Frequently Asked Questions

Categories of questions: Family Eligibility; PISD Resources; Internet Resources; DSL (Digital Subscriber Line); Comcast

Q: Is the Plano ISD Remote Network Access program available to families in all schools of Plano ISD?

A: Yes, the myPISD.net project is available to all families in Plano ISD.

Q: If I order the service today, how quickly will my family be able to access myPISD.net services?

A: Providing DSL service from Verizon or SBC to your home (if available) typically takes up to 25 working days from the date of the order, a little faster than the industry standard. If you already have high-speed access in your home and subscribe only to myPISD.net resources, your access will be ready within 10 days from the date of the order. You will be kept updated on the status of your order via email.

Q: Will I have a network account on myPISD.net for every member of my family when we subscribe?

A: No, when your subscription is processed, each family is issued a single username and password that identifies your family to the myPISD.net network as an authorized subscriber. Once the network recognizes your family authorization, student and parent access is regulated by individual servers and the services they provide. Students will use their standard school network accounts to access school-based resources. General resources on myPISD.net can be accessed by all family members without the use of additional network accounts.

Q: What happens to our myPISD.net subscription when our child graduates or moves from one school to another?

A: The myPISD.net service is only to families who currently have children enrolled in Plano ISD schools. As a student graduates, if no other children in the family are attending school in PISD, then the family myPISD.net subscription will be stopped and no additional monthly charges will be assessed. As children move from one to the next within PISD, the family myPISD.net subscription will automatically be updated so each child has access to their current school network.

Q: My children do not attend school in Plano ISD yet, but we live in the PISD attendance area. Are we eligible to subscribe to the service?

A: No, this program is designed to serve those students currently attending school and their parents. Students not currently enrolled in Plano ISD will not be given remote network access to myPISD.net.

Q: Will my children be able to access all of their school software via the myPISD.net subscription?

A: No, not all of our instructional software is compatible with our remote access servers. Our "proof of concept" testing will enable us to add software applications as they prove compatible and useful to students via myPISD.net. We will keep the most up-to-date list of available applications on the Project Applications page.

Q: Will I be able to view my child's grades and attendance via myPISD.net?

A: ParentViewer for Grades and Attendance is available to view your child's grades and attendance.

Q: Am I required to have high-speed Internet access to subscribe to these services?

A: Due to the nature of many of the software applications and their use of animations, audio and motion video, it is necessary to have at least a 384K connection to the Plano ISD remote access network

Q: Is the Internet access used for some of the myPISD.net resources "filtered" by any software or hardware methods?

A: No, Internet resources available through your subscription to this program are provided by access through Genuity, not Plano ISD. Genuity does not filter their Internet access. There are configuration settings in your Internet browser that will provide some measure of protection. Information on these settings is available in your browser's documentation. An additional layer of protection can be achieved through the installation of Internet filtering software on your home computer. PISD does not recommend a specific filtering software package. Read Safe Surfing Tips from the PISD Instructional Technology Department for more information.

A: No, Plano ISD has worked together with these three partners to provide high-speed access options for families to consider if they participate in this special project. However, the services from Plano ISD are available for subscription by any family who has children attending school in the district and has high-speed Internet access in their homes whether that access is provided by Verizon, SBC, Comcast or another service provider.

Q: I currently have Verizon Online DSL service. Can I convert my current service over to the myPISD.net Verizon DSL service?

A: Yes. If you would like to convert your current Verizon Online DSL service over to the Verizon DSL myPISD.net service, simply contact Verizon Online at (800) 927-3000 to determine if you will be assessed an early contract termination fee. If there is no fee, you must cancel your service with Verizon Online and sign-up through the myPISD.net online ordering process for Verizon DSL. To avoid an early termination penalty with Verizon Online, you may subscribe to the myPISD.net Remote Access service until you reach the end of your current contract term.

Q: I currently have another DSL or cable service provider. Can I convert my current service over to the myPISD.net Verizon or SBC DSL or Comcast cable modem service?

A: Yes, if you would like to take advantage of the Verizon or SBC DSL, or Comcast offer, simply contact your current service provider to determine if you will be assessed an early contract termination fee. If there is no fee, you may consider canceling your service and signing-up through the myPISD.net Verizon or SBC DSL or Comcast online ordering process to take advantage of the various offers. To avoid an early termination penalty with your current service provider, you may choose to subscribe to the myPISD.net Remote Access service until your contract term expires.

