Modems and routers

bizmark · 02-08-2003 11:05pm #1

Ok

as broadband is taken off (god bless esat utv and netsources) more and more people will need to know about good solid modems/routers

so this sticky is for that reasion.If you post here please try and inclued the following

1.Name and make of modem/router
2.Price (try and add vat and delivery charge if needed)
3.is it easy to use/set up (and remember where not all Dsl techs)
4.Name of shop or address of web site you bought it from
5.Your general comments on the modem/router

Please remember this isnt a debateing post just general info

conZ · 03-08-2003 6:24pm

I would have taught soild modem's wouldnt work.

blorg · 07-08-2003 2:17pm

Netgear DG824MUK ADSL Wireless Gateway Router with 4 x 10/100Mbps Switch
Currently €203.65 Incl. VAT

This is the wireless access point, router and modem all in one. Elara were cheaper than any of the English websites that I checked out when I bought this.

Very easy to use, basically just plugged it in, filled in the settings, and I was online. The only slight complication was setting up WEP as it only allows 'passphrase' or direct HEX entry of keys (e.g. no ASCII key entry).

blorg · 07-08-2003 2:28pm

Other modem/router experiences:

SMC Barricade ADSL router - absolutely impossible, didn't get anywhere with it at all. It is possible that the router was broken, the reset button wasn't behaving as expected.

Zxytel USB modem (supplied with Netsource) - completely automatic, they supply a customised CD with all the settings filled in. Very easy for anyone.

3Com OfficeConnect Wireless Cable/DSL 3CRWE52196-ME (UK)
Currently 108.76_inc. VAT + around 12-13 shipping
This router was very very easy to use and configure, but I never actually used it with DSL (it needs a seperate ethernet modem).

El_MUERkO · 07-08-2003 6:24pm

Q-Tec 584AA combo DSL modem/router.

€130

I have had no problems setting it up, wire it up to your network card, set the default gateway to 10.0.0.2 and browse into it to setup.

Marx Computer's in Clontarf, Dublin.

I havent done much with it,other than turn it on, connect and leave it on. The longest its been on for without being turned off is 5 days straight, it heats up but never overheats. I have 3 computers networked thru it so far so good.

From Q-Tec FAQ on the 584AA
Can this product be used for networkplaying with Sony PlayStation 2 or Microsoft X-Box? Yes

Praetorian · 09-08-2003 11:56pm

Is the Netgear DG824MUK the best modem / access point / switch combination available?

zep · 10-08-2003 6:19pm

SMC Barricade Turbo Wireless 22 Mbps
802.11b+, 256-bit WEP, 3-port switch
EUR 99.00 inc. VAT
From: Komplett.ie
Rgds,
Zepb

blorg · 11-08-2003 10:32am

Praetorian,

I'm certainly very happy with it, if you need the wireless functionality. I think there is a general consensus that it works better than the D-Link option.

The SMC Barricade mentioned by Zep is at a very good price, you should just bear in mind that you will need a seperate ethernet ADSL modem.

Praetorian · 11-08-2003 10:47am

Thanks Blorg. I've just ordered two of them

po0k · 11-08-2003 6:16pm

Originally posted by Praetorian
Is the Netgear DG824MUK the best modem / access point / switch combination available?

Cisco

halenger · 14-08-2003 4:17pm

I'm sure Cisco are absolutely fantastic... if you wanna spend that amount of money!!

The Netgear one looks pretty nice alright. I think I'll be getting it. Wouldn't have minded if it was 802.11g tho. But it'll be grand.

What exactly is the complication you were refering to blorg?

What wireless card are you using? Netgear's MA521 from Elara or is there something better/cheaper that I should know of?

blorg · 14-08-2003 4:39pm

WEP keys can be specified in a number of different ways, (generally passphrase, ASCII, or hexadecimal) although at the end of the day they are 40 or 104 bit binary numbers (+ a 24 bit component that is not user-modifiable). The difference between passphrase and ASCII is that while with ASCII entry you are specifying the actual key exactly, with passphrase the key is generated for you from the passphrase.

