VDSL router(s)

steel_dog

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i coudn't find it on tarsus website, i sent them an email but no reply.
is there a link for the firmware?

yesterday i was in telkom shop and saw that they have a new stock of netgear vdsl routers
NETGEAR VEVG2660-1TKSAS for 1290zar
Re the netgear - SWEET!! I must check it out. Prefer them as my post probably suggests :)
Re the firmware - I'll PM you the contact at Tarsus. I'll ask Tarsus for a general email and will post it here.
 

steel_dog

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Okay not so sweet :(.
I've been to two Telkom Direct stores in CPT and they know nothing............ :whistling:
.... about the Netgear :(. I called 10210 and they are equally clueless.
I chatted to Duxbury (the Netgear distributors) and they indicated that the modem is exclusive to Telkom. It's not going to retail till the end of the year.
I'd rather not spend my existence driving around Cape Town so I need to elicit some help please.
I've checked the following stores and they don't have it.
- V&A Waterfront
- Seapoint
Please let me know if any of you manage to locate a CPT store with stock.
Would be GREATLY appreciated.
Really keen to try it out. My Billion issues (as indicated a few posts back) still haven't been resolved.

Rgds,
SD.
 

ajv

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Jan 25, 2011
Messages
446
Okay not so sweet :(.
I've been to two Telkom Direct stores in CPT and they know nothing............ :whistling:
.... about the Netgear :(. I called 10210 and they are equally clueless.
I chatted to Duxbury (the Netgear distributors) and they indicated that the modem is exclusive to Telkom. It's not going to retail till the end of the year.
I'd rather not spend my existence driving around Cape Town so I need to elicit some help please.
I've checked the following stores and they don't have it.
- V&A Waterfront
- Seapoint
Please let me know if any of you manage to locate a CPT store with stock.
Would be GREATLY appreciated.
Really keen to try it out. My Billion issues (as indicated a few posts back) still haven't been resolved.

Rgds,
SD.

I need to get a VDSL router as well, will check Telkom Canal Walk tomorrow.
 

ajv

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Jan 25, 2011
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446
OK, slipped out of the office and walked over to the mall. Telkom Canal walk has 6 in stock, I had a look at one to double check that it's the 2660.
Personally I still want to try and get the Asus, but will research this one a bit more to see if I'll get one.
 

steel_dog

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Messages
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OK, slipped out of the office and walked over to the mall. Telkom Canal walk has 6 in stock, I had a look at one to double check that it's the 2660.
Personally I still want to try and get the Asus, but will research this one a bit more to see if I'll get one.
Awesome. Thanks for the update. Think I'll pickup one of them tomorrow.
I've been looking for info on the device. It's very limited as it appears to be a telecoms provider only device.
Is an AC device which trumps the Billion I currently have.
 

ajv

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Jan 25, 2011
Messages
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Awesome. Thanks for the update. Think I'll pickup one of them tomorrow.
I've been looking for info on the device. It's very limited as it appears to be a telecoms provider only device.
Is an AC device which trumps the Billion I currently have.

No problem, please share your experiences with it. I'm keen to know how it performs.
 

steel_dog

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Jul 5, 2010
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Okay I've purchased the Netgear VEVG2660 from Telkom.
... Arrrrgggggggg.... They've crippled the device. :twisted:
5ghz is gone! So with that goes AC. Goodness knows what else they've disabled.
I have looked for other (international) firmware but absolutely nothing is available at this point. I'm not sure whether this is a hardware or firmware crippling.
Not sure that I'll keep it. Frustrating :'(
 

keymaster

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Oct 24, 2008
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Hi sorry for the noob question.

Are these listed devices modem routers?

Because I connect my telephone line directly to my current D-Link DSL 2750u is has a DSL/Tele port and 4 x LAN ports.
When I was looking at some of the rear view pictures of some of these devices, all I see are LAN ports and WAN ports, no where can I see any ports of telephone line?

I believe you need to first connect telephone line to a modem then you connect it to the WAN port of the router?

Regards,
Key
 

steel_dog

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Messages
769
Hi sorry for the noob question.

Are these listed devices modem routers?

Because I connect my telephone line directly to my current D-Link DSL 2750u is has a DSL/Tele port and 4 x LAN ports.
When I was looking at some of the rear view pictures of some of these devices, all I see are LAN ports and WAN ports, no where can I see any ports of telephone line?

