Reply to: ADSL Wireless Router recommendations.

[css_jay99]

Netgear DGN3500

Ive been using the DG834N for last 4 years and its been excellent with no issues.

Ive now decided to go for wireless n since my dell Latitude has an intel 5300 wireless n card, so hopefully amazon will deliver the Netgear DGN3500 today/tomorrow

can anyone with Netgear DGN3500 coment on its stability.

cheers

css_jay99

[Fred Bloggs]

TBH, it seems for every recommendation for a particular router \ modem, there is another slagging it off! Makes selecting a new one very difficult.

I've currently got a Netgear DG834N. I cant say its tulipe but I cant say its good. All I can say is its very frustrating.

So, a nice new shiny Linksys WAG160 v2 sits in its box ready to be installed at the weekend. Then I think I'll smash the DG834N to ******* pieces!

I agree, it is difficult. You need to buy or borrow one and try it, that's the only way. My DG834N was rubbish though. I tried two other Netgears too. All were rubbish on my bad line.

[Fred Bloggs]

Yes, thanks!

I have taken plunge and ordered a Thomson 546 and a Belkin router - anything HAS to be better than what my Netgear is doing to me right now!!!!!!!

Good luck. I found Netgears to be next to useless on poor lines. Connection would drop every few minutes. others swear by them though! Same with Draytek, mine simply wouldn't synchronise. Draytek support said- "Oh, they all do that on poor lines". WTF!!!!!

[BolshieBastard]

I would recommend two routers: Linksys (Cisco) and THomson.

However, replacing your old router with the new one is not enough.

First you have to understand the set of protocols involved.

At Layer 1, you have any of the DSL flavours (ADSL1, ADSL2, ADSL2+, VDSL2), commonly ADSL2+

At Layer 2, you have ATM/RFC1483.

And on top of that, you have PPP (either PPPoverATM or PPPoverEthernet), which is a protocol that needs credentials (usually supplied by your ISP).

So, in short, you must configure your new router with:

-WAN mode, can be PPPoA or PPPoE usually
-VC/VP, something like 8/48
-PPP credentials, username and password

If you don't configure that, your DSL will sync, but no traffic will pass. Namely, no Internet.

Now, you can use your ISP router as PPP termination device and attach a new router to one of the Ethernet ports.

The new router must be configured in WAN mode = bridged. And here you can also setup wireless.

Something like this:

ISP ---------DSL-----------ROUTER1----------ROUTER2-----------PC

TBH, it seems for every recommendation for a particular router \ modem, there is another slagging it off! Makes selecting a new one very difficult.

I've currently got a Netgear DG834N. I cant say its tulipe but I cant say its good. All I can say is its very frustrating.

So, a nice new shiny Linksys WAG160 v2 sits in its box ready to be installed at the weekend. Then I think I'll smash the DG834N to ******* pieces!

[MysteryMan]

I agree it IS confusing. The Thomson I use is an ADSL MODEM not a modem/router. I have plugged a wireless device from Belkin into the single LAN port on the back of the Thomson modem. The Belkin device gives me 4x LAN ports and WiFi. The Belkin device does not have a modem built into it. Hope that helps.

Yes, thanks!

I have taken plunge and ordered a Thomson 546 and a Belkin router - anything HAS to be better than what my Netgear is doing to me right now!!!!!!!

[Fred Bloggs]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but, it reflects a lot of issues I am having and I think that trying one of these modems is something I should do!

However, I am a bit hazy on networking and hope someone can help me out.

If I get one of these Thomson units then this will enable me to get an ADSL signal and connect a PC via ethernet cable.

I also need wi-fi capability and to attach a Homeplug. Would I be able to connect the Thomson to an existing router/modem I have (Netgear DG834) and then use the wi-fi and extra ports on the Netgear to do what I need?

Will the ADSL signal be passed on to the Netgear so that it can distribute to other PC's?

Thanks!

I agree it IS confusing. The Thomson I use is an ADSL MODEM not a modem/router. I have plugged a wireless device from Belkin into the single LAN port on the back of the Thomson modem. The Belkin device gives me 4x LAN ports and WiFi. The Belkin device does not have a modem built into it. Hope that helps.

[MysteryMan]

I would recommend two routers: Linksys (Cisco) and THomson.

However, replacing your old router with the new one is not enough.

First you have to understand the set of protocols involved.

At Layer 1, you have any of the DSL flavours (ADSL1, ADSL2, ADSL2+, VDSL2), commonly ADSL2+

At Layer 2, you have ATM/RFC1483.

And on top of that, you have PPP (either PPPoverATM or PPPoverEthernet), which is a protocol that needs credentials (usually supplied by your ISP).

So, in short, you must configure your new router with:

-WAN mode, can be PPPoA or PPPoE usually
-VC/VP, something like 8/48
-PPP credentials, username and password

If you don't configure that, your DSL will sync, but no traffic will pass. Namely, no Internet.

Now, you can use your ISP router as PPP termination device and attach a new router to one of the Ethernet ports.

