Which ADSL Router? (Multiple ISP accounts)

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RiOT

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Hi all... Let me start off by stating that I know this will not be the first time this topic is covered, but I've been searching the forums for the past two hours and read multiple responses on the topic, and even as a techie can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for.

Here's the issue: I have one of the oldest ADSL router/modems known to mankind. All it has on the box is "ADSL Router Pots" and a telkom logo. Anyway, it's a.) on it's way out and b.) doesn't appear to support the infrastructure setup I'd like. So, I'm ready to buy a replacement ADSL router, but I'm not sure what to go for. I'm partial to Linksys as a brand, but don't mind trying others like Belkin, etc. I'm also not sure whether this "new?" Wireless N or ADSL 2+ should be considered in the purchase, or where they play a role?

Anyway, here's the main issue I have: I would like to be able to simultaneously run 1 primary ISP account within the router (i.e. configure the username/pwd in the firmware) and still have the option to dial in with different a second (or third) ISP account via Windows PPPoE client, without these interfering with each other. I've read about "half-bridge" and "full-bridge" modes which may be what I'm looking for?

I'd like to be able to set up something like the following:

1. Wii console, MvixPVR and Cellphone which require direct wireless internet connectivity (router to hold isp account)
2. PC used to download "large files" on another dedicated ISP account.
3. Two more laptops which will dial in using windows client on yet another ISP account.

Any recommendation on wireless ADSL router that will support such a config?

Thanks a mil in advance.
 
I won't recommend Netgear as you have to change a lot of settings to get it in half-bridge mode and you have to do it all over again each time you restart the router.

I think the D-Link 2640 can do what you want to.
 
Yup, the D-Link 2640 can definitely do half-bridge mode. There are a bunch of other routers that can do it too. I'm pretty sure most ADSL routers are capable of doing it, but the trouble is configuring them to do so... like with the NetGear routers you have to run a script encoded into a URL :(
Alternatively you could simply use your current cheap ADSL router/modem and configure it for bridging mode. Then get a second Wireless B/G (or N) broadband (not ADSL) router to do the traffic splitting for you.
You might want to consider buying a router capable of running DD-WRT firmware - then you can use Gatecrasher's script to split the traffic nicely across multiple accounts. His scripts cater for splitting international & local traffic and allow you to have auxilary/additional accounts too, like unshaped accounts used for gaming/VPN purposes.
The cheapest wireless router that supports the DD-WRT normal build firmware would be the Asus wl-520gu wireless router for less than R500.

Just note that:
  • you don't have to get a router that can run DD-WRT firmware.
  • DD-WRT firmware isn't available for ADSL routers. Its purely meant for broadband/ethernet routers
  • DD-WRT standard firmware doesn't support PPPoE passthrough like you would want for #3
Like I'm splitting the traffic with a Ubiquity Nanostation 5. Other people went as far as buying a Mikrotik RouterBoard750 just to split/manage their traffic.

Here's a whole page dedicated to traffic splitting: http://developers.locality.co.za/splitting
 
get a billion 400g router mine was setup already to dial up pppoe accounts in half bridge mode
 
Hi all,
Thanks so much for all the reponse and links. I'll be sure to follow up on them.
Unfortunately, I had some plumbers out here last night to fix my geyser, and one of them shorted the thing due to not switching the power off first and it caused a surge that blew my existing router. This necessitated a new one urgently, and at the time (before reading these replies) the best I though I could get my hands on was the NetGear DGN2000, so that's what I'm currently sitting with.
It took me the better part of an hour to get the settings all working just for a standard internet connection, but at least now my internet is back (whew!).
It has an option in the firmware setup called PPPoE passthrough, which from the description in the help sounds like what I was looking for, but I haven't actually tested it yet. Will try let you know if it does.
If not, I'll still consider getting another modem/router at some stage and keep this one as a backup.

Thanks Again!
 
PPPoE passthrough would allow you to utilize the router in a "half-bridge" mode, where both the router & PC's can dial accounts simultaneously.
Without PPPoE passthrough, you have to set the router in "bridging" mode for your PC's to be able to dial PPPoE connections.
 
Thanks again... Yup, it seems to be working exactly as I had expected (and hoped) :-)
I can dial out using a specified connection from a PC AND the modem has it's own dedicated connection, so devices such as the WII/PVR console that don't have a username/pwd option can finally also connect to the internet :-)

The last test I'm busy doing is just to confirm that the account I'm dialing out on the PC with is definately utilizing THAT bandwidth, and not the account on the modem, or both for that matter (if I'm making any sense?).

Thanks again for all the feedback peeps!

Cheers.
 
RioT, it would certainly only use 1 account. So you just have to establish which account its using...

Using 'tracert' command on your PC would tell you if its using the account on the router or not. It would show 192.168.1.1 (or whatever your router's IP is) for the first hop if its using the account on the router.

eg. start -> run -> tracert www.aardvark.co.za
 
Thanks Pada :-)

Tracert from my machine via wireless directly to the router, no win client login:
1 6 ms <1 ms 1 ms 192.168.0.1

Tracert at the same time from my server using a winclient PPPoE passthrough session:
1 473 ms 461 ms 496 ms 196-210-140-1-rrdg-esr-2.dynamic.isadsl.co.za [196.210.140.1]


I've also double checked by keeping an eye on the bandwidth usage for both accounts, and it's working like a bomb! :-)

I've been trying to do this for months, and it's just been my crappy telkom router thats been holding me back all the time. Just as well it blew!

Cheers, and thanks for all the help.
 
Vox Modem

Hi guys, I have the vox adsl modem. It does not support bridging so now I am unable to run multiple accounts. I am no techie and will appreciate if someone could advise whether I am wasting my time even trying.
 
Just set up a PPPoE account and dial it. You can do that with the VOX adsl modem - I think it might be in half bridge already. I am using routesentry with my vox phone.
 
RiOT said:
This necessitated a new one urgently, and at the time (before reading these replies) the best I though I could get my hands on was the NetGear DGN2000, so that's what I'm currently sitting with.
Click to expand...

I also ended up taking theNetgear DGN2000. Little expensive but wireless N and buttons for switching wireless on&off etc.

I was actually hoping for a ADSL2+ Wireless N Gigabit router &maybe vertical stand (less stuff on desk, less power socket/wires)
but they cost an arm and a leg...

PS. Thanks to matewis & vangend I saved bucks with the closer 1 and self install! [Now where are the MyBB beer 'Smilies']
I was also very surprised by Telkom. Applied 28nov all done 7des.
 
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This is a very old thread, Hope you clever guys can help me out. I have a Billion 400G router. In order for me to have a 4meg line i must have a telkom dsl contract. Recently i got a new isp (openweb) with uncapped, unshapped account, but only during offpeak hours. Seeing that i must pay for the telkom bandwitdh i want to use my telkom dsl account during the day and my openweb account after hours. Is it possible to set my router up to do this??

Your help will be appreciated
 
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