Using Entatool, and understanding trees

[miles_muso]

Hi All,

I've noticed a few refs to this tool and so downloaded it in installed.

But I want to make sure I'm using it correctly and so I need a little knowledge (a dangerous thing..... ;))

As I understand it, Entanet have 4 pipes (Centrals 1,2,3 & 4) and these go 'into' BT Wholesale. ADSL24 (and other ISPs) buy bandwidth that runs through these pipes. And these pipes are sub-divided into gateways and given names of trees such as ash, birch, chestnut, etc.

Am I right so far?

At the moment, the Entatool reports that I am on Central 2-Chestnut, which currently shows an expected performance of 2.5Mbps, and an Orange status icon.

Centrals 1,3,and 4 show green status icons, and centrals 3 & 4 show higher bandwidth.

Green is better, yes?

And higher speed is better, yes?

So who decides which pipe and gateway I'm using? Is this constantly switching (dynamically) or does ADSL24 have access to Central 2/Chestnut and that's all?

Is this decided by Entanet, or is it to do with how much traffic is being generated by any one ISP at that time?

Why don't I get a connection to Central 4, which is currently running at 7.2Mbps? Is this reserved for business customers who pay a premium for higher speeds and stability?

Maybe someone could explain all this to me, so that I can understand the data I'm looking at.

Thanks guys, and might I just point out that it's nice to be with ADSL24 after my horrific experiences with Tiscali. :)

[James]

Every ADSL24 customer has access to ALL pipes. There is no ISP restriction in place by Entanet. It's pot luck which one you get, but it's normally the one that's least busy (if BT's management works...)

They also do not have certain level customers on Central 4 etc. So everyone has the same chance of getting on it.

Don't worry about the pipes too much - just use the Internet without checking what pipe you are on... it's not that much of a difference as if you are on a good pipe within a few minutes it could be the worst again...

[miles_muso]

Oh really? Bit worrying that it's just pot luck! ;)
As you say, I'm better off not checking - a little knowledge is a dangerous thing......!!!

Thanks for your reply