Modem purchase advice needed

[ietermago]

With my ADSL installation around the corner (according to Telkom), I have started looking at my modem options. The Mecer USB modems seem to suit my needs (no NIC, less wires, cheap). So are they any good? Or would the Billion 5102SM + NIC be a better bet? If so.... why?

 

[xmin]

Just get the cheapest one on the market. it does not make any difference. and telkom approved story is just another bs to make u buy a expensive telkom adsl modem .

 

[Darth Garth]

Just get the cheapest one on the market. it does not make any difference. and telkom approved story is just another bs to make u buy a expensive telkom adsl modem .

This is the most useless idiotic "advice" I have yet read on this forum.

There are high quality feature packed modems out there cost as much or even cheaper than the Telkom supplied ones.

 

[GuRu]

No such thing as cheapest !

The cheapest can sometimes cost you more in the long term.
Look at backup service from the supplier.
Warantee- swop out or repair ?

USB - never rather go with ethernet far more versatile.

 

[InfinitY]

for the best price on a feature packed modem - why not check on ebay? try get one preferably from overseas..you may have to pay for shipping but i saved about R800 on a Cisco Wireless Broadband Router... surely worth checking out...

 

[BTTB]

Search the forums guys. This topic has been raised many times. At the top of the page -> SEARCH.
The guys are generally referring to D Link and Netgear at present. I have a Zyxel 650R-31 which is now a bit outdated, but no problems whatsoever.

I do not agree one should just go out and buy the cheapest modem. Then you could just as well buy Telkoms modem.

 

[renm]

Ethernet and USB modem:

Ethernet interface modem is better than USB port one, why? Since most commercial ADSL implement using PPPOE(Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) protocol, so Ethernet is a natural carrier of ADSL connection, the USB device has to be simulated to an Ethernet device (via hardware or software), that’s why USB modem always experience the traffic stack.

Difference between ADSL modem and modem/router

An ethernet ADSL Modem will pass on the IP address assigned to it to the device (your PC) attached, you need PPPoE software on your machine to build the connection.

Modem/Router basically is a computer with embed OS, it combines all the hardware/software needed for ADSL connection, and normally with many value-added functions integrated depends on different design (such as NAT – Multi PCs share the connection; Firewall – security control; nPnP - a networking architecture that provides compatibility among networking equipment, simply make your voice and video communication easy; DDNS and VPN etc). Once you setup the device, your PC no need any further config.

so now, with R100-200 difference, you should know which one is your clever choice.

 

[BTTB]

Good advice Renm.

 

[ietermago]

Thanks for all the advise guys. However, being a noob, I'm still a bit confused. If I understand it correctly, you only need a router when you want to connect more than one PC, or am I barking up the wrong tree. I only want to connect one PC and that's it. Will the USB be simpler to set up? I have zero,zip,ziltch experience with networking and I'm afraid I might have some difficulty setting up a router.

renm, if you could explain more about "the traffic stack", DDNS, VPN and PPPoE, it would be much appreciated, since I don't want to buy the wrong product. Like I said, I'm a noob

 

[Perdition]

Most routers these days (i.e. not the Telkom one!!!) are very simple to set up and come mostly configured straight out the box so you don't need to worry about the jargon, all you need to do is enter your account details and you're ready to go. They usually include very easy to follow instructions and if you don't come right there are plenty of people here who will help you.

Definitely take the router over the USB, you may only have one pc now but you may get another pc at some point. Oh yeah just check that your PC has a network card/port

 

[renm]

Thanks for all the advise guys. However, being a noob, I'm still a bit confused. If I understand it correctly, you only need a router when you want to connect more than one PC, or am I barking up the wrong tree. I only want to connect one PC and that's it. Will the USB be simpler to set up? I have zero,zip,ziltch experience with networking and I'm afraid I might have some difficulty setting up a router.

renm, if you could explain more about "the traffic stack", DDNS, VPN and PPPoE, it would be much appreciated, since I don't want to buy the wrong product. Like I said, I'm a noob

Technical terms are not important for you at this moment, but if you want to learn, google them you will get thousands of answers, but one thing is top for you here, you want simplicity, then that's only ADSL modem/router (we can't simply call it ADSL router, actually there is a device there only has got router function which you can't use it to make a connection without modem).