Obviously you have to get the WEP key into every device on the network and it would be nice if you could use the same format to do this. The Netgear supports direct hex entry or passphrase but doesn't support ASCII. Windows XP and Pocket PC support direct hex or ASCII. It's more of a hassle to type in a 104 bit hex number than a simple 13 character ASCII code. Especially on a PDA!

It's a very minor issue that would not stop me reccomending the Netgear wholeheartedly.

I'm using a Sony Vaio laptop and a Toshiba PDA, both with built-in WiFi, and they work absolutely fine. I got a SMC PC Card for €36 from Komplett.ie for my girlfriend's laptop. Haven't tried it out yet but SMC are a good brand and it should be fine.

BenII · 16-08-2003 4:47am

if you get broadband inet coming in with a normal ethernet lan cable (eg cable modem) all u need is the cheapest 10mbps (not even 100mbps needed as even broadband ain't that fast

) hub u can find and a few network cables, and tada u got a completly connected home with as many pcs on the network as ur hub has ports

if u can't find those old hubs anywhere for whatever reason. (i am sure u can pick em up for under 10euros somewhere) www.komplett.ie is usually cheaper than most pc component stores in ireland but prolly will only sell new equipment which is more expensive ofc.
i personally don't see the reason for buying new age routers and so on unless they're wireless as they don't give you any advantage over older (cheaper) ones, with current broadband speeds

halenger · 16-08-2003 10:18am

Originally posted by BenII
if you get broadband inet coming in with a normal ethernet lan cable

But you don't! Broadband is an RJ-11 cable-normal phone line. It's not an ethernet cable.

Anyhow my reasoning for getting a new age gizmo is cause:
A) I want wireless

I want a faster network - I already have a 10mb hub but I'd prefer a 100mb switch
C) It looks nice! :-p

A hub is all well and good but a switch is far better. Even a 10mb switch would be a lot better than my 10mb hub.

Quorthon · 20-08-2003 6:26pm

Blorg/Praetorian

Has anyone any experience with the DG814 - I have seen good reviews of it although the "firewall" aspect gets a bit of slagging

Anyway afaics it is the same as the 824 except no wireless functionality - i dont need this as i want to run 3 pc's max and they are not very spreadout - elara have it for just €139 inc vat which seems like a bit of a bargain.

Anyone got any thoughts here?

Regs

Q

BenII · 26-08-2003 6:30am

Originally posted by halenger
But you don't! Broadband is an RJ-11 cable-normal phone line. It's not an ethernet cable.

Anyhow my reasoning for getting a new age gizmo is cause:
A) I want wireless
I want a faster network - I already have a 10mb hub but I'd prefer a 100mb switch
C) It looks nice! :-p

A hub is all well and good but a switch is far better. Even a 10mb switch would be a lot better than my 10mb hub.

ye sry about that i meant to say "ie. cable modem" not "eg. cable modem"
normal dsl/adsl does come over normal phone line yeh.
however i don't see the reason to buy a switch unless u wanna connect a whole office to it, the speed increase over a hub is noticeable but minimal. and yes i agree, i have 100mbps ethernet cards/hub aswell because 10mbps is just too slow to transfer large amounts of data between the pcs. broadband speed is not increased in any way through it though

Praetorian · 26-08-2003 9:25am

I've only experience with the DG824M. I bought two. One works perfectly and the other doesn't. Elara better change it for me today, as I was already waiting a week for delivery.

halenger · 28-08-2003 11:58am

Ah yeah I know that broadband wont be incresed in speed but my network is faaar too slooooow!

And since I have the opportunity to get a router/switch/modem/wireless package I may as well! I've not seen and with a hub instead of a switch. Switches seem to be getting cheaper and more popular.

m1ke · 28-08-2003 12:14pm

1.Name and make of modem/router
DSL Dlink 504 modem+router combo

2.Price (try and add vat and delivery charge if needed)
160 euro inc vat and delivery from peats

3.is it easy to use/set up (and remember where not all Dsl techs)
Very, very easy

4.Name of shop or address of web site you bought it from
Peats.ie

5.Your general comments on the modem/router
Excellent router, 4 ports on it, easy to use and administrate would recommend it to anyone.

