Advice on modem.

[eye_nose]

I am in the process of changing my ISP and my new provider is offering two options - use my existing modem/equipment and get two free months service, or get free modem/equipment.

I've had the existing modem for a few years - it's the Alcatel green splat type one. Should I take the new one or will the old one do fine?

Also, on a side note, what is a static IP address, and why might I want one?

Many thanks.

[rojash]

Me, I'd take the free service.

Everything that is connected to the inernet has an ip address. This is so that messages passed around arrive at the right location. If you just use the web for surfing, e-mail etc. the address only needs to exist for your individual sessions, so you ISP will generate an address for you for the purposes of your individual session. Obviously, if a machine needs to be found by other users, it needs to have an address that remains constant (a web server for example), so it is assigned a static IP address.

You might want one if you (or others) need to access your machine remotely across the web (Web server, print server, for remote control by terminal services or PCAnywhere, etc)

[BillyNoMates]

I would personally get new equipment. The Alcatel 'frog' modem is a poor, unreliable piece of kit in my opinion.

Whatever your new supplier provides it couldn't be any worse than that.

Currently when you use your broadband service, you negotiate an IP address each time your PC is powered up & connected. This address is allocated from a pool of addresses. If you have a static IP address it is the same each time - useful if you want to run a webserver at home for example but unecessary for usual home braodband use.

[spacechimp]

It depends how much the service costs monthly. You can get a good cheap modem from dabs.

[eye_nose]

Thanks for the replies. I took the free equipment, and it turns out I still get one months free connection. Woot!