ADSL Router/modem Help.

[HaltAndCatchFire]

Hi I am getting adsl service end of the month and i want to consider my options very carefully, as to get the best experience out of adsl.

Here is what info i have so far:
(may or may not be correct please correct me if I am wrong!)
1.Obviously, I need a ADSL modem/router.
2.I need an isp account(at this stage will prob go with axxess 5gb)
3.I will be using IPcop, because I have multiple pc`s on my network with multiple access methods (wireless,wired lan)
4.I will connect my modem/router to the "phone line/micro filter"
5.From there to my IPcop machine.
6.then to the specific networks via 2 nic's(network interface cards)


Now here is what I essentially need to know more about:
this is what I understand about the difference between a adsl router and adsl modem. I know from networking101 that modem is a modulator/demodulator and a router routes packets over a lan of some sort, does this aply to adsl?

And will i be able to use an adsl modem or an adsl router with IPcop?(If they are that diffrent)

If by what I understand about the router that you have features related to routing eg NAT port forwarding DHCP etc. will it not be overkill if i am going to use IPcop?Will a modem suffice for that purpose?

Will say the Billion 5102S work well for my "application" or will a simple adsl modem like the Billion 5102SM (which I think is cheaper) work well enough?

Which will be beter?

Another less important aspect is about the telkom rates being cut. Will existing users of adsl service also benefit the price cut? Say you currently have the homedsl384 you are paying R449pm for line, after 1 august will you pay the reduced rate of R359?Or is this only applicable to new signups?

Please any comment and sugestions will be apriciated!

 

[Darth Garth]

Will existing users of adsl service also benefit the price cut? Say you currently have the homedsl384 you are paying R449pm for line, after 1 august will you pay the reduced rate of R359?Or is this only applicable to new signups?

Please any comment and sugestions will be apriciated!

Yes you will also benefit ... can see in my July bill a change as they charged me from the 4th July up till the 30th July and then a seperate amount from the 1st Aug up till the 3rd Aug.

Usually my billing cycle would have been 4th July till 3rd August.

On the modem story ... I would buy a good quality combination ADSL modem/router and not bother with the cheapest and use it's builtin firewall and not bother with installing IPCop.

 

[Toby]

Some of the ADSL Modem/Router Devices drop some switch/firewall functionality if the ADSL line is not used later on.

Consider the possibility that you may switch over to some other Internet connectivity medium in the future. Wireless/Wimax/PowerLine ???

I would look at a dedicated ADSL modem that has an Ethernet port and then a Router/Switch/Firewall device. the LinkSys wrt54g springs to mind.

This would give you flexibility.

 

[HaltAndCatchFire]

Thanx tibby.dude!

I apriciate the clarification!

So you are saying that a good router would be better than using IPcop. Makes sence.

Thanx again

 

[HaltAndCatchFire]

Toby just missed your post there while i was posting one myself!

Anyway i get what you are saying that some devices don't have some functionality if adsl features are not utilized.

I all ready have a SMC SMC2804WBR ( I have not seen any postings about this device) Which is a wireless broadband router.(all the bells and whistles DHCP NAT Wireless etc.) So I think going with a modem or single port adsl router would be better since i want to keep my wired and wireless sperate on my network.

Thanx for your response!