Important notes when upgrading to VDSL2 Modem Routers

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KOPITE

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Here is a list of combined VDSL2 Modem Routers which are available on the market.

If you are struggling with distance issues or wanting to upgrade your modem router for better stable speeds there are some research you have to do before choosing the best modem. See below some findings and reviews done.

In a nutshell, the chipset used for ADSL connections is an important criteria and the cable distance from nearest DSLAM exchange to the modem should determine what chipset/modem to use.

If your downlink Snr is low (<15), try broadcom/lantiq based modems.
If dslam exchange is near to your house (<2.5km cable length), trendchip based modems work best.
Lantiq based modems seem to work well on both long/short distance, sync quite high, but there are not many models to choose from, user reports aren't many but most people give good ratings.
If your downlink Snr is very low (<10), or you need to reset router frequently, definitely use broadcom.

Changing modems will not totally solve adsl connection problems, each scenario is unique and should be tackled from all angles (wiring, noise on line, network configuration, type of usage etc)

Many older modems from d-link are based on broadcom chipset, including some supplied by TM Streamyx, gives better stability based on my own experience.

Avoid stressing the modem with routing and wireless functions, even though the unit is sold as a wireless router. Configure modem as bridging modem, then install separate unit(s) for routing and|or wireless. Use the modem only to connect to ISP and do nothing else but maintain good sync.

If you use the modem as a router and/or wireless, under heavy load will over-heat or simply lock-up (hang!), especially if you do P2P or torrenting heavily.

P2P/torrents will require a modem with larger NAT table (higher RAM) due to simultaneous max connections.

My list below does not include high-end/expensive modem routers.

Common chipset manufacturer for adsl modems:

trendchip, works best < 2.5km cable length from exchange
buffalo wbmr-g54?
asusdlink dsl-n12u, combo ralink + trendchip
asusdlink dsl-n55u
buffalo wmbr-hp-gnv2, ralink + trendchip
tp-link td-w8968

broadcom, > 2.5km from exchange, better stability on internet connection, some models can tweak SNr via telnet of webgui
bcm6328
dlink dsl-2640u/nru/c4
dlink dsl-2640u/nru/cb4a
dlink dsl-2650u/nru/c
dlink dsl-2740u/nru/c5
dlink dsl-2750u/nru/c5 rj-11 cybermind $69
bcm6332
dlink dsl-2500u/bru/c/d/db
dlink dsl-2520u/bru/c/d
dlink dsl-2540u/bru/d
dlink dsl-520b-se
bcm6338
asus am604
asus wl-am602
asus wl-am604
dlink dsl-2300u
dlink dsl-2320b
dlink dsl-2500u
dlink dsl-2520u
dlink dsl-2540u/bru/c/cb
dlink dsl-2600u/bru/c
dlink dsl-2640u/bru/c/c2/cb
bcm6345
asus aam6010ev-m
asus aam6030vi-b1
bcm6348
asus am604g
dlink dsl-2640u/b/bru/d, I got 2640b from TM!
dlink dsl-2641b
dlink dsl-2642b
asus dsl-g31
linksys wag54gs
linksys wag54gx2
asus wl-600g
asus wl-am604g
bcm6358, same chipset as billion 7800n
buffalo wbmr-g300n
dlink dsl-2650b/bu/u/bru/d
dlink dsl-2740b/u/bru/c2
dlink dsl-2741b, ver. c2
dlink dsl-2760u/bru/d1/d2
dva-g3672b
huawei hg553
td-w8960n v1.0-1.6 bcm6358 bcm6301 32/4mb, same chip as billion 7800n
td-w8960n v1-v3 bcm6358, same chip as billion 7800n
thomson tg782t 64mb ram $20 ebay
netcomm nbw9maxx
2wire 2071a non-wireless
bcm6368
dlink dsl-6540u
dlink dsl-6740u
unknown broadcom chipset
netgear dgn2200 n300 adsl2+ ethernet 32/8mb $99, hw v1 support openwrt
archer d7
huawei hg644b 64/8mb, tm unifi router, no openwrt support, no vendor firmware
cisco/linksys x1000, lemon poor modem
cisco/linksys x3000
cisco/linksys x3500
netgear dgnd3700