I believe you need to first connect telephone line to a modem then you connect it to the WAN port of the router?

Regards,
Key
VDSL is basically faster ADSL served over the same telephone line you have plugged into your D-Link.
The devices on the thread are VDSL devices.
They are (generally) backward compatible with ADSL/ADSL2+ so can be used as a future proof replacement for your D-Link.
Some of them have an additional WAN port for a Fiber connection (you can checkout Google for FTTH)
Hope that answered the question.
 

keymaster

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Oct 24, 2008
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VDSL is basically faster ADSL served over the same telephone line you have plugged into your D-Link.
The devices on the thread are VDSL devices.
They are (generally) backward compatible with ADSL/ADSL2+ so can be used as a future proof replacement for your D-Link.
Some of them have an additional WAN port for a Fiber connection (you can checkout Google for FTTH)
Hope that answered the question.

Thanks steel_dog for replying.
But I'm trying to ask is, do these VDSL devices have a telephone port?
I have a VDSL connection and its directly connected to my D-link via a telephone cable.
When I look at some pictures, they VDSL routers doesn't seem to have a telephone port only to what it looks like a normal Lan cable port....perhaps I'm wrong?

Regards
Key
 

steel_dog

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Thanks steel_dog for replying.
But I'm trying to ask is, do these VDSL devices have a telephone port?
I have a VDSL connection and its directly connected to my D-link via a telephone cable.
When I look at some pictures, they VDSL routers doesn't seem to have a telephone port only to what it looks like a normal Lan cable port....perhaps I'm wrong?

Regards
Key
Yes VDSL routers do have telephone ports (RJ-11) exactly like ADSL routers.

Your current router will give you an ADSL connection up to 10mbps (the highest available profile offered by Telkom).
Have a look at this image showing your current ADSL router (D-Link 2750u).
http://dlink-manuals.org/images/en/dlink-dsl-2750u-user-manual-2/page-7.gif

Now compare that to this image showing a VDSL router (Billion 8800NL).
http://www.billion.uk.com/images/product/vdsl/8800NL-Diagram1.jpg
You will note that this router also has a telephone connection - the 1st from the left. It's labeled as accepting an ADSL or VDSL connection. That's the connection you'd plug your telephone line into.
LAN4 is also marked as taking a VDSL connection. Disregard this. The router accepts VDSL via an RJ-45 connection as well. That's not how you'd do it though.

Anyway this router will give you an ADSL connection up to 10mbps (the highest available profile offered by Telkom) and ALSO a VDSL connection of up to 40mbps (the highest available profile currently offered by Telkom). LAN4 is also able to take a Fiber (EWAN) connection - that's Fiber to Home, which 100mbps.

Hope that clarifies. :)
 
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steel_dog

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Quick update regarding the Netgear VEVG2660 VDSL router from Telkom.
It's VERY early days however...
  1. Range and strength is almost the same as the Billion 8800NXL. Not much to choose between them.
    Netgear is perhaps marginally better.
  2. Web management console is nowhere as feature rich as Billion.
    Billion is awesome in terms of the settings you have access to and can tweak.
  3. Stability appears to be better than the Billion. e.g.:
    - Billion gave me strange issues during setup. DHCP on the Billion appears to be buggy.
    Swapping between Wired to Wireless on the same PC (Dell) caused major headaches.
    IP's were not assigned correctly. No such issues with the Netgear. [/INDENT]
    - Wireless latency on the Billion appears to be a problem. It's erratic and caused issues
    on RDC connections. Will continue my testing on the Netgear however experienced
    none of this as yet.
  4. I can't access the Netgear command line (via Telnet). Tried the workarounds to enable
    this but none worked :(. Access to the Billion command line is enabled by default.
    Telnet to the gateway and use your router username and password.
  5. There absolutely no sign of 5ghz, which this router is supposed to have.
    LAN1 is 1ghz, so that's great - the manual stated 100mbps.
    There is VDSL connection bonding - you can enter two PPPoE accounts.
    Not really sure how this will work practically.
  6. It's been crippled to an N300, which is sad. :(
Feel free to ask q's.
Will post more after I've spent a few days with it.