GerardKeating · 28-08-2003 12:24pm

Originally posted by m1ke
1.Name and make of modem/router
DSL Dlink 504 modem+router combo

2.Price (try and add vat and delivery charge if needed)
160 euro inc vat and delivery from peats

The ex-VAT price is â‚¬147.93
(â‚¬179.00 inc. VAT)

Delivery is extra

Same model from Elara

is â‚¬116.13 Excl VAT
â‚¬140.51 Incl. VAT.

â‚¬40 cheaper

BigEejit · 08-09-2003 12:52pm

Originally posted by Quorthon
Has anyone any experience with the DG814 - I have seen good reviews of it although the "firewall" aspect gets a bit of slagging

Ive got one ... have absolutely no problems at all with it ...as for the firewall .. it works fine, none of the online scanners make a dent in it ... you will however need to get a software firewall to stop data going out from each puter ....
I'm using netsource btw....

Spud_Gun · 09-09-2003 9:20am

I month or so ago I bought a Thomson/Alcatel Speedtouch 510 V4 modem/router. I chose this as its recommended by MS for Xbox Live and its also sold by Eircom. This seemed to me to be a good common denominator. It cost me about 150 Euro to buy and with it I got the modem/router, power pack, software and 2 UK ADSL filters.

The router is specifically tailored for a PPPoA connection which BT BB provide, and it takes a little bit of editing of the config file to get it working on a PPPoE connection.

Another great advantage of the Speedtouch is the Telnet interface, and the fact that its fully customisable firewall, NAT, MER, to name but a few.

On the negative side, the documentation could do with a little more padding. The CLI (Command Line Interface) manual is comprehensive, but the User Guide is lacking in trouble shooting information. Also, the Alcatel/Thomson hotline is based in the UK and is a premium number, and as a result it cannot be contacted from outside the UK. That said, they do have an online support form that can be filled out and their response times are very good.

Overall I am very happy with this piece of hardware. I had problems with my IOL connection dropping at random intervals with the IOL USB modem. My connection hasn't dropped once while connected to the Speedtouch. Says a lot about IOL's hardware. The Speedtouch may take a bit of tweaking to get up and running, and once its working you won't be disappointed.

Coolermaster · 10-09-2003 11:03am

Anyone know when the 11g router is available here in ireland ?
It is already on sale in US. I couldn't care less about the 11g througput but am interested in getting a better wireless range.

I am getting ADSL installed in a week so don't want to buy now and find out in a few days a new product out.

blorg · 10-09-2003 11:28am

You shouldn't get a better range from 11g than 11b - it should be approx the same range as 11b (but better range than 11a).

PeteD · 10-09-2003 7:58pm

The story with modems/routers so far

Tested on Netsource SOHO and Eircom istream enhanced.

(1)BT Voyager Wireless 2000 www.bt.com/voyager
Didn't work with netsource or eircom.
Syncs up to the exchange OK but cant authenticate.
Notified BT Tech Support of the problem, still waiting response.

(2)SMC Barricade Wireless ADSL Router SMC7404WBRA
Didn't work with netsource or eircom.
when the modem syncs up to the exchange the router hangs.
Contacted SMC tech support, there is a known issue with Eircom istream packages, awaiting further response.
I had two of these, I thought the first one was faulty.

(3)Netgear DG814
Works great, looks a bit silly like a silver flying saucer.