The new router must be configured in WAN mode = bridged. And here you can also setup wireless.

Something like this:

ISP ---------DSL-----------ROUTER1----------ROUTER2-----------PC

Many thanks for info - most useful!!!!

[markinbrussels]

I would recommend two routers: Linksys (Cisco) and THomson.

However, replacing your old router with the new one is not enough.

First you have to understand the set of protocols involved.

At Layer 1, you have any of the DSL flavours (ADSL1, ADSL2, ADSL2+, VDSL2), commonly ADSL2+

At Layer 2, you have ATM/RFC1483.

And on top of that, you have PPP (either PPPoverATM or PPPoverEthernet), which is a protocol that needs credentials (usually supplied by your ISP).

So, in short, you must configure your new router with:

-WAN mode, can be PPPoA or PPPoE usually
-VC/VP, something like 8/48
-PPP credentials, username and password

If you don't configure that, your DSL will sync, but no traffic will pass. Namely, no Internet.

Now, you can use your ISP router as PPP termination device and attach a new router to one of the Ethernet ports.

The new router must be configured in WAN mode = bridged. And here you can also setup wireless.

Something like this:

ISP ---------DSL-----------ROUTER1----------ROUTER2-----------PC

[MysteryMan]

Seriously, I've had all these issues. I've tried the Drayteks, Netgears etc... None worked reliably, the Draytek not at all. You owe it to yourself to get one of these, for £25 you have very little to lose. It hangs onto a bad BT line like glue.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but, it reflects a lot of issues I am having and I think that trying one of these modems is something I should do!

However, I am a bit hazy on networking and hope someone can help me out.

If I get one of these Thomson units then this will enable me to get an ADSL signal and connect a PC via ethernet cable.

I also need wi-fi capability and to attach a Homeplug. Would I be able to connect the Thomson to an existing router/modem I have (Netgear DG834) and then use the wi-fi and extra ports on the Netgear to do what I need?

Will the ADSL signal be passed on to the Netgear so that it can distribute to other PC's?

Thanks!

[doodab]

You what!?

I didnt ask anyone to solve my ISP problem. I asked for recommendations for other routers. Why dont you go back to my original post and read it properly instead of now saying 'why are you asking people what to buy to solve the problem'?

I have answered questions people asked about the ISP out of courtesy. You're even going on now about sync rate SNR etc when the subject is ROUTERS!

I did read it, and I know what you asked. Unfortunately given your requirements:

Now I dont want to pay over 100 quid for a new router so what are people's recommendations, please?

Must be

wireless N
BT line compatible (not cable ie Virgin)
dual band (2.4 and 5Ghz)
not more than 100 quid
broadcom chipset
reliable

you don't have a great deal of choice. There simply aren't many cheap all-in-one boxes with dual band wireless N and adsl2+ modems.

Of course it's my mistake for thinking the problems you are having are the reason you want a new router.

[BolshieBastard]

Well, it quite probably is a supplier problem, and you've clealy come to that conclusion yourself, why are you asking people what to buy to solve the problem?

FWIW, the router you have has a broadcom chipset in it so that's unlikely to make a huge difference.

What is your sync rate, signal/noise ratio and so on? Are you on a 21CN ADSL+ connection?

You what!?

I didnt ask anyone to solve my ISP problem. I asked for recommendations for other routers. Why dont you go back to my original post and read it properly instead of now saying 'why are you asking people what to buy to solve the problem'?

I have answered questions people asked about the ISP out of courtesy. You're even going on now about sync rate SNR etc when the subject is ROUTERS!

[doodab]

Well, it quite probably is a supplier problem, and you've clealy come to that conclusion yourself, why are you asking people what to buy to solve the problem?

FWIW, the router you have has a broadcom chipset in it so that's unlikely to make a huge difference.

What is your sync rate, signal/noise ratio and so on? Are you on a 21CN ADSL+ connection?

[BolshieBastard]

Yes, I know, the thing is, I have had terrible ADSL trouble ever since we first had broadband internet years ago. I was so happy to actually find a modem that hangs onto the grim BT line like glue, that I hooked it up to one of these for wireless- Belkin Router that has also been flawless in operation.

Yes but, my line hasnt been crap for ages. My connection has only been crap since ADSL24 migrated their service from Enta to murphx, hence why I consider the supplier (murphx) are the problem.

Have you updated your router to the latest firmware?

Forgive me but, this is all basic stuff.

The router has been running the latest firmware ie v15 for at least 18 months. So, its been running this firmware under the ISP's previous and current supplier. This is one of the reasons why Im convinced its supplier side and not my side.

[doodab]

Have you updated your router to the latest firmware?

[Fred Bloggs]

Thanks. The 536 appears to have been superseded by the 546. However, unless Im mistaken, this isnt wireless (isnt mentioned anywhere on any advert I found for the router).

Yes, I know, the thing is, I have had terrible ADSL trouble ever since we first had broadband internet years ago. I was so happy to actually find a modem that hangs onto the grim BT line like glue, that I hooked it up to one of these for wireless- Belkin Router that has also been flawless in operation.