The best all round value for money I've found is the D-Link DSL-300G, it's not a router, it's an ethernet-to-ADSL bridge. Basically, you still need to run PPPoE client software on another machine. I went with it because it allowed me to move over to ADSL without having to reconfigure my entire network. I simply plugged it in to the switch and configured my existing router to do PPPoE instead of serial PPP, which it used to do for my analogue leased line connection.
For a single user set-up, all you need do so is hook it up to an ethernet port on your PC and set up PPPoE software on the PC itself. Basically, what you have there is a modem connected via ethernet. In almost all cases, this is the best solution. PCI and USB modems rely on the system CPU to perform all the modulation and processing.
This means, your ADSL connection will create overhead for your PC, slowing it down, and in extreme cases, slowing down the connection itself. An ethernet bridge or router type modem does its own processing, meaning there will be no performance hit on your PC, and the connection will run at the best possible rate. If you have a very fast machine, you could consider a PCI or USB modem, but I would stay far away, especially if you plan to use resource heavy applications at the same time as your connection. For instance, running the latest Unreal Tournament with all graphics settings maxed out, while trying to support a PCI or USB ADSL modem at the same time, will probably bring your game speed down to slide show.
A router type modem will only really be useful to you if you have a network with several PCs, all requiring internet access, and do not already have an existing hardware router, or UNIX box acting as a router, in place. If you already have some sort of router, or just want to connect one PC, go with an ethernet bridge type modem.
Currently, the only bridge type modem on sale in S.A. is the DSL-300G. It should not retail for anything over R750, and you should be able to find it anywhere. The modem's performance as a pure ethernet to ADSL bridge is stellar. I have never had any problems with abrupt disconnections or speed variances. It also interacts beautifully with my FreeBSD machine, which acts as my router. All I needed to do was plug it in, set up the ppp application and NETGRAPH_PPPOE modules on the FreeBSD system, and everything was working.
For a high performance connection for a single PC, or for networks where you have already invested in another kind of router, you won't find anything better than the DSL-300G.
Stay away from the Telkom free modem option. It will tie you in to a two year contract, and will provide you with a modem which lacks many of the features, and the reliability, of the other products on the market, and which is overpriced, in anyone's language.
Note: I am not presently, nor have I been at any time in the past, affiliated with D-Link or D-Link S.A. in any way. My recommendation is based purely on my experience with the product.
Willie Viljoen
Web Developer
Adaptive Web Development
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