FAQ - General

The following is a compilation of general questions often asked by our users.

1. Where is CyberGate located?
2. What Operating Systems/Equipment does CyberGate use?
3. What is a POP?
4. How many hours of access time am I allowed?
5. When are the "peak hours"?
6. I received a "spam". What can I do?
7. How do I request the addition of a new newsgroup on CyberGate's news feed?
8. Why don't I connect at any higher than 33.6 kbs with my 56k v.90 modem?
9. I never connect any higher than 51.2kbs with my 56K modem. Why don't I get 56k?
10. Sometimes my modem will get disconnected but I haven't logged off. Why does this happen?
11. We used to get busy signals and now we have no problem connecting. What did you do?
12. Does CyberGate support ShotGun Technology
13. The dialup connection window won't save my password anymore.

1. Where is CyberGate located?

CyberGate's Network Operations facilities and Corporate headquarters are located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at 3250 W. Commercial Blvd. Please refer to our Local Access Numbers for our coverage areas.

2. What Operating Systems/Equipment does CyberGate use?

CyberGate's main computers run IBM's RISC System 6000 servers using AIX on a variety of platforms. Our Pops (Point of Presence) consist primarily of 3COM -US Robotics Total Control chassis supporting HiPer (Access) router cards.

3. What is a POP?

POP stands for Point of Presence, or, alternately, Place of Presence. The POP location contains a pool of modems, terminal server and router, amongst other equipment which you dial into when calling CyberGate. Once you are connected to a POP, you are directly connected to, and a part of, the Internet.

* NOTE: POPs are sometimes referred to as local access numbers

4. How many hours of access time am I allowed?

CyberGate offers our analog dial-up customers up to 300 hrs of access per month. That's an average of 10 hours per day! Our Subscriber's Agreement states that CyberGate does not allow use of artificial means to keep a connection active. Our Acceptable usage policy requests that you log-on to our network when using our system and log off if you are not. Please be respectful to other users in your area.

5. When are the "peak hours"?

Peak hours includes include weekends and Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

6. I received a "spam". What can I do?

If the user is on another system, try emailing "abuse" or "postmaster" at that domain. If the message is from someone at CyberGate, email security@gate.net.

7. How do I request the addition of a new newsgroup on CyberGate's news feed?

CyberGate offers a complete and up to date newsfeed however, if we are missing a group, you may request it by sending email to news@gate.net.

High speed 56k digital modems require a digital signal to connect at speeds above 33.6 kbs. If the path from your computer routes you through a single analog switch, you will not reach our server with the required digital signal. The resulting connection will be no greater than 33.6 kbs. As local telephone companies replace older equipment, all analog switches will eventually be replaced. HINT: try adding *67, to the beginning of your access number - that is the command to block Caller Id and will force your outgoing call through a different primary switch. This may result in a different route that avoids analog switches.

9. I never connect any higher than 51.2kbs with my 56K modem. Why don't I get 56k?

Your 56k modem is doing its job but it's being held back by the quality of the phone lines on each connection. Noise on a phone line will affect the speed of your connection. If you are getting different connection speeds, it's because some lines are better than others ( the phone company routes your calls through the least busy switches on each connection). As far as a 56 kbs connection is concerned - federal law limits your connection speed to no greater than 53.3 kbs.

10. Sometimes my modem will get disconnected but I haven't logged off. Why does this happen?

Disconnects can occur for a variety of reasons such as line noise, another extension being picked up or a problem with the local terminal server. If the disconnects continue, please call your local telephone company to have your line checked for noise. If there are no problems, call Technical Support to check your software settings.

11. We used to get busy signals and now we have no problem connecting. What did you do?

At CyberGate we are constantly making upgrades to the system to increase accessibility and response time. This includes adding phone lines in all of our points of presence. We may have already made upgrades recently in your area. To see a list of current system upgrades, go to the Network Status page.

12. Does CyberGate support ShotGun Technology

CyberGate does NOT SUPPORT ShotGun Technology, which is the ability to use 2 modems to connect to one account and theoretically increase your "bandwidth" during connection.

13. The dialup connection window won't save my password anymore. The save password block is grayed out and won't let me put a check in it. How do I fix it?

Sometimes that happens - it's a software issue with Microsoft and we don't know why. But, try this

Go to My Computer,

1. click on Control Panel,
2. click on Network. The Network window lists what network components are installed. If Client for Microsoft Networks is not listed*,
3. click on Add,
4. click on Client,
5. then Add,
6. then Microsoft for Manufacturer and
7. Client for Microsoft Networks for the Client -
8. click OK. Notice that Client for Microsoft Networks in now listed among the installed network components.
9. Select the Identification tab at the top of the window.
10. For Computer Name input your CyberGate UserID and
11. under Workgroup type CyberGate.
12. Click on OK at the bottom of the window and allow the computer to reboot.
13. When it reboots, it should prompt you for a UserID and Password,
14. Do Not fill in the password,
15. hit OK and
16. OK again when asked to confirm the password. (this window should never appear again on boot up)

You should now be able to put a check in the Save Password box on your dialup connection.

(Remember, it will not save your password until the first time you actually connect to the server)

*NOTE:

A) If Client for Microsoft Networks is listed as one of the installed network components, check the Identification tab to insure that Computer Name is your UserID, if not - insert it and reboot, following the instructions above (numbers 13-16)

B) If your CyberGate user name is shown under Computer Name, return to the Components window, highlight Client for Microsoft Networks - click on Remove, click on Ok and reboot your computer. Follow the instructions above to reinstall Client for Microsoft Networks. (numbers 1-16)