Bridge questions

[surfergeek411]

This may be in the wrong arena, but, I do have a Bullet M2HP, if that helps me qualify.lol
I've been running my very small free local Wifi with zero problems so far.

The AP is the Bullet wired to Dlink router port.
Router is connected to *&^ing AT@T DSL modem. I have simple 3 meg service with DHCP IP's.

I attempted to set the modem in "Bridge" mode.
Not to get sidetracked but to get my vent on towards *&^ing AT&T I have to tell the rest of the story. Coincidentally at that moment our DSL was disconnected for other reasons. The Business owner who purchased the service, wanted his original phone # back. In order to get the ph # reinstated or captured, (# he had with previous provider), AT&T said they would need to disconnect the DSL for @ 5 days.

So they did just that. Shut my Wifi down on the busiest day of the year for myself and the local business. The town was having a huge festival, AT my WiFi location. Music, Food, Party,etc... I would have had WiFi exposure to @ 1-2000 people in one day.
AT&T had told business owner the service was not going to be shutdown untill OCT 14th.
So, ofcourse all day on the phone to no Avail.

It was my mistake using them to begin with. One get's what one pays for.
If anyone has any connect's or suggestions of whom to write to other than the usual, I'd appreciate.
Sorry about the rant but I just couldn't stop. That really, really hurt.

So back to the question. As I was attempting to put the modem in Bridge mode, I got online with their tech, I believe he was not the outsource type (the ones where you can almost smell the curry). He stated it's not reccommended to put modem in bridge mode as that creates unstable connection. Which I guess makes sense with a non static IP? I want to try bridge mode to eliminate that extra NAT.

Can't I bridge it and get an update client on the private side going out?
I'm going to be running a Mikrotik RouterOS to the bullet , after I get this squared away.
Otherwise I have to purchase a static IP?

Serious budget constraints is my issue at the moment, and business owner is less than willing to spend any money on my pipe.
Thanks for listening.

[Dave-D]

i'd agree with the tech on this one: don't
bridge a dynamic IP address. And for a
business connection, I would almost
always insist on a static IP--if only
for the easier management.

Are you really sure your DSL contract with
ATT allows re-sale of service? I highly
doubt this, and if not, it puts you in the
same jeopardy as before; being cutoff
prematurely. It's one thing to share
among a few 'friendly' clients in the same
building--another to provide public WiFi.

They might be able to sue for mis-use
of services.....

I sympathize with your quandry with the
number capture; I've had CSRs insist the
only way to 'fix' an allocation problem was
to disconnect the offending line. Rubbish.... Dave

[Jayson]

ATT uses PPPOE. Set the modem to bridge and let you Mikrotik box do the PPPOE. FYI AT&T DSL in most areas is all PPPOE now whether you have a static or dynamic.

[surfergeek411]

i'd agree with the tech on this one: don't
bridge a dynamic IP address. And for a
business connection, I would almost
always insist on a static IP--if only
for the easier management.

Are you really sure your DSL contract with
ATT allows re-sale of service? I highly
doubt this, and if not, it puts you in the
same jeopardy as before; being cutoff
prematurely. It's one thing to share
among a few 'friendly' clients in the same
building--another to provide public WiFi.

They might be able to sue for mis-use
of services.....

I sympathize with your quandry with the
number capture; I've had CSRs insist the
only way to 'fix' an allocation problem was
to disconnect the offending line. Rubbish.... Dave
Yes, reselling their service or not. I kinda think they wouldn't know if they tried wanted to. Seriously though I'm not 100% sure if they care. But, in actuality I'm not really reselling. The access is Free, I'm planning to use MK's HotSpot (walled garden,etc..) to use advertising local businesses for revenue. So, that also maybe an issue. But basically it would be an internet cafe with free wifi via advertising revenue. I'm really in test mode with other sources of revenue in the works, as I don't know that this model is ever going to send me to Fiji.
When I can afford it I'll spend the money and get the right connection with the right provider.

[surfergeek411]

ATT uses PPPOE. Set the modem to bridge and let you Mikrotik box do the PPPOE. FYI AT&T DSL in most areas is all PPPOE now whether you have a static or dynamic.
Thanks, yeah, I'll go with that setup if I stick with AT&T.

[Dave-D]

Sorry, but 'free' doesn't make the difference.
It's the re-distribution that's prohibited. The
legal assumption may be that those users
might be paying clients if not for the 'free'.

I'm not a lawyer; this is not legal advice.

Could they find out? In an instant: just confirm
the public IP address from any Wifi client PC.

On the other hand, I've heard good things
about Fiji! Dave

[surfergeek411]

lol.... Fiji is a very very nice place. No AT&T.
Yep I would agree with you on the fact that "re-distributing" IP address/Internet access could be considered in violation of their EULA.
Interesting though. I'm at a coffee shop, with free wifi. I've spoken with the owner. He uses RoadRunner cable and has no problem with them.
So, I guess you could argue that he's making money off them (RoadRunner) by attracting customers to come in to use his internet on the premise they'll buy his coffee.
Could be parallel to selling advertising while giving away their (AT&T) bandwidth.
Not too much of a stretch, you think?

[Dave-D]

Heh--to 'ATT' add 'Verizon' and (for us very
lucky New England folk) 'Fairpoint'. A more
inverse name was never put forth....

And I think you're exactly right: re-distributing
RoadRunner probably puts you in as much
jeopardy as ATT. It's their call whether they
choose to hassle you or not, and I'd hate
to be subject to their whims.

So, for me, the larger question is: can I get
a service agreement at a reasonable price
that includes redistribution rights? I'm sure
if I'm a WISP I can get one, but I'll bet they
will insist on a per-head tariff. Anybody? Dave

PS: I would guess the 'selling advertising' point
has no bearing; it's purely intent to redistribute.