With the up-to-date ADSL modem/router, you don't need worry about the setup besides your account/password, most default settings will work, yes, you do need a network card/port on you PC, no matter what kind of OS it runs.

and, manufacturers will keep upgrade the firmware of your modem/router, keep it updated and stable and more functionality, and you will find some of them very useful actually.

BTW, ADSL modem only (either USB or ethernet port) definitely much more difficult to set up, esp for you, sorry to say that but it's true.

 

[bb_matt]

The only advise worth taking note of here so far is the Ethernet PPPoE option.

Although this topic has been brought up many times, recommending a particular make of ethernet router is really a moot point unless the person recommending it has tried all the different products available.

I may say my Planet router is the best, and someone else will say thier billion router is better - it's so subjective, there's little point in taking advise like that.

Your best bet is to find a few routers that fit your budget and do a search for it's model name on google - "Model XYZ" will find you anything related to the model and of particular importance you should be able to immediately determine if it has excessive problems.

Doing a search for "Model XYZ" review will give more specific results.

You can find products on this site :-

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/index.php?cPath=100_172

Other people I'm sure will post more links - don't really have any in mind right now other than that one.

 

[GU7]

Like everyone said, always go for Ethernet instead of USB.

I saw you asked about the 5102SM from Billion. The SM unit is a modem only and if you have Win XP, there is no easier setup.

just plug it in, and setup a PPP connection using Windows (exactly the way you'd setup a normal analog or ISDN connection. "No experience required!")

I've tried & tested quite a few ADSL CPEs, so if you want some help, gimme a shout.

 

[Moto Guzzi]

The router

The router I will chose, but the modem has other nice to have little tests.

I have yet to see a USB modem working 100% over a period of time, cause all of them is bloated with extra software, to tap your PC's brain.

I have installed uninstalled both USB modem and Router on my XP-PRO PC today, as well as installing them together. I got both of them working , by changing the line plug from one to the other, after disconnecting 1st of course, then wait for sync, and login again. Speeds were more or less the same. You cannot have both active at the same time, cause they use the same WAN Miniport (PPPOE) [See Device manager,Network adapters, and show hidden devices]. Also use your Taskmanager, Networking graph to observe progress].

Make a restore point in XP

The Marconi Router installation: Easy
1-No CD for XP required...The router has it's own chipset.
2-Power up router.
3-Connect Network cord to PC Network Card
4-Connect to Copper line[ADSL]
5-Wait for it to sync
6a-Go to Network connections, and create a new Broadband connection.
6b-Chose to place the shortcut on desktop.
7-Watch Networking in Taskmanager...
8-Double click on shortcut to ADSL/Internet
9-You should be connected..
10-Watch Taskmanager.....
>Graph=LOcal Area Connection=100Mbps
>Graph=Internet ADSL[Or what ever name you gave it, or renamed it to]=100Mbps.
11-Browse...

The Marconi USB Modem installation:
1-Put USB Driver CD in CDROM
2-Click on Setup.exe in root directory
3-Follow steps till reboot, then reboot..
4-Logon again to XP
5-Connect USB modem to ADSL copper line.
6-Connect modem to your PC USB port
7-XP found new hardware.....wait
8-Now, this is where it is looking for the USB CD in CDROM drive a gain...
9-...."Process continueing"....If you have to, take the CD out and push it in again....wait....then it continues with installation...
10-The modem icon on taskbar goes from black to yellow, blue, yellow, green.
11-The connection has synced...OK
12a-Go to network Connections, and create new Broadband connection.
12b-Chose to make shortcut on desktop
13-Double click on shortcut and you are connected[UserID & Password..]
14-Rightclick on modem icon in taskbar...Open the test program.
>Click on Marconi while you press CRTL & SHFT keys together.
>From the advance button, you can check out things, go to Detonator..
15-Watch Taskmanager Networking:
>Graph=Local Area Connection=100Mbps....Not used by this modem.
>Graph=Local Area Connection 2[Or what you renamed it to, I renamed myne
"Local Area Connection 2[USB Modem]=10Mbps
>Graph=Internet ADSL[Or whatever you named or renamed it]
>These latter two graph's will display your USB modem progess....
16-Browse.

 

[ietermago]

Thanks everyone for the excellent advise. I've decided to go for the Billion 5102S. But, I have to wait for Telkom...