I want a good solid modem, with wireless and ideas ?

butts · 13-09-2003 1:45pm

1. Equipment: D-Link DSL-300G+ ADSL modem, Netgear WGR614 wireless router, WG511 PC Card

2. Price: Total €284 inc VAT and delivery

3. Setup: IP address for both modem and router is the same 192.168.0.1. To get around this, change IP on router to something like 10.0.0.1. Also as the modem remembers MAC address of network card it initially plugged into, your best off setting up the router first (including changing its IP), then connecting modem to the router and configuring it through the router i.e. setting up details of your DSL account on the modem. Knowing this in advance, it took me about 10 minutes to setup network and get connected to the net. However, wireless access took a while longer. PC Card is advertised as working with Windows 98. Tried many suggestions but could not get the Card to work with Windows 98 first edition. Had no problem getting it to work with Windows 98 SE.

4. Supplier: Basewireless.net - happy with service.

5. General Comments: Range and speed is good inside house despite the very thick walls (its an old house). Outside the house signal strength is patchy. Moving just a few feet can result in signal been dropped - reading comments made in other forums I see that other users also experience this sensitivity. Have had the kit a few weeks at this stage and overall am very happy with it. Btw, I'm using IOL Broadband.

chill · 16-09-2003 5:56pm

SMC Networks 'Barricade' 2 Port Router with built in ADSL modem: Built in Firewall, USB and Ethrenet connection. Supports up to 253 users.

168 euros incl VAT and installation.

Works great with NetSource

Robbo · 17-09-2003 1:16pm

Just bought me a Netgear DG824M from Amazon along with two MA401 Netgear wireless PCMCIA cards for the two laptops at home.

It looks stylish and was reasonably easy to set up (aside from me spending half an hour fiddling with a supposed DNS problem when in fact I'd made a typo, doh) and does the trick. I just went straight out from the start and replaced the firmware (went from version 1.2 to 1.4 release 5) because I'd read elsewhere that the earlier versions were a bit prone to screw ups.

I'm with Netsource (512/128 RADSL) and downloads are about 55K/sec with pings in the 20-30 bracket.

Wireless reception is pretty good. The router has a little (15 cm) aerial poking up from the back and it seems to do the trick. I can wander all around the house (we have thick walls as well, because that's the way they built then in the 1870s...), I can wander around *most* of the garden as well, shame the weather in this country means I can do that about 3 times a year...

Jokah · 18-09-2003 11:32am

US Robotics USB Sureconnect Modem from Elara. 85 euro.

No problems at all...:D

With Netsource RADSL and downloads are consistent. Im happy.

De Rebel · 31-10-2003 1:57pm

Originally posted by Robbo
Just bought me a Netgear DG824M from Amazon along with two MA401 Netgear wireless PCMCIA cards for the two laptops at home.

Wireless reception is pretty good. The router has a little (15 cm) aerial poking up from the back and it seems to do the trick. I can wander all around the house (we have thick walls as well, because that's the way they built then in the 1870s...), I can wander around *most* of the garden as well, shame the weather in this country means I can do that about 3 times a year...

I use the newer USB MA111 rather than the PCMIA in laptops. More flexible (can also be used in desktops). Configurations is ok, had a few issues the first time. Works fine since.

The_Scary_Man · 19-11-2003 4:08pm

I'm looking for the cheapest solution possible for hooking up my x-box and pc to an Eircom Residential adsl line. Has anyone any experience with this type of router - Sunsway/ST Lab Broadband Gateway router w/4-port10/100 switch UK or am I better off forking out another couple of quid to be on the safe side?

blorg · 19-11-2003 5:03pm

That doesn't have an ADSL modem in it; you would have to get a separate Ethernet ADSL modem. You would be better off getting one with a built-in Ethernet modem (which although they have recently put in a category Komplett don’t sell for some strange reason) – try www.elara.ie. They are much more expensive than what you have there, but a separate Ethernet ADSL modem would add around €100 to that cost by itself.

The_Scary_Man · 19-11-2003 5:14pm

Will I not get an ethernet modem with the eircom line install pack?

blorg · 19-11-2003 5:19pm

No, standard is a USB modem, which won't work (AFAIK) with the XBox.

The_Scary_Man · 19-11-2003 5:21pm

Cheers Blorg.

