Replacement for D-Link ADSL modem/router

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Replacement for D-Link ADSL modem/router

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#147418 18-Jun-2014 17:38

Can anyone recommend an entry level replacement for an old D-Link ADSL router (502T I think?)

It often drops connection overnight. So, open to any suggestions.

Something that just works (stable - long uptime).

TIA.

PeterReader

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#1068707 18-Jun-2014 17:38

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

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sbiddle

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#1068737 18-Jun-2014 17:56

What are your requirements?

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1068744 18-Jun-2014 18:04

If you don't want to spend much money, just buy a Dynalink RTA1320E or 1320V6 off trademe (the black ones, the white ones have overheating problems). Not very flash, but stable as anything and should be able to get one for under $5 now.

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1068753 18-Jun-2014 18:27

sbiddle: What are your requirements?

Something that performs as a solid/stable ADSL modem/router basically. Gigabit LAN ports would be nice - guessing that's reasonably standard nowadays? There's no port-forwarding or VPN pass through requirements.

The existing DLink feeds a wireless router and a 16 (or 24 I can't recall) Cisco switch.

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1068777 18-Jun-2014 18:53

michaelt: If you don't want to spend much money, just buy a Dynalink RTA1320E or 1320V6 off trademe (the black ones, the white ones have overheating problems). Not very flash, but stable as anything and should be able to get one for under $5 now.

Thanks. Purchasing would be for a new router. Anything like the above but available for new?

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1068783 18-Jun-2014 19:09

If you don't have any specific requirements, have you considering asking your ISP for one? If you've been with them for a while they might give you a new one for free. You get the benefit of support then if you still have problems with your connection.

Otherwise, for stability Draytek is usually the recommended brand and Asus is a good option as well. Most of the products on the market these days aren't too bad actually.

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1068821 18-Jun-2014 20:00

michaelt: If you don't have any specific requirements, have you considering asking your ISP for one? If you've been with them for a while they might give you a new one for free. You get the benefit of support then if you still have problems with your connection.

Yes. Funny you should mention that. The account is a TNZ business one, and the account manager isn't particularly helpful. It's been with TNZ for years. Would change to VF if they could - too busy at the moment to chase it up.

michaelt: Otherwise, for stability Draytek is usually the recommended brand and Asus is a good option as well. Most of the products on the market these days aren't too bad actually.

Cheers.

scuwp

3764 posts

Uber Geek

#1068846 18-Jun-2014 20:27

Go Asus, something like this if it is in your price bracket. http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MODAS0550&qr=qpjune

But as mentioned already just about anything off the shelf will be fine, and waaaaay better than your old D-Link (I wouldn't ever by D-Link again FWIW)

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity - Robert J Hanlon

Ragnor

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#1069261 19-Jun-2014 15:26

zaptor:

The existing DLink feeds a wireless router and a 16 (or 24 I can't recall) Cisco switch.

What make/model is the existing wifi router? Is the wifi router doing the NAT/DHCP or is the Dlink or both? I think the old 502T's had half bridge, is it using that currently?

Basically if all the devices in your network are after the wifi router and the wifi router is decent just get a Draytek Vigor 120 to replace the DLink, configure it in PPPoA to PPPoA relay and use PPPoE for the WAN in the wifi router to avoid double NAT.

farcus

1455 posts

Uber Geek

#1069263 19-Jun-2014 15:29

zaptor: Can anyone recommend an entry level replacement for an old D-Link ADSL router (502T I think?)

It often drops connection overnight. So, open to any suggestions.

Something that just works (stable - long uptime).

TIA.

this would be a significant step up from your old D-Link and is going cheap at pbtech at the moment.

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MODTPL8960&name=TP-Link-TD-W8960N-300M-Wireless-N-All-In-One-ADSL2

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1069322 19-Jun-2014 16:19

Thanks all for the recommendations.

However, I've since discovered we have a spare NB304N we can use.

quickymart

11237 posts

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#1069515 19-Jun-2014 19:19

Netcomm are very good, I have an NF4V that I'm using with my VDSL connection and it's awesome. Been using them since purchasing my first Dynalink ADSL router in 2006.

Darquel

43 posts

Geek

#1069673 20-Jun-2014 01:08

It often drops connection overnight. So, open to any suggestions.

Something that just works (stable - long uptime).

Problem is in the router. I had the same router supplied by TelecomNZ moons ago, and the disconnections would only arise when the router had too many concurrent connections connected to it.

I've since then moved onto a Belkin N600DB (which I would not recommend) but was far superior to the D-link 502T simply because the connection was stable.

Currently having more problems with another Telecom-supplied modem (Huawei HG630b) with the connectivity to the internet on the ethernet ports....maybe there's a trend somewhere? :3