lantiq, work well on both long/short distance, sync quite high, SNr cannot tweak
smc7908wbra ?
wbmr-hp-g300h adsl2+ gigabit 11bgn ram 64mb, flash 32mb, support openwrt fully but vlan bug?
tp-link td-w8970, td-8970b ram 64mb, flash 8mb, openwrt works but no wifi
tp-link td-w8980, td-w8980b, to gain vdsl feature, use td-w9980 firmware
tp-link td-w9980, td-w9980b, same hardware specs as td-w8980

ralink
tplink n150 adsl td-w8951nd, similar hw as tm modem riger db-120wl
tp-link td-w8961nd
asus dsl-n12u, combo ralink + trendchip
buffalo wmbr-hp-gnv2, ralink + trendchip

Related links
http://www.modem-help.co.uk/Broadcom/chipset.types/ (look for section xDSL CPE)
http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/start (show RAM info for some models)
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Broadcom#xDSL
Click to expand...

Comprehensive list of Make/Model/Chipset Modem Routers
http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php/topic,14436.0.html

Can we sticky this please MODS
 
Please post your brand router and line stats if possible for comparisons

Router - Make, Model chipset
Modulation - ADSL, ADSL2+, VDSL
Line stats - SNR & Attenuation
Distance from Exchange
 
Last edited:
Billion Bipac 8800NXL with Broadcom chipset
VDSL2
SNR Margin (dB) 22.9 12.7
Attenuation (dB) 11.0 0.0
Output Power (dBm) 13.8 -7.9
Attainable Rate (Kbps) 101652 6415
Rate (Kbps) 40956 3067
+-700m from exchange
 
Just bought an Asus DSL-AC52U one last week, so I'll post shortly, once its up.
 
Hi there,

Just got into the vDSL bandwagon recently, here my are details:

D-Link DSL-224 ( not sure on chipset )

DSL
Operational Status VDSL2 AnnexB
Upstream Speed 3071 kbps
Downstream Speed 40959 kbps

Stats are as follows:

Adsl Line Status SHOWTIME.
Adsl Mode VDSL2-17A AnnexB
Channel Mode Interleave
Up Stream 3071 kbps
Down Stream 40959 kbps
Attenuation Down Stream 21
Attenuation Up Stream 15
SNR Margin Down Stream 9.1
SNR Margin Up Stream 27.5
Vendor ID RETK
Firmware Version v134g113
CRC Errors 0
Up Stream BER 0e-7
Down Stream BER 0e-7
Up Output Power 3.5
Down Output Power 13.5
ES 0
SES 0
UAS 33

Less 400m from exchange

Cheers
D
 
DaDon said:
Hi there,

Just got into the vDSL bandwagon recently, here my are details:

D-Link DSL-224 ( not sure on chipset )

DSL
Operational Status VDSL2 AnnexB
Upstream Speed 3071 kbps
Downstream Speed 40959 kbps

Stats are as follows:

Adsl Line Status SHOWTIME.
Adsl Mode VDSL2-17A AnnexB
Channel Mode Interleave
Up Stream 3071 kbps
Down Stream 40959 kbps
Attenuation Down Stream 21
Attenuation Up Stream 15
SNR Margin Down Stream 9.1
SNR Margin Up Stream 27.5
Vendor ID RETK
Firmware Version v134g113
CRC Errors 0
Up Stream BER 0e-7
Down Stream BER 0e-7
Up Output Power 3.5
Down Output Power 13.5
ES 0
SES 0
UAS 33

Less 400m from exchange

Cheers
D
Click to expand...

You've got brilliant snr figures mate. Think you have a Broadcom chipset.
 
KOPITE said:
You've got brilliant snr figures mate. Think you have a Broadcom chipset.
Click to expand...

Yes he does. Less than 400m is very debatable with attenuation of 21dB but yes very very good SNR. I was on 22dB Attenuation and could not sync @ full 40Mbps speed only 38Mbps so very good stats there.
 
cavedog said:
Yes he does. Less than 400m is very debatable with attenuation of 21dB but yes very very good SNR. I was on 22dB Attenuation and could not sync @ full 40Mbps speed only 38Mbps so very good stats there.
Click to expand...

