[WXC/VFX] WAG54GP2

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › [WXC/VFX] WAG54GP2

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#18119 28-Dec-2007 12:39

Greetings all,

I am going to set up my parents with broadband and voice (with xnet/vfx obviously) soon, however just have a question about hardware. From doing a bit of reading here and at xnet I presume the WAG54 would be the device for them, but would like to know what they need at the computer end to receive the wireless data? They need wireless as the phone jack is in a different room to the computer.

I am a Mac user (converted a couple of years ago and never looked back) so am a bit out of touch with PC wireless gear. I am looking at ordering the WAG online soon in anticipation of the 7th Jan rollout of NDSL and want to get all the hardware at the same time.

I will also probably go for the voice package myself, I don't need wireless so I just need the PAP2T to plug into my existing ADSL modem?

Also, for info of the Xnet rep's I see on this board, I enquired at a Richard Smith store in Invercargill a couple of months ago about all of this VFX business and they no idea about any of it, when I quoted the model number as recommended on the xnet site I was met with blank looks. On informing them about their partnership with Xnet I received more blank stares and a finger pointing to the wall advertising their three broadband partners (none of them being xnet). I then dialled up the xnet site on one of their shop computers and showed them the yellow logo with Dick's head on the xnet front page, this had them completely flummoxed and promises of looking into the matter.

And as an aside I think the xnet hardware page could do with a bit of work i.e. more info, as I have found it very difficult to sort out which piece of kit I need for various applications. Other than that I have nothing but praise for the xnet product/service - top marks. More than I can say for my previous ISP who I gave the sling a couple of months ago and am glad to be shot of them.

Cheers and thanks for your help

Steve

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#102040 28-Dec-2007 13:20

Hi there Steve,

Firstly -- welcome to Geekzone

If you order a WAG54GP2V2 it should be all you need for the ADSL and VoIP connections -- note the V2 at the end which is the current model.

Agreed, a WiFi connection is likely to be the simplest option in your case, so long as the house isn't huge, with the WAG54 way up one end, and your parents' PC at the other. WiFi is also not good for gaming (due to added latency) but that probably isn't any concern either.

If your parents have a laptop, then it most likely has WiFi built in unless it is a very low-end model. In that case, order a WiFi card to plug in to the slot which is probably PCMCIA. Alternatively, you can get a USB to WiFi adaptor, but we didn't have a good experience with those because eventually the USB connectors on my wife's laptop wore out; first one, then the other which made it more-or-less useless. The WiFi adaptor with its trailing cable was also an inconvenience when shifting the laptop around the house.

If your parents have a desktop PC, then a USB to WiFi adaptor will be the simplest solution as it saves having to open up the case and install a PCI card. With a desktop PC, the USB to WiFi adaptor can probably be left plugged in, so there won't be any issue with the connector wearing out.

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Grant.

r33ks

75 posts

Master Geek

#102042 28-Dec-2007 13:33

Hi There.

Not sure if you are discussing a laptop or desktop. I am guessing a desktop.

If you wanted to stick with linksys equipment, I would suggest you look at either the internal PCI Wireless Adaptor (WMP54G) which is $129 @ DSE or the USB wireless adaptor (WUSB54GC) which is $79 @ DSE

Obviously there are other brands out there, and as a basic rule I would suggest you would want to be looking for the following;

1) It supports 802.11g wireless standard
2) It supports WPA encryption. WEP is better than nothing, but can easily be broken.
3) It's at a price point that you are happy with.
4) If it's WiFi certified that's a bonus as well.

I personally prefer the PCI cards rather than the USB adaptors as they are physically installed onto the inside of the computer, and unlikely to be bumped off etc. But it's a personal thing.

Lurch

1061 posts

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#102056 28-Dec-2007 14:18

Why pay $129 for a WMP54G? You can pick one of those up for around $59, http://c1com.co.nz/shop/step1.php?number=4129

If you dont want to stay with Linksys you can pick up a Cameo for $31 http://c1com.co.nz/shop/step1.php?number=5261 which will do the same job.

The WUSB54GC goes for $56.. http://c1com.co.nz/shop/step1.php?number=7713 But of course there are cheaper options that are just as good.

Be sure to always checkout http://www.pricespy.co.nz :)

If it's a desktop I would recommend a PCI card over a USB connector I find them far more stable. If you're not keen on pulling the PC apart then just go USB.

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#102064 28-Dec-2007 14:55

Hey thanks very much to Grant, r33 and Lurch for your quick and detailed replies.

Now at least I know what I'm looking for and yes it's a desktop and I don't mind popping the case to install to a PCI slot.

Will probably go with one of those from C1 shopping.

They are actually bringing an old(er) ADSL modem with them (they are moving back from across the ditch) so I could make use of that with the WRTP54G-AU

Would people recommend this option or stick with the all in one WAG54GP2V2?

Not sure what type/model the other modem is as it (and the computer) are still in a container on a ship somewhere.

Thanks again.

Lurch

1061 posts

Uber Geek

#102067 28-Dec-2007 15:04

I prefer the all in one, less cables/devices and easier to support if something goes wrong. Plus with the newer ADSL router once ADSL2+ has been sorted out they can then start using it without changing anything.

kfella2000

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#102071 28-Dec-2007 15:59

A bit unusual your local DSE store not knowing anything about Xnet VFX as I would say nearly all stores would have some of the equipment used in VFX. I could understand an area where VFX has not been introduced but it is well established in the Invercargill area.

maverick

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WorldxChange

#102072 28-Dec-2007 16:01

howduz1: Hey thanks very much to Grant, r33 and Lurch for your quick and detailed replies.