Ripwave · 21-11-2003 7:59pm

Originally posted by blorg
No, standard is a USB modem, which won't work (AFAIK) with the XBox.

That's a load of cobblers, Blorg.

eircom starter includes a Netopia Cayman, which has both a USB and Ethernet port, and it's actually possible to plug your PC into the USB port, and the XBox into the ethernet port, and use them both at the same time.

(This information is posted a couple of times a week in this board. I hardly ever bother to read the "sticky" threads, and I don't think many other people do either, or this would have been corrected earlier. I've PMed scary_man, hopefully he'll get it before he wastes his money.

blorg · 22-11-2003 11:27am

My apologies, I thought the modem was USB only like most of the other RADSL offerings.

NeoSlicerZ · 24-11-2003 5:17pm

Guys, there wouldn't be by any chance a adsl modem/router that has both wireless and ethernet?

blorg · 24-11-2003 5:24pm

There are several. I have a Netgear DG824M which I bought from www.elara.ie and am very happy with. D-Link also make a popular model. These are both 802.11b. I don't think anyone is making an integrated 802.11g model yet (I may be corrected) but that is overkill for internet sharing in any case.

GEO147 · 04-12-2003 12:18pm

I have NTL broadband which comes with a cable/DSL modem which works fine with one XBOX to go on-line. The problem begins when I try to split the signal to another XBOX. I thought that since the modem is cable in and ethernet out which plugs straight into the back of the XBOX all I needed was a good router and as such went out and bought a DLINK604+ which set me back € 235.00.

But because I have no PC at home to configure the router this was a total waste of time and money as I just keep getting a DNS error message on both XBOXs.

What I need is some advice on what to do in this situation. I think a simpler solution is what is needed but I dont know what that solution is. If anyone knows what equiptment is needed I would appreciate their advice as the only other solution to the problem is to get another line from NTL which they would be more than happy to supply to the tune of an extra € 40.00 per month.

So to recap: one NTL b/b line, two XBOXES (with live subscriptions),but no PC how the hell do you do it?????

Thanks in advance to anyone with the solution or any good advice.

Cheers.

blorg · 04-12-2003 1:28pm

I think you'll need to find a friend with a PC. You only need access to the PC to configure these things once, you can then unplug them, bring them home, leave them alone and use it with your two XBOXes happily ever after. I think that D-Link has a web-based configuration interface so you don't even have to install any software on the PC you are configuring it from.

AFAIK that router has a DHCP sever, and the XBOXes will take their IP/gateway/DNS information from that - so you just need to get the router working OK with a PC and then it should also work OK with the XBOXes.

Ripwave · 04-12-2003 1:30pm

Originally posted by GEO147
IBut because I have no PC at home to configure the router this was a total waste of time and money as I just keep getting a DNS error message on both XBOXs. /B]

Have you considered either borrowing a laptop, or even bringing the router around to a friends house (or into work) and using their PC to configure the router?

It'll be easier if you borrow a PC or laptop (is there no broser available for the XBox?), so that you'll be able to check what you did wrong if it doesn't work.

I don't know of any home routers that aren't configured through a web browser. (Some of them also support a telnet interface, but the support and documentation is usually non-existent).

GEO147 · 04-12-2003 2:18pm

Thanks for your reply's guys.

I did bring the router into work and gave it to the IT guy to have a look at and he gave it back to me saying it should work but it didnt. I could try what you guys have suggested but im not sure as to how it should be configured.

Does it not need a PC to be hooked up to it all the time?

Could the fact that it is a complex router be causing problems ie. firewalls and the like.?

Is there not a more simplistic way to split the line.?

I wish I was an IT technician!

