Modem/router for R1000?

Ok I saw the TP-link products at some PC store in Centurion today and they don't look as cheap as I initially thought.

So what I've decided is that I'm gonna split the modem and router for the first time, so thank you all for helping me make that decision.

Now I just gotta decided which models to use for each one. I think for a router, this one that was posted earlier in the thread looks awesome: http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=1_55_56&products_id=759 just to confirm, I can load DD-WRT on this one right?

Suggestion for a plain ADSL modem from TP-link?
 
I placed an order for the WR1043ND to replace my current Telkom adsl modem which is now starting to give me problems.

After paying I then decide to check the pics of the Router and I notice it doesn't have a port for the DSL line :cry:

What can I change my order to - which has the same specs as the above Router and at the same price from dbg.co.za

Edit: Will this be a similar replacement TP-LINK W8960N

Although its not supported by dd-wrt :cry:
 
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As discussed above, rather get a separate DSL modem. It doesn't look like TP-Link have a wireless-N ADSL modem with Gigabit ethernet. Look here for the options.
 
feo said:
I notice there's no recommendations for big names like Netgear or Linksys. Any reason why?

I'm skeptical To go for these TP-link products, are they 100% solid?
Click to expand...

I had an extremely bad experience with TPlink equipment, I will never buy anything from DBG ever again. I recently tried equipment from Scoop and so far I'm very impressed.
 
Speedster said:
As discussed above, rather get a separate DSL modem. It doesn't look like TP-Link have a wireless-N ADSL modem with Gigabit ethernet. Look here for the options.
Click to expand...

I don't really need Gigabit Ethernet as it is for home and only my Media Server is a wired connection - the rest is all wireless
So I just need Wireless N and a Router/Modem that is compatible with dd-wrt

Any suggestions?
 
Nimz said:
I don't really need Gigabit Ethernet as it is for home and only my Media Server is a wired connection - the rest is all wireless
So I just need Wireless N and a Router/Modem that is compatible with dd-wrt

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

If I were you I'd stick with the router you ordered and just add an ADSL modem. I'm not sure about dd-wrt compatibility so I can't comment on that.
 
feo said:
What exactly was wrong with the equipment from TP-link?
Click to expand...

I'd also like to know.

@feo - Doesn't look like the WR2543ND as you linked is supported by DD-WRT.
The models which are currently supported are:
  • TL-WR1043ND
  • WA901ND
  • WR740N
  • WR741ND
  • WR841ND
  • WR941ND

As for your choice of ADSL router for the gateway, any router will do. My router is 6-7 years old and it does the trick just fine.
 
stroebs said:
I'd also like to know.

@feo - Doesn't look like the WR2543ND as you linked is supported by DD-WRT.
The models which are currently supported are:
  • TL-WR1043ND
  • WA901ND
  • WR740N
  • WR741ND
  • WR841ND
  • WR941ND

As for your choice of ADSL router for the gateway, any router will do. My router is 6-7 years old and it does the trick just fine.
Click to expand...

Ok I'm confused now. I thought I'm supposed to be looking for one router and one ADSL modem. Or did you mean any MODEM will do as a gateway?

I'm leaning towards the 941ND as a router, good choice?
 
feo said:
Ok I'm confused now. I thought I'm supposed to be looking for one router and one ADSL modem. Or did you mean any MODEM will do as a gateway?

I'm leaning towards the 941ND as a router, good choice?
Click to expand...

Haha yes I say router because it is a router with a modem. Any router with an ADSL modem in it will do.

The 941 is basically the 1043 without the USB, with some software changes (irrelevant if you're using DD-WRT).
http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/tp-link-tl-wr941nd/4505-3319_7-33178398.html

I think the TP-Link routers do suffer slightly with the range issues. If you need long range, you're better off getting an ASUS router. All depends on the setup in your house.

Here's a review website you can take a look at:
http://shop.retrevo.com/m/s/TP-Link-TL-WR941ND-Wireless-Routers-review-manual/id/23007ci265/t/1-2/ - WR941ND
http://shop.retrevo.com/m/search/productpage?c=1047&og=510175&m=23695775 - WR1043ND

Oh, and the WR941ND isn't gigabit, so you're better off spending money elsewhere anyways.
 
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Hi stroebs, I get the impression that if I install the DD WRT firmaware, I will also have to competent to do some programming to get it to work properly. Is this so or can I just do it all from the web interface?
Thanks
 
TonyA said:
Hi stroebs, I get the impression that if I install the DD WRT firmaware, I will also have to competent to do some programming to get it to work properly. Is this so or can I just do it all from the web interface?
Thanks
Click to expand...

No programming experience required. As long as you can follow a tutorial then you can install it.

You can get a feel for the interface over at http://www.dd-wrt.com/demo/
 
Def don't need to be competent at all..

