[WXC/VFX] Time for a new VFX modem/router?

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › [WXC/VFX] Time for a new VFX modem/router?

Lizard1977

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#86768 13-Jul-2011 09:15

For the second night in a row, my Linksys WAG54GP2v2 has dropped its connection to the internet. On top of problems I've had for a while now with crackly voice calls when downloading from the internet (despite a call to Xnet a while back to adjust the QoS settings), I think it might be time to replace the modem/router. Plus, I also want to step up to wireless N (currently using wireless G).

What modem/router do people recommend? The key things I need are:
- Wireless G/N protocols
- At least three wired ethernet ports (for connecting home theatre, TV and Blu Ray)
- Analogue Telephone Adapter

Other features I've read about which seem handy, like a USB port for connecting a HDD to act as a NAS, or for connecting a printer, would be nice but are not necessary.

Cheers

Lizard

jonb

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#492786 13-Jul-2011 09:55

I'd check out the vodafone complete HG556a : I'm very happy with it, has built in VoIP, USB, and they go for under a hundred on trademe.

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maverick

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#492787 13-Jul-2011 09:56

SRP527 is a great box, little bit pricey but a excellent unit.

There were some issues last night btw that could have affected your Internet, but the in saying that the wag54gp2 is pretty old now and it does appear to have some issues after a few years with introducing noise on the Pots line, most likely due to component issues on the device or power supply, you could try a new power supply first and see if that makes a difference.

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RunningMan

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#492804 13-Jul-2011 10:56

maverick: you could try a new power supply first and see if that makes a difference.

+ 1
There have been several people on here recently with odd problems from some of the older linksys hardware that has been fixed by replacing the power supply - seems they are getting to that age where they are getting temperamental.

Lizard1977

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#492805 13-Jul-2011 11:02

maverick: SRP527 is a great box, little bit pricey but a excellent unit.

There were some issues last night btw that could have affected your Internet, but the in saying that the wag54gp2 is pretty old now and it does appear to have some issues after a few years with introducing noise on the Pots line, most likely due to component issues on the device or power supply, you could try a new power supply first and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks. I'd read some other posts about the WAG and new power supplies, and if it already had wireless N and a USB port, then I might look for a new PSU.

Looking at Pricespy for the SRP527, it starts around $300+ I also haunt Computerlounge and they seem to regularly recommend the TP-Link TD-W8960N for ~$100. I guess I could pair it with the SPA2102 for another $100, and save about $100. How would this setup compare with the SRP527? Would it be more/less reliable, difficult to setup?

maverick

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#492827 13-Jul-2011 12:03

putting a 2102 behind a router is generally pretty good option, most of the newer routers have much better SIP ALG's so natting works well nowdays, put your 2102 on a static address though and do a port forward for SIP port 5060 also helps and is the recommended option, so you should be okay, only issue could be QOS on the router affecting your media, the combined device 527 generally takes care of this. So really up to you the 527 is a small business grade router and as I said a little bit more expensive, I run this box at home myself and rate it.... but this suits my preferences for a router but it may not suit yours.

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Niel

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#493065 13-Jul-2011 20:31

I'm keen to take the WAG off your hands if you are going to bin it. I tinker with stuff, just this week fixed our church router. It took a couple of hours replacing components, but it is a hobby and charity. Let me know.

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maverick

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#493167 14-Jul-2011 05:59

Neil I may be able to help you out here PM me , I may be able to assist with a few old devices

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Lizard1977

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#493308 14-Jul-2011 13:13

I guess my question is how difficult or problematic is it to setup the SPA2102 on another router? I like the all-in-one approach of the SRP527, but if setting up the 2102 is a doddle, and it doesn't pose any ongoing issues, then the savings may be worthwhile.

Does anyone have any horror stories (or happy stories) about using the 2102 with different routers they want to share? Might push me in one direction or another...

maverick

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#493354 14-Jul-2011 14:04

no it's pretty easy Peter and we have a setup video that covers it.

http://www.xnet.co.nz/support/setup-videos/linksys-spa2102/

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Lizard1977

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#498402 27-Jul-2011 10:56

maverick: no it's pretty easy Peter and we have a setup video that covers it.

http://www.xnet.co.nz/support/setup-videos/linksys-spa2102/

Thanks Maverick,

In the video, and in Cisco's manual for the SPA2102, it says that the box needs to connect to the modem/router via ethernet (which is fine) and then separately to the PC, also via ethernet. Is this necessary? The reason I ask is that I have my modem/router sitting in the lounge behind the TV so I can hook up my home theatre, Blu Ray and TV to the router over ethernet, and my PC sits in a different room, connected to the router over Wifi. If I need to connect the SPA2102 to both my router/modem and my PC, then I would need to make major changes to my existing setup. Is is possible to connect the SPA2102 to just the modem/router?

maverick

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#498409 27-Jul-2011 11:06

No the the SPA2102 can jusr be a one armed router, you don't need to plug your PC into it, leave the PC setup just as it is and plug the SPA2102 into your current setup.... Note you will need to enable WAN access though if you want to configure it and to do that you have to plug into the SPA2102 LAN first of all.

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