Different factors also plays a role, even though he's snr is brilliant, he's attenuation should be better according his snr. Could be bad copper or interference somewhere.
 
KOPITE said:
Different factors also plays a role, even though he's snr is brilliant, he's attenuation should be better according his snr. Could be bad copper or interference somewhere.
Click to expand...

21dB attenuation and 9.1dB SNR @ 40Mbps sync is not bad actually. HE might be 400m from the exchange but the cable is certainly longer than 400m
 
cavedog said:
21dB attenuation and 9.1dB SNR @ 40Mbps sync is not bad actually. HE might be 400m from the exchange but the cable is certainly longer than 400m
Click to expand...
Correct, what most people don't understand that the cable first run from their home to the nearest DP, from there it runs to the nearest SDC, then it runs via all man holes depending on the route to the exchange. You might be walking distance to the exchange, but it all depends on the other factors though
 
Quick question, if I'm on 20MB ADSL - do I need to call Telkom to change over to 20MB VDSL?
 
DaDon said:
Hi there,

Just got into the vDSL bandwagon recently, here my are details:

D-Link DSL-224 ( not sure on chipset )

DSL
Operational Status VDSL2 AnnexB
Upstream Speed 3071 kbps
Downstream Speed 40959 kbps

Stats are as follows:

Adsl Line Status SHOWTIME.
Adsl Mode VDSL2-17A AnnexB
Channel Mode Interleave
Up Stream 3071 kbps
Down Stream 40959 kbps
Attenuation Down Stream 21
Attenuation Up Stream 15
SNR Margin Down Stream 9.1
SNR Margin Up Stream 27.5
Vendor ID RETK
Firmware Version v134g113
CRC Errors 0
Up Stream BER 0e-7
Down Stream BER 0e-7
Up Output Power 3.5
Down Output Power 13.5
ES 0
SES 0
UAS 33

Less 400m from exchange

Cheers
D
Click to expand...

Nice just bought the same router, 20mps vdsl should be installed tomorrow.
 
xrapidx said:
Quick question, if I'm on 20MB ADSL - do I need to call Telkom to change over to 20MB VDSL?
Click to expand...

Yes but the advice I also give people if at all possible is don't call but contact them online, a lot of people don't know they have online support chat, I find the online chat and Twitter support people to be more on the ball than the phone support people.
 
Technicolor TG589vn v3

DSL Type: ITU-T G.993.2 Annex B (VDSL2)

Chipset Vendor ID (Local/Remote): BDCM / BDCM (Broadcom)

Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 2.047 / 22.526

Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 6,4 / 17,0

SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 26,0 / 30,3

Distance : ~1km
 
Last edited:
@ KOPITE,

Excellent piece of research.

Fully support you on keeping the Modem/Router terminating an ADSL line as simple as possible, and setting in bridge mode instead.

Improves performance, easier to undertake fault finding tests, and has security advantages as well.

I use a second router for my LAN and AP's for wireless, with a really simple ADSL modem, and have always had excellent performance out of my ADSL line that way.

Using AP's gives one much better control of Wi-Fi performance with more than one AP instead of trying to use one for a complete home.
 
Last edited:
AsusN66.jpg

Asus DSL-N66U
Not sure of chipset
Distance - 1.9km
 
Last edited:
Alien0 said:
View attachment 401421

Not sure of chipset
Distance - 1.9km
Click to expand...

Something majorly wrong with your line, contact Telkom and tell them your phone is extremely noisy, don't even mention the internet to them, once they send someone out you can tell him your internet is also really slow and you can show him your line stats, he will know what's up.
 
Thanks for the confirmation....Will get them to come out hopefully soon
 
Alien0 said:
Thanks for the confirmation....Will get them to come out hopefully soon
Click to expand...

Yes line fault not distance issue. Line fault that a technician needs to come out and fix. Too much noise on the line and there shouldn't be with 11.4dB attenuation down.
 
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