Serial Port Team Streams YouTube on Dial-Up, Exceeding Expectations
A group of enthusiasts, the Serial Port team, recently attempted an unusual feat: streaming a YouTube video using dial-up internet. Despite its slow speeds, they managed to exceed expectations.
The team began by testing the limits of multilink PPP, a protocol that allows multiple modems to connect in parallel. Initial tests with two modems on an IBM Net Vista A21I running Windows ME were promising but slow, as Windows ME could only dial one modem at a time.
The team then moved to a more capable setup, using a total of thirteen com ports with a combination of Digi cards and the onboard port. They connected twelve modems, achieving speeds of 668.8 kbps. This not only surpassed YouTube's video playback requirements but also outpaced broadband speeds of the era.
The team faced challenges along the way. Testing with four modems resulted in hardware failures and dial tone issues. However, they overcame these obstacles through selective re-dialing and reterminating cables. Even the lack of Windows ME drivers for an Equinox com port adapter didn't deter them; they switched to a Windows 2000 computer instead.
The Serial Port team's experiment highlights the potential of multilink PPP in enhancing dial-up internet speeds. Despite using outdated technology, they managed to stream a YouTube video, proving that even with laughably slow speeds, dial-up internet can be pushed beyond its typical limits.
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