Its a powerful firmware with a decent gui that will let you do everything you need from the interface.
 
Ok so bought the 1043 as the router and the 8817 as the modem (cheapest one they had).

Now down to business, the setup in my house. My phone line is in the middle of my house with my PC right at the back of the house. So previously I had my Netgear set up as an access point by phone line and another el cheapo Linksys with DD-WRT on it acting as a client wireless bridge connected to my PC.

Now the router and modem I got are replacing the Netgear (which was a router with built in ADSL modem). So I have a few questions.

The 8817 is a modem and router (albeit a very limited 1 port router), am I correct in saying that?

Secondly, which one must I setup as the DHCP server? The modem or the router? Or does it not matter?

Do the modem and router need to be in the same IP range for this setup to work?

Problem is I'm having issues getting the PC to get an IP address from the main router.

Help
 
feo said:
Ok so bought the 1043 as the router and the 8817 as the modem (cheapest one they had).

Now down to business, the setup in my house. My phone line is in the middle of my house with my PC right at the back of the house. So previously I had my Netgear set up as an access point by phone line and another el cheapo Linksys with DD-WRT on it acting as a client wireless bridge connected to my PC.

Now the router and modem I got are replacing the Netgear (which was a router with built in ADSL modem). So I have a few questions.

The 8817 is a modem and router (albeit a very limited 1 port router), am I correct in saying that?

Secondly, which one must I setup as the DHCP server? The modem or the router? Or does it not matter?

Do the modem and router need to be in the same IP range for this setup to work?

Problem is I'm having issues getting the PC to get an IP address from the main router.

Help
Click to expand...

Yes, they should be on the same IP range. I'd let the wireless do the DHCP (turn it off on the modem).
 
stroebs said:
  • Netgear - Have had endless problems with some routers and no problems with others.
  • Linksys - Well they're okayish.
  • ASUS - Excellent routers, expensive though.
  • D-Link - Good performance but I prefer their switches (I have the 5-port Gigabit switch PostmanPot mentioned earlier in the thread)
  • Cisco - Overrated. They are this HUGE networking company and I'd expect a device which doesn't fall over once it reaches ~85% switching capacity.
  • Mikrotik - Excellent products. Amazing software and capability - if you know what you're doing ;)
  • TP-Link - Excellent value for money. Even better if you can pop DD-WRT onto it like I did.
Click to expand...

Here's my experience with the routers/ADSL modems:
  • Netgear - Great web interface for setting up basic things, but when it comes to the advanced things that matter (like bridge mode) they often don't even support that option! The Netgear modems are also rather expensive for what they offer. Some Netgear ADSL modems are excellent, whilst other models are terrible - so you really have to go out and read reviews before buying one.
  • Linksys- Don't know much about them, except that the Linksys WRT54GL with DD-WRT firmware was one of the best combo's that you could get. We're still using 3 of them at my office, but we're going to flash them now with OpenWRT since DD-WRT has issues with WPA2 Enterprise. Oh, and Linksys is now owned by Cisco.
  • Asus - Never had any of their network equipment
  • D-Link - Very good price/performance products. The D-Link DSL-2500U is still one of the best ADSL modems that you can get. Their web interfaces aren't as intuitive as Netgear's web page, but at least you can configure everything through it. Their biggest let down is that you can accidentally flash a router/modem with. Their local support is apparently outstanding.
  • Cisco - Their enterprise class stuff are top notch, however, I've had endless issues with the consumer ADSL modems/routers. So stay away from their equipment that you get bundled with your ISP account.
  • MikroTik - I absolutely love to work with their equipment. I love their operating system so much that I'm running it in a Virtual Machine on my HP Microserver :D
    Using WinBox (Windows application) to configure their routers is just so much easier than to use DD-WRT or any other router's web interface/console! Also, you don't need to restart the device to apply changes. They do have a couple of drawbacks though: like they don't support PPPoE relaying, OpenVPN via UDP or Dynamic DNS (without having to script it). MikroTik devices are most definitely the way to go for WUG setups.
  • TP-Link - Also very good price/performance - just like D-Link. You can also flash some of their routers with DD-WRT firmware, which is really much better than their stock standard firmware. They can really improve on some of their routers' stability and amount of things that you can configure. Like my dad's TP-Link WiFi AP was unstable till I flashed it with DD-WRT firmware.
    Their ADSL modems are awesome! Their SNR margins are in the same class as that of D-Link.
    Oh, and be careful not to use a USB 3G modem with it when your SIM is PIN protected - because then it will lock your SIM ;)
 
About to pull hair out here.

Modem, router and wireless gateway all on the same IP range.

Yesterday when I had the modem linked to the router, I could at least get the wifi on my iPad...now I can't! Wtf!

Seriously, what am I doing wrong?
 
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