you could download the IP over Firewire thing apple put out a while back. It seems pretty fast, and has been stable for me. You could try linking the printer into one of the computers and using printer sharing for the other ones if the printer works like that.
:-P
If not, just buy another NIC
I don't know why so many people are having trouble with this setup; I've had SBC/Ameritech DSL for a year and a half now, and it's a straight PPPoE configuration under OS X. I'm using it right now as I type this.
Enternet was simply the PPPoE client that SBC bundled with their service for OS 9. You could've used any PPPoE client you wanted, but you would've had to pay for it yourself.
Given everything, you should be able to use any PPPoE-compliant router (including the Airport Base Station) to do what you want. When SBC says they won't "support" it, that simply means they don't have any certified Mac techs to help you. PPPoE is still PPPoE.
I user MacOS X and when I moved to the SBC Yahoo DSL service and did not like having the Enternet software on my Windows 2000 PC to keep the DSL circuit alive. I have a private network and for a long time on the previous DSL service I simply used some Netgear hardware to support a private network. But I had to do a couple of things to make it work.
First, I went through the bubblegum looking installer that Yahoo sends to all users. That seems to do some additonal authorization changes that allow the DSL circuit to allow normal PPPoE connectivity. Then I uninstall the Enternet software, configure my Netgear box to connect using the same username and password and it works. Then I can connect all of my network computers through my Netgear hardware which happens to have a NAT router. One of the biggest reasons for doing this is that my Win2k box reboots and I do not want to disrupt the internet connection. I also have a wireless base station that I use to connect my iBook from my living room where I am now writing this message.
I wish SBC Yahoo did not require all of these silly steps. Perhaps with some feedback from their users they will change their ways.
Brennan Stehling - http://brennan.offwhite.net/blog/
I've been using SBC DSL for over 3 years with very few problems. The PPPoE is a pain, but I've never used that EnterNet junk.
There are dozens of routers that are capable of doing the PPPoE and you get the added benefits of a NATed firewall. I bought the MacSence XRouter when I got the DSL service in April of 2000. It stays on 24x7 on a UPS and it never goes down. Great little router.
I've worked with Asante and NetGear routers as well. I think the NetGear one is currently the best value. It's got lots of features and works very well.
I've installed two Asante routers. They occasionally crash. The reason they were purchased is they can act as a print-server and they support dialup modems as well as broad-band connections.
SBC also offers a "Home Networking" package which includes a router and support for it. I personally don't think it's worth the extra money but you should be aware that if you use your own router, they won't support you beyond the DSL modem (your on your own). I actually think this is a fair policy, seeing that there are so many routers out there. If you call for support though, don't mention that you are using a router right off the bat.
If you are using Mac OS X, PPPoE support is built in. You don't even have to use a router. In fact, I think SBC instructs you to use the built in PPPoE support.
The "Mac Way" is to plug the DSL modem into you Mac (like SBC requires) and then load-up IPNet from Sustainable SoftWorks to "route" to the rest of your net.
The other way is to get a dedicated little blue box from Belkin or Linksys at Walmart, but are you really willing to surrender all of your home network's security to a little blue box from Walmart? Don't be a lemming...
Buy any common broadband router. All the newer ones support PPoE
2) Call them up and ask for static IPs. Static IPs on SBC DSL are done using Bridged Ethernet, not PPPoE. Then you just get a hub and manually configure the computer for the fixed IP. In your block of eight IPs, IP+1 through IP+5 are for your computers, IP+6 is your gateway, and IP+0 and IP+7 are unusable because of the way TCP/IP works.
Note that SBC does not support DHCP with either method; you have to configure the PPPoE or fixed IP addresses manually. If you use internet sharing (like to an AirPort card), the shared interface will support DHCP.
--
"Open source is good." - Steve Jobs
"Open source is evil." - Microsoft