Cheers.

blorg · 04-12-2003 2:33pm

You should be set up like this:

Cable connection --> Cable Modem
Cable Modem --> Router (WAN PORT)
Router (LAN PORT) --> XBOX 1
Router (LAN PORT) --> XBOX 2

Unfortunately it is difficult to diagnose problems if you don't have a PC there to play with the configuration and see what the router is doing (borrowing a laptop would be your best bet as Ripwave suggests). It's also generally more complex if your router is in a seperate box to the cable modem - the key problem is that you don't know *where* the failure is occuring (e.g. in what box or interface). If you can access the router through a browser, it should have diagnostics that let you test whether the router itself is correctly connected to the internet (if so then the problem is further down the line, in the connection to the XBOXes, if not, you know what you have to fix).

You don't need a PC hooked up all the time, only to get it going. Once it is going it will look after itself. For example, I can get on the internet with my PDA through my router fine, even if all the computers are off.

GEO147 · 04-12-2003 2:54pm

The router that i got is an ADSL which I subsequently found out I didnt have, but it should still do the job should'nt it.

Would I be better off changing it for a cable/DSL modem/router all in one if such a thing exists?

Does it really matter whether the cables used are straight/crossover.

And finally even if I did get the whole thing running smooth do you think it would suffer from a bad case of lag if the two consoles were running on-line at once.?

Thanks for all your help on this matter.

Ripwave · 04-12-2003 3:09pm

Originally posted by GEO147
The router that i got is an ADSL which I subsequently found out I didnt have, but it should still do the job should'nt it.

Oops - you have a 604+. I got that mixed up with the 614+ when I read your note.

The 604+ won't work for you on a cable connection - the WAN port is a DSL "modem", so you can't plug your cable modem into it.

Would I be better off changing it for a cable/DSL modem/router all in one if such a thing exists?

No, you already have a cable modem presenting an ethernet connection - you just want a bog standard "broadband router". They're often referred to as Cable/DSL routers. The DLink DI-614+ would be pretty much the equivalent of the 604+ that you already have, except that it doesn't have a build in modem, so it will plug into any ethernet connection, whether from a cable, dsl or wireless BB provider.

Does it really matter whether the cables used are straight/crossover.

If you need straight through cables, you can't use cross-over. if you need cross-over cables, you can't use straight through. (The cable's between your X-Box and the router will always be straight through. The router will come with whichever cable is appropriate for connecting to your broadband "modem", though it will usually be a straight through).

And finally even if I did get the whole thing running smooth do you think it would suffer from a bad case of lag if the two consoles were running on-line at once.?

No. You could probably stick 5 or 10 XBoxes on your connection.

GEO147 · 04-12-2003 3:31pm

Thanks a lot Ripwave you have been a great help.

So what you are telling me is that im having problems because im plugging a modem into a modem and that the 614+ would definately work as it has none.?

Would I still need to configure it through a PC or would the Automatic detection thingy work properly with that unit.?

And your saying no slow down even though these games are so advanced and they are speech enabled and the graphics are so good.?

ps.
If this works out I owe you a pint.

Cheers.

blorg · 04-12-2003 3:44pm

As Ripwave says, you can't use it at all if it is a DSL modem - send it back, or otherwise you should be able to sell it easily enough on boards. Komplett have broadband routers from around €40 AFAIK (I'm presuming you would have no use for wireless if you just have two XBOXes).

GEO147 · 04-12-2003 4:50pm

I bought that 604+ in Peats and they said they have a D-LINK300G which would do the job. Does this have the auto setup that the 604+ had does anyone know.

blorg · 04-12-2003 5:05pm

AFAIK the 300G is an ADSL modem, so no, it won't do what you need! If Peats told you that the 604+ would work with your NTL cable connection, make them take it back and refund you, as it won't work.

You can get what you need much cheaper from www.komplett.ie, www.elara.ie or www.marx-computers.com. Komplett have broadband routers starting at €40, with a SMC Barricade (good brand) under €60.

Marx have a broadband router for €60 also, although I haven't heard of the brand. Advantage of Marx is that they are a physical shop in Dublin and might provide support; I've never actually bought anything (other than CDs) from them myself however.

GEO147 · 04-12-2003 5:33pm

Thanks Blorg, both you and Ripwave are gentlemen.