seperate router and dsl modem?

Hi All,

I've been using draytek routers for ages now but having *finally* got BT to move me onto a different copper pair (I was on 60dB attentuation, struggling to get 1.5Mb sync and sporadic bursts of frequent loss of sync, I'm now on 42dB attenutation with 4Mb sync!) I'm still seeing more loss of sync events than I'd like so want to swap the router/modem to make sure that's not the problem.

Now, this is where I'd like to, if it's a good idea, try something different. I need a least 6 ethernet ports (I currently have a little netgear bridge in one of the draytek's ethernet sockets) so most adsl routers don't seem to cut it. It'd also be really useful to try different modems around loss-of-sync events without having to take down the router all my decides are attached to. So my plan is to get:

- a decent 8 port router

- a decent adsl modem that presents an ethernet socket and can plug into the router

What do people recommend for this?

from the router I need:
- nat
- firewall
- any other "nice to have features"

from the adsl router I just need as stable and fast a connection as is possible ;-)

Both of them live in my loft which can get quite toasty, so anything that survives better in hot temps would be a nice to have...

Any other suggestions welcome!

Chris :-)

For an 8 port pure router you will probably need to look at business routers which carry a price premium.
For consumer equipment you probably have no real choice at all.

I'd just stick to ADSL Router + Switch it sounds like you just need to try a more tolerant ADSL Router.

Netgear DG834GT, Speedtouch 585 , 2wire models, Zyxel 600 series all pretty good with noisy lines.
When does your sync go? Mornings, Evenings, completely random?

Note for information If going for Modem + Router + Switch (which IMO is not really necessary in your situation unless you have specific requirements) you need either

o ATMoETH ADSL (unauthenticated connection - Be/O2 LLU)
o PPPoE ADSL (varies depending on Exchange or ISP)
o PPPoA ADSL and an ADSL modem/router that can do a half bridge connection (ie Authenticate PPPoA at the modem )
o PPPoA ADSL and an ADSL modem/router that can pass Public IP and all traffic to one device (DMZ mode)

sync is completely random but often seems to happen in clusters over a several hour period (ie: dropping sync for 10s-5mins 10-20 times on one day and then stabel for 2-3 weeks)

I'm considering trying either a Netgear FVG318 or a Linksys RV082 as the router and either a Netgear DM111P or a Draytek Vigor 110 as the modem.

Do people have any views on these?

In particular, does anyone know if the port forwarding on the FVG318 or the Linksys RV082 is as flexible as that on the Draytek Vigor 2800?

cheers,

Chris

Can't comment on the other points, but Drayteks 110 does use a different chip (Infineon) to their 2800 (Connexant) which has a poor reputation on bad lines. If you are looking for a firewall with 8 ports you're getting into the corporate stuff with corporate prices.

If you're using a separate modem, better to go with a Draytek 2910 or, (say) a Zyxel 2 plus for the firewall and get a cheap Linksys switch to fill the gap. If cost is a factor, stick with a straight modem/router. Zyxel 600 series (AR7 based) have a good rep; I use one on a poor line and haven't had any major probs, although to be fair the sync speed may be a touch lower than others. OTOH this could be the firmware trading speed for stability. Support is, or certainly was, good.

In reply to:

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Both of them live in my loft which can get quite toasty, so anything that survives better in hot temps would be a nice to have...

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Hi, a loft space can get mightily HOT in the summer time� My recommendation use a 3Com 3CRWDR101A-75 ADSL2/2+ router with a 3Com 3CGSU08 8-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch and you can still connect up your Netgear bridge.

Note: a feature of the 3Com 3CRWDR101A-75 router, it has large ventilation slots for cooling.
(The illustration is the earlier 3Com 3CRWDR100A-72 router).

Also (here) and (here).

Will your ISP supply you a block of static IP addresses? This increase the amount of modem devices available.

Most pure ADSL modems which work with single IP address accounts and PPPoA are cheap not so great products