Q: What is Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)?

A: DSL is a modem technology that turns a customer's existing phone line into a three-channel data delivery system. One channel transmits voice services, so normal phone or fax usage continues whether or not you are accessing the Internet. A second channel transmits data downstream at high speeds, and a third bi-directional channel transmits data upstream. The downstream and upstream channels carry information to and from the Internet. Phone or fax calls occurring on the voice channel are not affected by your online activity occurring on the two data channels.

There are modems at each end of the phone line. One is at your computer and one is in the Verizon central office. Working together, they provide a dedicated connection that avoids the need to dial-up for access like with traditional analog modem Internet access. The modem in the Verizon central office points your Internet traffic to the DSL network and on to the Internet.

Q: How does DSL work?

A: DSL is based on Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), a super-fast modem technology that can provide data transmission at significantly higher speeds than your standard 56K modem. DSL transforms standard twisted-pair copper telephone wires into a high-speed digital pipe. Since this wiring is already in place in most homes and offices, millions of users can switch to DSL service without the need to run new wires to your location. DSL is designed to take advantage of the portion of the bandwidth not used for voice calls. DSL technology splits your phone line into three information channels. One carries data at high speeds from the Internet to your home computer. Another channel transports data at moderate speeds from your home computer to the Internet. The third channel handles regular phone calls and faxes. You'll be able to surf the Internet while making phone calls or sending a fax. Your regular phone line will continue to work in the event that a power failure affects your computer.

Q: How fast is DSL?

A: Verizon and SBC each have different plans to choose from with regard to the upload and download speeds of DSL. Throughput speeds experienced will be lower than connection speeds based on factors including the distance between your home and the provider's central office; the condition of your line; traffic on the network and the Internet; and the performance of servers hosting Web sites you visit among other factors.

Q: How does DSL support both voice and data on the same line?

A: A device called a "splitter" assigns voice and data transmissions to different frequencies. Digital bits travel on the inaudible frequencies of your phone line. That keeps them separate, and that's why all the signals - voice and data - can work in parallel without colliding with each other. A DSL modem spreads signals over many frequencies on the line, carrying many times more information than an analog dial-up modem.

Q: Are DSL and cable modem customers able to use their telephone or fax machine while accessing the Internet?

A: Yes. DSL and cable modems allow customers to use their existing phone line for voice communications or faxing while they use the DSL or cable modem service for Internet access or data communication services.

Q: Will my telephone work even if my computer or modem is unplugged or disabled?

A: Yes. DSL modems have been designed so that your normal telephone service will operate even if the computer or DSL modem is unplugged or otherwise disabled. Cable modems are not related to your telephone service.

Q: Can I hook up more than one computer?

A: Yes, but the bandwidth will be shared among all of the active connections. Also, Verizon, SBC, and Comcast do not provide technical support for networks. If you choose to set up a network, you need to have the appropriate network systems in place. Please note that families subscribing to myPISD.net services are limited to two concurrent connections.

Q: Will my current phone features work with DSL or cable modems?

A: DSL and cable modems won't affect Caller ID, voice mail, call waiting or other advanced calling features. However, Distinctive Ring may not work with DSL in some areas.

Q: Does DSL or cable modems require installing an additional phone line?

A: No. DSL technology utilizes higher frequency spectrums for data transmissions that are not being used by voice communications. This allows simultaneous analog voice or fax and DSL data transmission over the same telephone line. You still use your phone as you do now. Cable modems do not require a telephone line.

Q: What equipment do I need for DSL access?

A: A DSL end-user must be equipped with a DSL modem, Ethernet card and a computer. The DSL modem must be compatible with our DSL equipment and can be ordered from Verizon. In addition, the end-user's computer must meet recommended minimum system requirements.

Q: Can I use any DSL modem with my Verizon DSL service?

A: No, at this time you need to use a modem that is compatible with Verizon DSL. If you want to use a modem from another source, please check with us first to determine compatibility.

Q: What are the steps of self-installation?

A: DSL is self-installable as described below.

Step 1 - Install DSL Filters

DSL filters, also known as microfilters, allow the DSL signal and your regular phone signal to share the same line. These filters keep the DSL signal from interfering with your phone service. You will need to plug a DSL filter into every phone jack in your home that is being used by a phone, fax, or any other device. You will then plug the phone or other device into the DSL filters. We will provide you with five DSL filters. Installing them is as easy as plugging in your phone.

