Your opinion needed on Comtel Product

[User217]

Guys,

I have been nagotiating with Comtel for wireless internet access. I have a TP Link N750 Dual Band Router to which my entire home network is connected. The router is not ADSL capable and I therefore have a seperate modem for that, also connected to the router.

Besides the cost for the installation and equipment, they also want me to buy a Microtek wireless modem at a price of R1200. When I asked why this was needed, they told me that I must have the Microtek modem as it is the only modem they can access remotely when things goes wrong. They cannot access TP Link routers remotely.

Needless to say, this immediately send red lights flashing! I don`t have anything to hide, but I don`t want anyone to snoop around my network either! What happens when an angry employee leaves the company? He takes that knowledge on how to access Comtel clients networks with him!

If I am paranoid, then please tell me, but no ADSL ISP I hav ever been, needed to access my modem remotely, so why should it be needed now?

Kind Regars,

 

[nomdeplume]

Typically you buy your own ADSL modem, setup your own password, and by default remote access is disabled. So you are independent of the ISP. Some ISP's supply you the ADSL modem with their password and remote access enabled to provide support on the unit. That is what Comtel is asking you for.

You could ask them for admin rights and reduce them to read only but imagine that would work against their model as they would need to ask you to do upgrades or change any settings. So they might decline.

You could connect the Mikrotik router to your TP-Link and firewall the connection. So even if they ever did open ports on the Mikrotik to try access your network they would not be able to.

My opinion is you do not have to worry as like you said you do not have anything to hide, and am sure they have better things to do than try hack your network.

 

[rpdii]

Our of interest sake - what Model Mikrotik?

Guys,

I have been nagotiating with Comtel for wireless internet access. I have a TP Link N750 Dual Band Router to which my entire home network is connected. The router is not ADSL capable and I therefore have a seperate modem for that, also connected to the router.

Besides the cost for the installation and equipment, they also want me to buy a Microtek wireless modem at a price of R1200. When I asked why this was needed, they told me that I must have the Microtek modem as it is the only modem they can access remotely when things goes wrong. They cannot access TP Link routers remotely.

Needless to say, this immediately send red lights flashing! I don`t have anything to hide, but I don`t want anyone to snoop around my network either! What happens when an angry employee leaves the company? He takes that knowledge on how to access Comtel clients networks with him!

If I am paranoid, then please tell me, but no ADSL ISP I hav ever been, needed to access my modem remotely, so why should it be needed now?

Kind Regars,

 

[lived666]

Sounds a bit much for the wireless router which you don't need as you already own one and their standard install came with the non wireless router.

I was quoted with their standard non wireless router as part of the install and an extra R500 for their wireless (not R1200) but I just hooked up my wireless TP link to their router.

 

[User217]

Thank you for all your insights, guys! I really appreciate it!

Grandmaster, I was not aware of the non-wireless option. I will ask them about it.

Nondeplume, Firewalling the connection sounds like the best solution. I will go this way.

rpdii, Mikortek is a type of router. Have a look here: http://www.mikrotik.com/.

Regards,
Nico Visagie