Open the Properties for your ISP connectoid and go to the Server Types tab. Click the TCP/IP Settings button at the bottom of the page. Make sure there is a check in the checkbox �Use default gateway on remote network� on the bottom of the page. Do the same thing on the connectoid for your VPN, only make sure there is not a check in the box. This will allow all packets not destined for your LAN to be routed through your ISP. It worked for me. My apologies if you have already gotten thousands of messages with this solution.

Kelvin Laffoon

Tom Keating replies:

Thanks, Kelvin. Actually, you�re the first to suggest this solution. If I had a TMC T-shirt, I�d give you one for the great tip! I guess that�s one thing that you know that Microsoft tech-support does not.

Your idea will likely work on dial-up connections, but I�m fairly certain it won�t work with a cable modem since a cable modem doesn�t utilize dial-up connections � it just uses the TCP/IP settings for the network card.

Regardless, the tip will come in handy for when I�m using a dial-up connection.

The following letter refers to Kevin Mayer�s Next-Gen Services section in the January 2000 issue of Communications Solutions�.

Kevin, I enjoyed your article in the January issue concerning VoDSL. One thing that would have made it even more valuable would be a lexicon for all the acronyms. I was familiar with some of them, and others I was able to figure out, but others I could only guess at. I believe there might be some other readers in the same boat. The technologies (and the jargon)are changing so rapidly it�s difficult to keep up.

Paul Sears

Kevin Mayer replies:

Thanks for the comments, Paul, and I�m glad you liked the piece. For those who also may have found the numerous acronyms confusing, I have included a short lexicon here.

ADSL � asymmetrical DSL

ATM � asynchronous transfer mode

CLEC � competitive LEC

CPE � customer premises equipment
DSL � digital subscriber line
DSLAM � DSL access multiplexer
HDSL � high-data-rate DSL
IAD � integrated access device
ICP � integrated communications
provider
ILEC � incumbent LEC
IP � Internet protocol
ISDN � integrated digital services network
ISP � Internet service provider
ITSP � Internet telephony service
provider
IXC � interexchange carrier
LEC � local exchange carrier
LMDS � LEC message distribution
system
MGCP � media gateway control protocol
MMDS � microwave multipoint dis
tribution system
MPLS � multiprotocol label switching
NG-IAD � next-gen IAD
OAM � operations, administration,
and management
PSTN � public switched telephony
network
PTT � post, telephone, and telegraph
administration
QoS � quality of service
SDSL � synchronous DSL
SLA � service level agreement
SMB � small to medium business
SME � small to medium enterprise
SNMP � simple network manage
ment protocol
VoDSL � voice over DSL
VoIP � voice over IP