Alternative PPPoE routers

Has anybody here tried any alternative routers for their VDSL?

As far as I can tell, any router that supports PPPoE will work with the VDSL modem (and not all ISPs give you a router with your connection like BT does).

What's the cheapest? What's the best? etc.

Personally, I'm looking for a router that has a 4-port gigabit Ethernet switch built in and Wireless-N. But also under £100 (less if possible). Any suggestions?

The Airport Extreme Base Station is a fantastic router for FTTC/FTTP and Apple currently has some refurbished units for sale (under £100)

http://store.apple.com/uk/search?find=airport+extrem...

This one looks promising, but I can't find if anybody has successfully linked it up to VDSL:
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/products/wireless/...

In reply to a post by Dash:

This one looks promising, but I can't find if anybody has successfully linked it up to VDSL:
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/products/wireless/...

According to your link, that product has:

Built-in 4-port 10/100 Auto-Sensing Switch

The Zyxel can be had for around £75 and has the features you are looking for..

The VDSL part is totally irrelevant, so long as the device has Ethernet WAN port, and supports PPPoE it should work.

Be wary of too cheap, as these may not have the processor power to cope with routing 40Meg (or more as FTTC gets faster)

Well spotted, it was this one (wrong copy & paste):
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/products/wireless/...

Many of Draytek's routers offer PPPoE on their Ethernet port, check the list here that support Ethernet:

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/comparison.html

Personally I can recommend the 2820 and 2920.

I have been using the D-Link DIR-655 with my FTTC connection for the past 2 months. I have had no issues whatsoever.

Edited by maniac886 (Thu 09-Dec-10 15:02:46)

I haven't got a bad word to say about the Apple Airport Extreme, love it!

I've been using a Linksys/Cisco WRT320N without any problems. The newer E2000 is now out and can be had for under £70 from BroadBandBuyer

Only disadvantage is that it is a single wireless N band, so either 2.4GHz or 5GHz. If you want dual band, that is both at the same time then the E3000 is £107.16 + P&P

Probably worth having a look at this chart to check WAN to LAN routing performance

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts

The EnGenies ESR-9850 looks like a good bet for performance vs price. Just not massively available by the looks of things.

I originally used a Netgear WGR614 as supplied by IDNet but to be honest it was awful so I swapped to a Linksys WRT320N which has been excellent and didn't cost a fortune - WRT320N

So I guess my Cisco 1811W router will work fine. I _can_ configure it for PPPoE over one of the two Ethernet WAN ports.

On related note, what do BT Infinity actually provide? Is it just a VDSL modem, or a modem and router "combined" in one box, or seprate modem and router?

I'm asking because I'm considering dumping my Virgin Media 50Mbps service, since they appear unable or unwilling to sort out the problems I'm having with it, i.e. I think they are managing HTTP traffic and not admitting it, while leaving other traffic (e.g. FTP) alone.

-ChrisSW

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

On related note, what do BT Infinity actually provide? Is it just a VDSL modem, or a modem and router "combined" in one box, or seprate modem and router?

Openreach supply a VDSL modem on all FTTC installations. I believe you are not allowed to replace it.

This has an ethernet output as you already know. BT Broadband "Infinity" comes with a "cable" version of the Home Hub to connect via ethernet to the Openreach modem.

I don't think any other of the Openreach FTTC suppliers include a router, but I think several can provide one at a charge.

In reply to a post by griff_90:

I originally used a Netgear WGR614 as supplied by IDNet but to be honest it was awful

What was awful about it ?