Step 2 - Install DSL Modem

If you don't already have a DSL modem, you may order one as part of your service, including detailed installation instructions. With some computers, you may need to install an Ethernet card. If your computer requires an Ethernet Card you will need to purchase one at your local computer store and insert it prior to installing your DSL service.

Q: Am I charged for the time my DSL or cable modem or computer is online?

A: No. Verizon DSL, SBC DSL and Comcast service is unlimited. You will not have to worry about how long your modem or computer is in use or turned on.

Q: Are Verizon or SBC DSL and Comcast charges in addition to my current monthly phone bill charges?

A: Yes. Verizon or SBC DSL and Comcast monthly recurring charges are in addition to your monthly telephone service charges.

Q: Will I be able to run a web server (or other server) on my home computer?

A: No. You will not be able to run a web server as part of your myPISD.net subscription. However, you are provided with web space on various servers as part of these special Verizon DSL packages, or services offered by SBC and Comcast and can create pages to share using those URLs.

Q: What is a Dynamic IP address?

A: An IP (Internet Protocol) address identifies a computer or other device on the Internet for the purposes of sending or receiving data. Having a Dynamic IP address means that each time that device accesses the Internet, it will have a different address. There is no need for the user to take any action to set up this address each time he or she goes online.

Q: What are the different types of Internet connections?

A: Dial-up (Analog) Modems
Analog modems were designed to work on regular telephone lines and usually operate at speeds ranging from 28.8K to 56K. The main difference between analog and DSL modems is that an analog modem works over voice frequencies. It can't handle the higher - and much faster - digital frequencies. DSL actually takes a load off the voice channels by using the higher, non-voice frequencies.

Cable Modems
Cable modem technology features Internet connections available through specialized cable television lines that have been upgraded to carry data at high speeds in two directions.

DSL
DSL technology provides a dedicated service over an existing local connection to the Verizon central office near you. This means that you don't have to share your local access connection with other users.

Q: What is Comcast Internet?

A: It's High-Speed Cable Internet service for your home computer. Comcast Internet uses a cable modem to connect your computer to the Internet, so you're always on. And Comcast Internet does not tie up your phone line, so you are free to talk and surf at the same time. Also provided are multiple e-mail accounts and personal Web space.

Q: How much is Comcast Internet Service?

A: General service charges range from $35.95 to $59.95 a month, depending on your equipment needs. Please note that the general price ranges above are subject to change and may not reflect the actual pricing and special offers available in your area. Please check availability to receive specific pricing for your area and, in some cases, the level of video service to which you subscribe.

Q: How fast is Comcast Internet?

A: With a 56K modem, it could take more than three-and-a-half minutes to download a 1.5 MB music file. But with Comcast Internet, you'll be jamming in just seconds.

Of course, actual speeds vary. Factors that affect the speed of your Comcast Internet service include: your computer's performance and configuration; whether you are accessing non-cached or cached data; performance characteristics of each component of your data network; the number of users and overall traffic on the Internet and Comcast Internet network and all users' compliance with the Comcast Internet Network's Acceptable Use Policy. In addition, upstream data transfer speed is limited.

Q: Can I still use AOL?

A: Yes. AOL* offers a "Bring Your Own Access" deal for $14.95 per month (subject to change). You may keep your existing AOL e-mail address. You must contact AOL directly to sign up for this service. *America Online and AOL are federally registered trademarks of AOL Time Warner, Inc. AOL is not in any way related to the Comcast Internet Service.

Q: With Comcast Internet, do I need an ISP?

A: Comcast Internet is a full-service Internet Service Provider providing unlimited flat-rate access to the Internet as well as e-mail. There is no need for a separate ISP when you sign up for Comcast Internet.

Q: Who do I contact if I encounter problems with my DSL, cable modem or WSL service?

A: Verizon and SBC can assist you with questions concerning your DSL modem, your DSL service and any billing questions. Comcast can assist you with questions concerning your cable modem and any billing questions. PISD can assist you with questions concerning all educational curriculum and applications that are accessed through myPISD.net. All other questions can be directed to the myPISD.net Help Desk. If you are not sure who to contact, you can always contact the myPISD.net Help Desk and they will try to assist you.

Verizon DSL Support: (888) 391-1234
SBC DSL Support: 877-722-3755
Comcast Support: 888-824-8152
PISD Software Support: myPISD@pisd.edu (email only)
myPISD.net Help Desk: (972) 387-6777 or support@veedix.com