Ordered my ADSL without modem - I need advice

LandyMan

LandyMan

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Hi all,

Ok, so I have decided to take the plunge (I don't really travel to clients anymore) and ordered the Telkom Closer 5 package, to drop the cost of my 3G bill.

I ordered just the line, without any modem, as I haven't really looked at the different ADSL modem options, and this is where I need some advice. The home setup is as follows:

1. Wife works from home, so she uses the phone line, as well as internet and a wireless printer
2. I work from home at night sometimes, and obviously browse and what not during that time as well
3. I already have a Wireless AP (which I used to connect to my iBurst modem), and it powers the wireless in the house for Airtunes and the wireless printer and notebooks

Now, based on the above, what should I get? I was thinking an ADSL Router with wireless, as the location of the line termination is a bit crap, and with all the concrete the signal won't be too great if I take my existing AP and connect it to a normal ADSL modem. I would rather use the existing one as a repeater to boost signal.

Thanks in advance
 
You could also buy a plain vanilla ADSL modem cheaply and 2 Powerline adapters. Plug your modem into one of the Powerline adapters and the other is used for your existing Wireless AP. The adapters plub into your electricity socket and use the AC wiring to move data around. Total cost, about R800 - R1000.
 
Quasimodo said:
You could also buy a plain vanilla ADSL modem cheaply and 2 Powerline adapters. Plug your modem into one of the Powerline adapters and the other is used for your existing Wireless AP. The adapters plub into your electricity socket and use the AC wiring to move data around. Total cost, about R800 - R1000.
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make sure that everything's on the same circuit/phase or this won't work
 
I'd recommend either a Linksys, a Siemens SX762, or a Netgear DG384G (not DG834GT) for their low latency abilities. if you dont care too much about pinching every last millisecond out of your router, but rather for stability, then you might find other modems better suited to your needs
 
LandyMan said:
Hi all,


Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Landy, good to hear from you.

I would consider the wireless "N" capable router/modems. They handle up to 300MBPS over wireless and usually comes with Gigabit lan (ethernet ports). Their penetration are also good depending on what model you buy. You will also be on your way to set up a future proof wireless network to further upgrade the current over time.

Make sure the new modem/router is ADSL2+ capable
Make sure it is a dual band unit 5GHz and 2.5 GHz
Dual or more atteanaes/channel is better for range and "top" floors


Read here for more info

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?p=3038658

http://www.duxbury.co.za/Netgear/datasheets/DG834N_DS.pdf

http://www.pcmall.co.za/moreinfo.asp?sku=DGNB2100-100EUS

http://www.duxbury.co.za/Netgear/datasheets/dgn2000_ds_21may09.pdf

http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/WirelessNRoutersandGateways/DGN2000.aspx

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewProduct&localeCode=EN_BEL&cid=1&scid=119&pid=1641

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8548841&type=product&id=1188561003287
 
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Guys, thanks for the info ... I bought a couple of Linksys units for my previous company a while ago, and I must say, they are quite nice. Only problem with them is that the ADSL modem port is not the smal telephone jack if I remember correctly
 
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LandyMan said:
Guys, thanks for the info ... I bought a couple of Linksys units for my previous company a while ago, and I must say, they are quite nice. Only problem with them is that the ADSL modem port is not the smal telephone jack if I remember correctly
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If you're talking about the WRT54G/GL then its not an ADSL modem. They do work well though. I have a couple connected to our ADSL modem but you'll need a separate modem if you use those. Linksys do make actual ADSL modems as well though.
 
Hmm, ok now I am in two minds:

Option 1: Linksys WAG160N
Option 2: Netgear DGN2000

Or the Linksys WRT range?

I dunno ... help please guys
 
LandyMan said:
Hmm, ok now I am in two minds:

Option 1: Linksys WAG160N
Option 2: Netgear DGN2000

Or the Linksys WRT range?

I dunno ... help please guys
Click to expand...

I don't know either of those, I had a Netgear DG834 which worked well, I'm now using a Billion 7300G. Both have wireless etc. I don't think you can go wrong with Linksys or Netgear though. The other option is to get a cheap ADSL modem with one ethernet port, no wireless etc and then connect that to a WRT54G.
 
I have a billion 800vgt which I got from a telkom shop. Nice to have features include:

1) Built-in VPN server - Very useful if you ever want to have remote access to your home network. I set up a L2TP tunnel with IPSEC and together with DynDNS (router supports dynamic DNS) it work brilliantly. I know you can use an external VPN server,but having it built into the router is great.
2) It has 2 FXO connections for a standard analogue telephone. The router can convert this to VOIP. Although I haven't used this yet, it does allow you, in theory, to subscriber to a voip provider and make VERY cheap international calls. The router automatically falls back to the telkom pots line if the voip connection is unavailable.
3) Built in firewall. Most routers have this, but it's important.
4) Supports pass-through. The router dials a ISP (lets say a shaped account) and most of my devices access the internet via the router, but with pass-through my xbox can still dial its own account (unshaped). Multiple connections are possible at once.
5) Supports WDS, which I have it set up to my Siemens AP.

All and all I'm very happy with the router. I have read about some issues with DHCP, but I use only static anyway
 
The DHCP on the Billion router's are enabled unless you want to use a static IP address.The are no issues on the Billion router's,they work very well and people are happy about them.I would advise you to get a billion router! :-)
 
Anyone know where I can walk into a shop and buy linksys goodies? Telkom is arriving tomorrow morning, and I would like to have the modem there when they are busy installing
 
LandyMan said:
Anyone know where I can walk into a shop and buy linksys goodies? Telkom is arriving tomorrow morning, and I would like to have the modem there when they are busy installing
Click to expand...

The netgear will also be good!

http://www.incredible.co.za/ProductDescription.aspx?SKU=68552

This one is the better one with usb included. Ideal for PS3 or Xbox360

http://www.incredible.co.za/ProductDescription.aspx?SKU=68553

Above link only works in firefox for me? I have a BUG?

Pricey but at cost (excl), if you are interested PM me, then you can collect COD at my supplier in JHB Oxford/North str
 
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I am Penguin said:
The netgear will also be good!

http://www.incredible.co.za/ProductDescription.aspx?SKU=68552

This one is the better one with usb included. Ideal for PS3 or Xbox360

http://www.incredible.co.za/ProductDescription.aspx?SKU=68553

Above link only works in firefox for me? I have a BUG?

Pricey but at cost (excl), if you are interested PM me, then you can collect COD at my supplier in JHB Oxford/North str
Click to expand...

HAHAHA, those links only work in IE for me, Firefox gives an application error
 
From the 16th of October (1st call to Telkom) around 1pm to the 22nd of October at 10:30, my ISDN line has been converted to ADSL, picked up my modem this morning (thanks Penguin!!!! :))

Now the hunt for an ISP :D
 
LandyMan said:
From the 16th of October (1st call to Telkom) around 1pm to the 22nd of October at 10:30, my ISDN line has been converted to ADSL, picked up my modem this morning (thanks Penguin!!!! :))

Now the hunt for an ISP :D
Click to expand...

Use any (cheapest) ISP selling SAIX bandwith! (Use it loose it!)

:) Hope you will be satisfied. Call me if there is any issues to address.
 
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