RLF / Wraiths

Mad_Gerbil · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:35 pm Post subject: Verizon Blows Goats

I'm trying to set up a web server in my home. [edited by mg to remove website reference ]

That aside, my setup is composed of:
1: Westell 2100 modem
2: Linksys Router/Firewall
3: Windows 2003 Server (IIS 6.0)
4: No-IP.com service to cover me as I've got a dynamic IP.
5: Verizon DSL Business Grade Line ($40 per month)

With the default installation in place I should be able to see the default web page for IIS 6.0 which is just a 'Under Construction' page for my purposes. I was disappointed when I couldn't see my website from the outside so I began to troubleshoot the problem.

Since I'm new to Windows Server 2003 my first assumption was that it was locked down and couldn't display a website without opening it up a little bit. I banged my head on that problem for a month and found out that the default installation of IIS 6.0 will display static web pages. So far so good - it isn't the server.

The next problem in my list is the possibility my firewall is blocking incoming traffic on port 80 - naturally I set the firewall up to forward port 80 requests to my server. Oddly enough, I've a TS server and I host Age of Empire games and those ports are forwarded to two different machines - Hey, I got the port forwarding down. Forwards of port 80 aren't working though.

Just for kicks I set up the webserver to serve webpages on port 8080.
Bingo! It works.

Next Suspect: Verizon.

I call up Verizon and ask them if they'd please stop blocking port 80:
MG: Hi, I've got a business grade line and I want to host my own webserver. Will you please unblock port 80 so that I can host a webserver?

Verizon: We don't block port 80 - if you did you wouldn't be able to access the internet.

MG: I'm not talking about outgoing port 80, I'm talking about incoming port 80 requests.

Verizon: You wouldn't be able to use google.com if we were blocking port 80.

MG: Look lady, I'm a firewall that blocks port 80 and I can still access the internet through it because it is blocking incoming requests. I'm not talking about accessing the internet I'm talking about the internet accessing me!

Verizon Supervisor: Thanks for holding, we don't block any ports. If you have a question about that you can get more detail from Security@Verizon.Net

So I contact security at Verizon and a very authoritative and in-the-know sounding person contacts me and assures me that I've got a wide open pipe. He's the 3rd person at Verizon to tell me they don't block port 80 so I believe them and move on to suspecting the modem they sent me.

The modem is a Westell 2100.
Here is what the Westell website says about my modem:
Quote:
Westell technical support is offered to Internet Service Providers, independent phone companies, and distributors.
If you are an end user, please contact your Internet Service Provider for technical support

So I contact Verizon:
MG: Hi, I'm looking for information on the Westell 2100 you sent me. I'd like to get a user manual, or just any documentation whatsoever.

Verizon: We no longer ship that model. We have no documentation available anywhere.

MG: I'd like to know if that modem blocks any ports.

Verizon: No it doesn't.

MG: I'm wondering if perhaps I was sent the wrong modem. I'm a business customer - perhaps you sent me a residential modem?

Verizon: Business customers and residental customers get the same modem.

MG: Oh, okay...thank you.

So after 1/2 dozen phone calls I finally get ahold of a 'tier 3' technical support specialist. The reason for this call was so that he could get me set up and attached to a private Verizon newsgroup. I couldn't figure out how to get my Outlook to attach - (couldn't find the server) - after he tried to connect using a remote desktop connection, and failed, we gave up.

Since this guy couldn't get me attached to the newsgroups I thought I'd chat and ask him about port 80.

MG: On another topic, the reason I wanted to get into the newsgroup is so I could find out if port 80 is blocked.

Verizon: I can tell you that it is blocked. We block port 80 for all dynamic IP addresses. It prevents abuse.

MG: Um..I'm paying $40 a month for a 'Business Grade' line - I got a 'Business Grade' line so that I could run a server. What on earth is the difference between a business grade line and a residential line then?

Verizon: We send you better equipment, you get better service, and faster line speed.

MG: *I'm thinking, "The other lady told me Residential and Business get the same modem and as for service - if this is how you treat business class customers I have to feel real bad for the Residential Customers*

So anyways the long and short of it is that after 3 weeks of Verizon denying that they block port 80 I found out that they indeed do block port 80 -even on business grade lines! (if dynamic) That after 4 other people told me that they don't.

Fortunately, No-IP.com allows me to do port forwarding so you can reach my website at www.madgerbil.com. Right now it is only a construction page with 'el wOOto' in the title but it is a start. I'll begin working on it in a week or two.

I'm amazed at the incompetence, abuse, and shotty service at Verizon. They want me to pay another $40.00 for a static IP but for the total cost of $80.00 I could get cable internet and cable TV - which I might just do when my contract is up in July.

Verizon is fully of con men, liars, and idiots.
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LaughingRat · Mirthful Rodent Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 515

Funny you should post this today. Just yesterday, I started considering dumping my land phone line and getting a cellphone. Remembering a friend who had a HORRIBLE experience with a cellphone company¹, and wanting to avoid that company, I asked her what company it was, and 'lo, it was Verizon.

Just odd you should post that today, right after this, is all.

So yeah, Verizon sucks. Completely. Darcrist has some Verizon horror stories, too.

¯°»ME«°¯½ · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject:

LaughingRat · Mirthful Rodent Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 515

Mad_Gerbil · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:41 pm Post subject:

LaughingRat · Mirthful Rodent Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 515

Mad_Gerbil · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject:

Bergil · RLF Captain Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 162

Hey Gerbs...I'm reasonable, right? I'm your right hand man, of course I am, don't look at me like that.

What are you going to put on your server?
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¯°»ME«°¯½ · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:14 am Post subject:

¯°»ME«°¯½ · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:15 am Post subject:

when do you find the time to type all that stuff gerb i meen omg ?!?!?!!??!?!?! i mean for me its school then homework and couple hours of computer i meen omg!!!!
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WildBill · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:30 am Post subject:

I've also seen friends have lots of issues with Verizon DSL, particularly with regard to blocked ports. I can also attest that their business plans are a farce -- it's the exact same service.

What I don't understand is why all these ISPs charge so much extra for a static IP. I've looked at the namespace records, they're not doing it for lack of available addresses. And it's not like it's hard to always give the same modem the same IP address. I guess it's likely purely for profit, which probably shouldn't surprise me.

Mad_Gerbil · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:21 am Post subject:

Mad_Gerbil · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:24 am Post subject:

Cap'n Cool · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:00 pm Post subject:

I took high school typing class with Gerb a looong time ago... I remember him driving the teacher crazzzy with his awesome typing skills (maybe it was for some other reason, I dunno)...Looks like all that hard work paid off Gerb.

By the way, I've had an account with verizon for about 5 years and have'nt had much, if any, problems with them. It does sound like their tech support sucks though. I never get too technical with them cuz I'm just a simple man.... with a simple cell phone account.

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