IMPORTANT READ

[MacGyver]

I would like to reference a story posted on the main page:

More Bandwidth In The Same Pipe

Basically, this story is about using local caching servers at the ISP's office (or elsewhere) to cache frequently accessed/popular sites. AKA TRANSPARENT PROXY. The idea is to reduce the amount of bandwidth required by the ISP so they can have more subscribers with the same main connection(s) (read: cheap), deal with increasing bandwidth needs, or a combination of both.

Why did I say this was importatant? This "transparent" caching proxy is anything but transparent. It adds an extra layer between your computer and the web. Some sites don't work properly because the proxy will corrupt ASP, secure connections, URL's etc etc.

My DSL ISP, Bell (Canada) Sympatico, has used these transparent proxy servers in the past for residental and small business DSL customers. They now appear to be in the process of slowly removing them from service. The servers operate on software that is buggy, and it actually causes more problems for customers than it solves. Bell is now improving their network infrastructure to deal with more subscribers and bandwidth requirements which is what they should have done in the first place.

Some speculate that Bell Canada has lost millions, or even billions of dollars on this failed plan. Being Bell Canada is one of the biggest companies in Canada, they can afford to absorb the loss. A small ISP, however, cannot.

Transparent caching proxies are bad band-aid solutions to problems with real solutions. If your ISP decides to start using these systems, I would advise you to protest, or find a new ISP.

[Darren Wilson]

Thanks for the Head Up, MacGyver. Will have to look into this with my ISP as loading probs with ASP pages have recently started happened to me recently.

[MacGyver]

You can go here to find out if your connection is cached:
http://www.mynetwatchman.com/myNetwa...ectionInfo.asp

[Auric]

poor McGuyver, now you guys all understand why i dumped sympatico and went to cable? <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[MacGyver]

Easy for you to say, Auric. You've got one of the best high speed ISP's available in North America: Cogeco@home. If I wanted to go with cable I would have to go with Rogers: <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> ICK!