Now at least I know what I'm looking for and yes it's a desktop and I don't mind popping the case to install to a PCI slot.

Will probably go with one of those from C1 shopping.

They are actually bringing an old(er) ADSL modem with them (they are moving back from across the ditch) so I could make use of that with the WRTP54G-AU

Would people recommend this option or stick with the all in one WAG54GP2V2?

Not sure what type/model the other modem is as it (and the computer) are still in a container on a ship somewhere.

Thanks again.

If they have the wrtp54g, this is a model we support so they should be okay with that behind an adsl router if you want to save costs & go for a lower cost one, otherwise the wag54gp2v2 is okay as an option

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

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richms

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Lifetime subscriber

#102084 28-Dec-2007 17:09

PCI cards in desktop computers get crap reception with the antenna being just a few mm away from the computer case.

You can get desktop stands which connect to the antenna socket on the card and let you lift the antenna away from the metalwork. Well worth if if your signal is marginal. Or turn the computer around so the antenna is facing towards the accesspoint.

Richard rich.ms

Niel

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#102108 28-Dec-2007 19:10

WAG54GP2V2 is a good all-in-one solution. As far as I know, it is only the V2 that ever got labelled as VFX preconfigured, so if the box is not labelled as VFX then it is probably V2 but might be old stock v1 which had problems.

I'm using a WRTP54G and a Dynalink modem. Also works well.

One or two years ago I had to play with WiFi for a project (I'm and electronic engineer) and had nothing but trouble with USB adapters. They suck a lot of power and you almost can not use them on an unpowered hub. I would recommend an internal card for the PC even if you find you need to add an extension lead to mount the antenna higher. But that should not be necessary. My wife's laptop has an internal antenna and she can happily access the network from 15m away through a number of walls.

Personally I would try and lay a network cable. I can see a clear performance difference when using my wife's $6000 laptop for browsing (the only laptop certified for SolidWorks, she is a mechanical engineer). The latency means that it takes longer to acknowledge received data and to request more data. Actual download speed is not really affected, but browsing is definitely.

I try and avoid DSE at all cost, as most of their stuff is overpriced even though I have a trade card. Recommend you go to www.pricespy.co.nz to find a good price.

You can never have enough Volvos!

cisconz

cisconz
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#102131 28-Dec-2007 22:08

kfella2000: A bit unusual your local DSE store not knowing anything about Xnet VFX as I would say nearly all stores would have some of the equipment used in VFX. I could understand an area where VFX has not been introduced but it is well established in the Invercargill area.

I Used to work for DSE. Considering the training we were given on VoIP (none italk and xnet just turned up one day) I am not surprised. i knew about them because I had a personal intrest in them. Maybe this should be taken up between xnet and the "XH" buyer at DSE.
The reason xnet is not on the broadband display is because Xtra, Orcon, Slingshot, Vodafone and Ihug all paid for it. Also staff at DSE can sign customers up to internet connections from those providers but not for xnet.

Hmmmm

privy

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#102151 29-Dec-2007 06:36

I'm about to purchase a WAG54GP2v2 myself as I'm about to make the jump to broadband with xnet getting installed on the 3rd of Jan. Would this modem/router be suitable for gaming in which case I'd just use the non-wireless access points for gaming? Thanks in advance for any advice.

By the way OCZone seems to have the lowest price for WAG54GP2v2 at $196.83:
http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_9321.html


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Niel

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#102154 29-Dec-2007 08:33

privy:

Would this modem/router be suitable for gaming in which case I'd just use the non-wireless access points for gaming?

By the way OCZone seems to have the lowest price for WAG54GP2v2 at $196.83:

1) I can not give an accurate comment on this, but somewhere I have read that the all-in-one device is trying to do too much and apparently it is better to get the WRTP54G and an external modem. I do not know how much (if any) difference it makes, especially on our slow Internet access (3km from Pakuranga exchange running ADSL2+ profile => 3.7Mbps), but it is something I've read somewhere.

2) XNet was the first BB ISP I've signed up with, and will stay with them for a long time. Did the switch in April '07. In the process I was also searching for VFX devices, and every time I saw OCZone was the best priced. I ended up buying it off TradeMe and got screwed, the guy used his grandfather's account and sold me a WRTP instead of WAG, but I found his address and "blackmailed" him into sending me a modem as well.

(If anyone wants to swap his WAG54GP2V2 for a WRTP54G, please contact me. I can throw in a good RTA1320 or cash.)

You can never have enough Volvos!

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#102256 30-Dec-2007 10:03

Just one other quick question regarding the WAG54GP2V2 - do you need to put a line filter at the front end of it?

Cheers

grant_k

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#102259 30-Dec-2007 10:11

howduz1: Just one other quick question regarding the WAG54GP2V2 - do you need to put a line filter at the front end of it?

Not for Naked DSL, no -- a filter is not necessary.

But DO make absolutely sure that there are NO phones, fax machines, Sky Decoder etc plugged into the old jackpoints and preferably disconnect all jackpoints from the line, leaving just the one which has your ADSL modem plugged into it.

Griven

174 posts

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#102380 31-Dec-2007 12:29

Neil,

personally i would use the RTA1320 into the WRT54 over a WAG54. Ive found the WAG54's DSL modem not to be as good as the Dynalink offerings. I've yet to find a all in 1 unit that performs as well as a ethernet modem into a decent router. The RTA1320 seems to stand up extremely well in NZ conditions and with the WRT handling the routing side of things should provide the best of btoh worlds.

Nicholas Cuc

Network Support
WorldxChange Communications
www.xnet.co.nz

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