Can I ask a question about DSL internet here?

[Groomerdriver]

If not...please delete and I apologize.  This forum has been great to me when I have a question and I don't know where else to turn.......

My question is:  when my DSL ISP "provisions" me for 1.5MB service, what are they "provisioning?"  Is it something in the DSL line (equipment etc) or my modem or ??

Very long story about Centurylink (not a happy story either!) who is my ONLY choice for internet access where we now live.

As always, thank you for any answers everybody can provide!

[Pondus]

when my DSL ISP "provisions" me for 1.5MB service,

It is the download speed on the line you pay for

http://www.centurylink.com/Pages/Personal/Internet/index.html

[Groomerdriver]

when my DSL ISP "provisions" me for 1.5MB service,

It is the download speed on the line you pay for

http://www.centurylink.com/Pages/Personal/Internet/index.html

Yes I know this.  But HOW is the line speed filtered to the speed u pay for?  C'Link originally said that 10MB was available where we moved to....oooppppssss...sorry GD...1.5MB is all you can get....sorry!

[Pondus]

But HOW is the line speed filtered to the speed u pay for? 

How they do that......have no idea.. 

Maybe somone else...

[Chris Thomas]

Most of the cable modems when it boots up it will search for an "Image file" where in all configuration like your upload speed limit and download speed limit is defined. This "Image file" is stored in ISP`s TFTP server.

So, the ISP's use this image file to set your speed limits.

[PTRPRO]

It's as Chris says, and of course, that's your max. Weather and other "outside forces" affect DSL. Use a third party meter to determine upload and download speeds. The ISP's is optimistic.

[MikeBCda]

I don't really pay much attention to actual connection speed (I forget what mine's supposed to be per the ISP), about the only time I really look at it is the data-transfer rate when downloading large files.

Assuming the origin server is good and not too busy, I can usually count on 25-30 KB/sec per connection ... with FreeDownloadManager, something big enough to use 10 "sections" typically comes in within the 275-325 KB/sec range, call it 15-20 MB/min.