I really won't recommend Netgear ADSL modems, especially not the new ones. The Netgear DG834GT was an awesome router, but quite frankly the new ones (eg. DGN2200) are terrible if you're far from the DSLAM and want to use a 4Mbps+ ADSL connection, or want to have bridge/half-bridge modes.
Sure, the Netgear modems are easy to setup which is essential for most users, but their ADSL modems really sux with regards to the SNR margins (which is critical for fast ADSL connections) and they don't even have bridge mode any more.
@technofool:
DD-WRT firmware isn't available for ADSL modems at all. DD-WRT is awesome, but I still prefer MikroTik RouterOS above it, which is why I'm just using my Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH router just to dial a single PPPoE connection and my MikroTik x86 box for dialing all my other PPPoE accounts and splitting the traffic.
The ADSL modems that I'll suggest for sub R1k would be TP-Link and D-Link ones. You can get the D-Link ones at many online computer stores in SA, where as the TP-Link ones I've only seen at Uniterm Direct (
www.dbg.co.za) and Prophecy Shop. Unfortunately it seems like Prophecy Shop doesn't list TP-Link hardware any more (like a previous member mentioned).
The primary reason why I suggest these 2 brands are because:
- they're fairly cheap
- they have decent ADSL modems which provides good SNR margins
- they provide bridge & half-bridge modes
- they have SNMP which can be used to monitor the traffic flow through the router with software like MRTG or PRTG Network Monitor
Currently the router/modem that I'll suggest is the
TP-Link W8960N 300Mbps Wireless N ADSL2+ Router * Please note that Uniterm Direct list the prices as excluding VAT, but the public can buy directly from them. I would actually suggest that you buy from them (Uniterm Direct) via Bid-or-Buy, because they list the prices as including VAT & sell them for slightly cheaper than what it is listed as on their own website.