Oh - if you're planning to buy one BEWARE!
The boxes aren't shrink wrapped. I specifically asked for a shrink wrapped box. I was assured that the Units are not and are never opened. Well the unit seal was broken. Arrrggg. Telkom Direct.
I guess I should have checked however after spending freeking 45mins waiting in the line I just wanted to head out asap.
 
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keymaster

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Oct 24, 2008
Messages
200
Yes VDSL routers do have telephone ports (RJ-11) exactly like ADSL routers.

Your current router will give you an ADSL connection up to 10mbps (the highest available profile offered by Telkom).
Have a look at this image showing your current ADSL router (D-Link 2750u).
http://dlink-manuals.org/images/en/dlink-dsl-2750u-user-manual-2/page-7.gif

Now compare that to this image showing a VDSL router (Billion 8800NL).
http://www.billion.uk.com/images/product/vdsl/8800NL-Diagram1.jpg
You will note that this router also has a telephone connection - the 1st from the left. It's labeled as accepting an ADSL or VDSL connection. That's the connection you'd plug your telephone line into.
LAN4 is also marked as taking a VDSL connection. Disregard this. The router accepts VDSL via an RJ-45 connection as well. That's not how you'd do it though.

Anyway this router will give you an ADSL connection up to 10mbps (the highest available profile offered by Telkom) and ALSO a VDSL connection of up to 40mbps (the highest available profile currently offered by Telkom). LAN4 is also able to take a Fiber (EWAN) connection - that's Fiber to Home, which 100mbps.

Hope that clarifies. :)

Awesome! Thanks steel_dog!~

My DLink supports Upto 15~16Mbps on ADSL2+ but....the connections keeps dropping once in awhile which is quite irritating, which I'm not sure what is causing it. Also my line states seems quite high...which could be the reason why its dropping all the time.

I heard that if you're using VDSL routers the line will be much more stable.

Thanks again

Regards,
Key
 

steel_dog

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Joined
Jul 5, 2010
Messages
769
My DLink supports Upto 15~16Mbps on ADSL2+ but....the connections keeps dropping once in awhile which is quite irritating, which I'm not sure what is causing it. Also my line states seems quite high...which could be the reason why its dropping all the time.

I heard that if you're using VDSL routers the line will be much more stable.
Hi Key,
Although your D-Link supports a higher (than 10mbps) sync rate, you won't get this in SA. Telkom don't make this profile available.
In order to get higher than 10mbps in SA, you need to upgrade to VDSL _if_ your exchange supports it and your line stats are suitable.
Call whomever manages your line and ask them to check whether your line supports VDSL and at what rate.

Your current issues with dropouts is concerning and will affect your VDSL connection equally.
Have a look at your SNR and Attenuation stats. They are the important ones.
Check out this thread... http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/186156-Understanding-SNR-and-Attenuation-Rates

If there's a problem on the line you'd need to sort that out first else both ADSL and VDSL will suffer equally.
The ADSL Discussions thread is where you can get help diagnosing. There are stickies there that will help.

Rgds,
SD
 

keymaster

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Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
200
Hi Key,
Although your D-Link supports a higher (than 10mbps) sync rate, you won't get this in SA. Telkom don't make this profile available.
In order to get higher than 10mbps in SA, you need to upgrade to VDSL _if_ your exchange supports it and your line stats are suitable.
Call whomever manages your line and ask them to check whether your line supports VDSL and at what rate.

Your current issues with dropouts is concerning and will affect your VDSL connection equally.
Have a look at your SNR and Attenuation stats. They are the important ones.
Check out this thread... http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/186156-Understanding-SNR-and-Attenuation-Rates

If there's a problem on the line you'd need to sort that out first else both ADSL and VDSL will suffer equally.
The ADSL Discussions thread is where you can get help diagnosing. There are stickies there that will help.

Rgds,
SD

Before I upgrade to 20Mbps VDSL line, I asked my line ISP to check whether I support it. They said I do support it which is why I upgraded.

I also check with Telkom whether my area is capable of such line speed, they show my line can support up to 40Mbps.

Anyways, after the upgrade it was awesome, the speed definitely increased, did a few speedtest throughout the day and the speed was constant at around 16Mbps down. And 0.8Mbps up on ADSL2+ profile. But after a day the connection starts to dropout.

