Best ADSL router for my needs

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getafix33

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I am in the process of getting ADSL and am looking for a router/modem

I plan of installing ClearOS as my firewall as I have a tenant who will also be accessing my connection plus I have two kids who I need to "protect" as best as I can.

What adsl router/modem do you suggest. It needs to be able to operate in bridge mode as far as I understand.

I prefer Netgear but am open to options.

Any suggestions?
 
I would suggest a separate modem and switch if you are going to be using a firewall solution like ClearOS.

Maybe get a simple modem like this one: http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=1_55_57&products_id=736

And then a gigabit switch to handle the internal network connectivity. Add a wireless AP if necessary.


I would suggest you also look at Smoothwall as a firewall solution. I tried basically all of these firewall options a few months ago and Smoothwall was the pick out of the lot, just note that a few of these Firewall distros require that you install them from a CD and a USB flash drive install simply doesn't work.

Good luck.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
I would suggest a separate modem and switch if you are going to be using a firewall solution like ClearOS.

Maybe get a simple modem like this one: http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=1_55_57&products_id=736

And then a gigabit switch to handle the internal network connectivity. Add a wireless AP if necessary.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with the above. Not much point in getting a featureful modem/router/ap, if you are just going to bypass most of its functionality and have a separate firewall.

In particular, any wireless connections going through the modem/router/ap would be on the wrong side of the firewall!
 
getafix33 said:
I am in the process of getting ADSL and am looking for a router/modem

I plan of installing ClearOS as my firewall as I have a tenant who will also be accessing my connection plus I have two kids who I need to "protect" as best as I can.

What adsl router/modem do you suggest. It needs to be able to operate in bridge mode as far as I understand.

I prefer Netgear but am open to options.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Might be worth considering getting a cheap ADSL modem and a mikrotik router to use as the firewall. Best thing I ever bought, has loads of functionality.

Combo that I'm using @ home is:
http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=100_119&products_id=1360
http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=1179
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
I would suggest a separate modem and switch if you are going to be using a firewall solution like ClearOS.

Maybe get a simple modem like this one: http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=1_55_57&products_id=736

And then a gigabit switch to handle the internal network connectivity. Add a wireless AP if necessary.


I would suggest you also look at Smoothwall as a firewall solution. I tried basically all of these firewall options a few months ago and Smoothwall was the pick out of the lot, just note that a few of these Firewall distros require that you install them from a CD and a USB flash drive install simply doesn't work.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Sorry forgot to mention that I have a 24 port gigabit switch for my network as well as an D-link AP for wifi connectivity. Will look at your link.
 
getafix33 said:
Sorry forgot to mention that I have a 24 port gigabit switch for my network as well as an D-link AP for wifi connectivity. Will look at your link.
Click to expand...

You're almost set then :)

Also look at the options blunt proposed above, I am also using that exact modem and it may be a better option as it is only a modem and has no routing options like the TP-Link one. The Mikrotik is also a very good option.
 
getafix33 said:
My big question is that is it possible to prevent torrent downloads?

Anybody looked at this. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Gufw
Click to expand...

You can never really block anything (without negatively affecting other crucial services), there is always a way around it. You can however use QoS to deprioritize p2p (and other) traffic so that it is not completely blocked but doesn't affect your overall network performance. I would suggest this route because if you completely block it the person will just look for a way around it whereas if it's slow you just blame it on the internet.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
I would suggest a separate modem and switch if you are going to be using a firewall solution like ClearOS.

Maybe get a simple modem like this one: http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=1_55_57&products_id=736

/snip
Click to expand...

Doc, I have had bad experiences with TP-Link - in particular the MR3420 and have lost faith in their products. That however, is a router and you referred to a modem. How good are their modems? Or should I just skip it and go for what blunt saud?

blunt said:
Might be worth considering getting a cheap ADSL modem and a mikrotik router to use as the firewall. Best thing I ever bought, has loads of functionality.

Combo that I'm using @ home is:
http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=100_119&products_id=1360
http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=1179
Click to expand...

In the link for the modem, they mentioned "ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+". Can you or anyone please explain the differences?
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
You can never really block anything (without negatively affecting other crucial services), there is always a way around it. You can however use QoS to deprioritize p2p (and other) traffic so that it is not completely blocked but doesn't affect your overall network performance. I would suggest this route because if you completely block it the person will just look for a way around it whereas if it's slow you just blame it on the internet.
Click to expand...

That is a good approach. Is there a way to all torrent protocols to only be available at certain hours - say like midnight to 8am for example. Or is that also a mission?
 
OGroteKoning said:
Doc, I have had bad experiences with TP-Link - in particular the MR3420 and have lost faith in their products. That however, is a router and you referred to a modem. How good are their modems? Or should I just skip it and go for what blunt saud?



In the link for the modem, they mentioned "ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+". Can you or anyone please explain the differences?
Click to expand...

I have used three different TP-Link products (1 wifi router, 1 gigabit switch and 1 ADSL/Wifi router) now and they all perform very well. Maybe the one you bought is just one of those dud models, it happens. I would however recommend that Tenda modem that blunt recommended as I am using one of those too and it hasn't given me a days trouble.
 
OGroteKoning said:
In the link for the modem, they mentioned "ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+". Can you or anyone please explain the differences?
Click to expand...

as far as I know it's just the progression of the adsl connection protocol, depending on how your DSLAM can connect you - i think the newer protocols support higher speeds
 
I think that I will use Smoothwall and restrict via IP/user. Restrict their bandwidth etc. Will ask them to schedule any torrents for late at night.
 
Hi There,
I would go with DrJohn and Blunts suggestions especially the Microtik. It will give you a lot more flexibility.
Not tried any of the torrentdownloading inhibitors suggested and would be interested in the result.
I would certainly follow DrJohn on the QoS for the p2p traffic and tie it up so you get very little through between 7am and midnight and then open it up after that.

Regards

Tim
 
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