Which ADSL modem/router to buy ?

Hi everyone,

Please advise me - from responses on this forum on the Marconi modem that Telkom supplies, I gather that it is not the best around. Can one use any ADSL compliant router or modem ?

I have just ordered my ADSL link and need an Ethernet port to my network at home.The Marconi will cost R2000.

When I spoke to the Telkom representative, he mentioned that if I am going to get my own modem, I will need 2 micro filters ? What does this mean ?

Thanks

Fanus

An alternative modem may well be better and cheaper but every time you have access problems they will point the finger of blame at your 'foreign' modem.

I decided to pay more and duck the endless finger pointing. (which is exactly what they intended!)

You can use a different modem, the only problem is that the Telkom guy’s can only help you on the Marconi and Alcatel modems.

You need a micro filter with every handset you have in the house. If you don’t use a filter the DSL and phone line will still work, but if you lift the handset your DSL line may go down and need to re-sync.

I've got the Netgear DG814 and I haven't had a single problem. Available from Duxbury.

Ask for a splitter when they do the installation. The microfilter is the cheap way of doing a dsl installation. A splitter provides much better performance although the limits of our local dsl make either option ok.

I've been looking around at the different modem options available, and have found three choices. Please correct me when necessary.

<b>1. Telkom Supplied (Marconi)</b>

Telkom offers you the choice of either a USB or an Ethernet version of this modem. The ethernet version is the more expensive option, but offers you NAT capabilities.

I can't quite remember the price quoted by Telkom though, but I think it was in the region of about R2,500.

One of the known issues of the Ethernet version of this, is that it gives trouble when trying to connect to IRC servers. Whenever you try and open up two connections to the same server - even sometimes just when trying a first connection - the modem tends to hang (top 3 green lights stay on and modem stops responding to ping requests).

Just one quick note about this one as well, I've heard reports that one shouldn't update the firmware of this model, as the new firmware as supplied by Telkom apparently locks the router functionality built into it. I've yet to confirm this, but its quite a serious allegation, so be careful before you do.

<b>2. Netgear 814</b>

I've only heard good things about this one. Has all the bells and whistles you'd ever need.

4-port 10/100 hub built-in - perfect for those Home / SOHO networks.
NAT capabilities.
Dynamic IP updates (not sure which provider) built into the modem.

The only place that I know of to buy this, retail, is from @lantic. "R2250.00 inc (normal retail price R2500)". Contact [email protected] for more details.

If you're lucky enough to be able to buy as a reseller, you can contact http://www.duxbury.co.za/ directly.

<b>3. Planet (ADU-2000 / ADE-3000 / ADE-4000)</b>

I've only recently started doing a bit of research on these ones, but have so far identified three different models that you can go for depending on what your needs are.

ADU-2000: USB modem. Does not offer any NAT capability.
ADE-3000: USB / Ethernet combo modem. Offers NAT capability.
ADE-4000: USB / Ethernet w/ built in 4-port hub modem. Offers NAT capability.

These are by far the cheapest of all three brands I've discussed.

There are quite a few places that stock this one, check out one @ http://www.wirecom.co.za/

Hope that helps a bit folks

We only use the Netgear DM602 for all our installations.

It is a USB/Ethernet Router/Modem.

Looks very good. VERY stable.

Got about 30 of them out in the field and have not had any problems with them. They come with microfilters, but these have to be modified a little to work. That shouldn't be a problem, as Telkom installs Microfilters even if you dont use their modems.

You can get them directly from Duxbury, if you have a reseller account.

They retail for about R 1 300.00 - R 1 600.00.

Does anyone use an Alcatel Speedtouch USB?

We supply ZyXEL (PCI, USB, and Ethernet). These modems are absolutely brilliant both in features and price.

PCI: R768
USB: R1056
Ethernet: R2016