I checked the link you provided for the SNR and Attenuation.
What is worrying is when I check my line status, the SNR rate is about 144 but the attenuation rate is...high, was surprised that my line was even connecting! The figures are over 100~

Will ask the ISP to check what the f is going on.

I'm still using ADSL filter/splitters, so this could also be the cause of problem, since VDSL has higher frequencies right?

DSL 2750u.jpg
DSL 2750u 2.jpg

Regards,
Key
 
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steel_dog

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what is worrying is when I check my line status, the SNR and attenuation rate was...sky high, was surprised that my line was even connecting! The figures are over 100~

...

I'm still using ADSL filter/splitters, so this could also be the cause of problem, since VDSL has higher frequencies right?
Re the line stats - what router are you using? The router you mentioned, the D-Link 2750u, isn't a VDSL router. You want a high SNR and a low Attenuation 0 . So if the 100's you mentioned is SNR then you're good. If it's attenuation then that's really bad.

Re the filters / splitters - they are still recommended for VDSL lines. What you can do to check if you have an issue is remove it and connect your modem directly to the line. It should sync. Check line stats after that. PS: Not all devices will sync tho. By way of example my Billion 8800NXL doesn't sync at all if I remove the splitter/filter. Weird. Haven't figured that out yet :).

EDIT: Sorry saw your screenshots now :)
SNR is good. Attenuation is not so good - however that might or might not have anything to do with your line. Your router is still running on an ADSL2+ profile. If your line is running on a VDSL profile you're going to have issues. I think the issues you're seeing relate to the mismatched router and line.
 
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keymaster

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Oct 24, 2008
Messages
200
Re the line stats - what router are you using? The router you mentioned, the D-Link 2750u, isn't a VDSL router. You want a high SNR and a low Attenuation 0 . So if the 100's you mentioned is SNR then you're good. If it's attenuation then that's really bad.

Re the filters / splitters - they are still recommended for VDSL lines. What you can do to check if you have an issue is remove it and connect your modem directly to the line. It should sync. Check line stats after that. PS: Not all devices will sync tho. By way of example my Billion 8800NXL doesn't sync at all if I remove the splitter/filter. Weird. Haven't figured that out yet :).

EDIT: Sorry saw your screenshots now :)
SNR is good. Attenuation is not so good - however that might or might not have anything to do with your line. Your router is still running on an ADSL2+ profile. If your line is running on a VDSL profile you're going to have issues. I think the issues you're seeing relate to the mismatched router and line.

Ah, yeah, my Modem router is connected directly to the telephone port at home, the splitter is for the house phone only.

Just ordered a Billion B-8800NXL router, so hopefully it will sort out the connection dropout problem I'm experiencing. But you say this router won't sync if directly plug to the telephone line? Quite weird...

Thanks SD

Regards,
Key
 

Mbadach

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Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
2
Vdsl billion 8800nxl no modem

Hi all thanks for all the info, I have a really silly question that I cannot get my head around. I understand that you get modems and routers in one and just routers which need a modem to get an internet connection. Today I upgraded to a 20 vdsl line with Mweb and went out and got a billion 8800nxl (I have a fon router but they are terrible and always drop wireless) when I got home I panicked as the billion is just a Router NOT a modem BUT when I plugged the rj11 in and setup etc it synced and works flawlessly???

Does the billion have a built in modem or does vdsl not need a modem or am I just very confused ?

Cheers

Marcus
 
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keymaster

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Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
200
Hi all thanks for all the info, I have a really silly question that I cannot get my head around. I understand that you get modems and routers in one and just routers which need a modem to get an internet connection. Today I upgraded to a 20 vdsl line with Mweb and went out and got a billion 8800nxl (I have a fon router but they are terrible and always drop wireless) when I got home I panicked as the billion is just a Router NOT a modem BUT when I plugged the rj11 in and setup etc it synced and works flawlessly???

Does the billion have a built in modem or does vdsl not need a modem or am I just very confused ?

Cheers

Marcus

Hi it is essentially a Modem router.

Btw, could you mind showing me how you manage to setup your VDSL? What is your Traffic type and what Mode are you on at the moment? And lastly what speed are you getting on speedtest?

Regards
Key
 

Mbadach

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Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
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Hi Key thanks for the quick reply I would have thought they would state modem on the product some where lol

At the moment it is literally plug and play to test if it worked or back to computer mania. I willful through all tomorrow and post here once done.
 
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