[WXC/VFX] ADSL2+ router/modem recommendations...what are you using???

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › [WXC/VFX] ADSL2+ router/modem recommendations...what are you using???

JayADee

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#90358 20-Sep-2011 16:10

Our Dynalink rta1025w isn't handling ADSL2+ well, giving us a max. of 11 Mbps. bang on every speed test including multiple connections. I should be able to get at least to 18. It's an older model and I'm not entirely surprised (required a firmware update to make it ADSL2+ compatible and since discontinued).

Any suggestions for a fast, stable wireless router/modem that can handle sip and multiple connections without keeling over? Must have at least a couple ethernet ports and I prefer an all-in-one.

I just started looking and the TP-Link TD-W8960N looks like a possible though I haven't completely checked it out yet.

What are you guys using?

Thanks for any help!

Anyone tried a Netcomm NB6Plus4Wn lately? (I know some chipsets of some routers are having trouble since Telecom did...something...so I'm cautious about older reports.)

cyril7

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#523628 20-Sep-2011 16:26

Hi, why do you think its the modem limiting the speed, what are your line stats, you mention that it should be 18Mb/s where does this come from, line stats, or guess.

Cyril

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JayADee

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#523637 20-Sep-2011 17:07

I've been over everything else is why. :)

I live 6-800 m from the exchange, line stats are excellent,
Noise Margin 12.4 dB 12.6 dB
Line Attenuation 10.5 dB 4.8 dB
regularly maxed out download on ADSL1 at 7 mbps, at the moment, router reports Attainable Line Rate 21560 Kbps, Line Rate 17861 Kbps down (down a little from closer to 18 something yesterday) 1199 Kbps up.

It's doing about that on the up, 11.5 every time on the download side.
Contacted xnet support who said it's likely the router, he has two of the same (only one ADSL2+ capable) and he can't max his out either.

Likewise, on a gamer forum a guy was complaining about exactly the same issue. I could tell by the screen shot of his config page he's got the same router. He maxed out at 12 and managed to once get 14 while a guy who lives near him gets another 5 Mbps with a diff. router.

I also re-tweaked my TCP settings with no change.

So my best guess now is the router.

Anyone tried a Netcomm NB6Plus4Wn lately? That looks a good one at a reasonable price?
NM, NB6PLUS4WN is based on RTA1025W so maybe not a good choice.

coffeebaron

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#523763 20-Sep-2011 21:10

I'd go the SRP527, pricey, but all set if you go XnetFusion. Also I think you can buy now from Xnet (comes via PBTech), and pay on your bill over 3 months.
http://www.xnet.co.nz/voip-hardware/hardware-purchase/

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cyril7

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#523775 20-Sep-2011 21:35

Hi, just needed to be sure that it was your router rather than connection, more commonly the latter.

As you probably are aware the TP-Links are a favorite of mine, although the Dlinks (and the netcomms) use the same parts, but different firmware.

I have here a basic TD 8840 and sync at 17Mb/s and I get speedtests of around 15-16Mb/s. As you may be aware on a Telecom DSLAM you will not get more than around 18-19Mb/s sync due to the 12dB noise margin, but I do know of guys working with other Telco DSLAMs and set lower noise margins to get 23-24Mb/s sync and achieve 20-21Mb/s speedtests on the TD8840 so they are not a limitation for ADLS2+

Cyril

JayADee

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#523846 21-Sep-2011 07:28

Thanks to both of you, that's exactly the kind of information I am looking for. I was considering the SRP527 because we are on fusion as well as a TP link since we're currently set up with a PAP2t which is working fine and the TP has a good rep in forums and in this magazine review. ( http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/reviews/tp-link-td-w8960n ) I'm cautious over what to get what with some chipsets having problems with Telecom and plus I want an upgrade, not a sideways move.

How does the SRP527 do under heavy loads and what kind of speeds are you getting with it?

Thanks!
Julie

Edit: with updated firmware the SRP527 fares well on whirlpool's forums so it must be pretty
good; they're quick to pick up and talk about problems over there. I'm leaning towards that one now depending on some feedback from someone about speeds. Also like the idea of paying it off on my xnet bill over three bills. :)

Kraven

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#523851 21-Sep-2011 07:55

JayADee: Contacted xnet support who said it's likely the router, he has two of the same (only one ADSL2+ capable) and he can't max his out either.

I find this a little strange as I have the same router (the old white one) and have no issue with downloads reaching 2.1MB/sec on a line sync of 20-21Mbps. I'm not with Xnet, however.

Can you borrow a different router from someone to try?

coffeebaron

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#523855 21-Sep-2011 08:09

I've had an SRP527 reasonably close to exchange / cabinet, and had very good upstream & downstream quite close to the 20Mbps mark. Speed wise thay probably sit in the middle somewhere - i.e. not slow, but will be beaten by the odd modem here n there.
Reliability wise very good! And I think you'll notice an improvement in voice quality over the PAP2T.
Can also be switched into WAN mode, so are compatible with a fibre to home connection.
Throughput very good - a few people have the SRP521 on the TelstraClear cable connections, and they never seem to miss a beat.

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RunningMan

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#523862 21-Sep-2011 08:42

+1 for the SRP527. Will happily hit a speedtest that is consistent with the sync rate (in my case about 17500/1200), and never had it crash.

Niel

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#524141 21-Sep-2011 15:57

I've also got the SRP527W and very happy with it. In a concrete building I would go for the next model which has diversity antennas, but for most timber homes the single antenna will be sufficient.

It should perform above average, being a small business router with lots more options than you could ever imagine (and I care to learn about). XNet will likely manage updating the firmware to the latest for you. Mine rebooted like 4 or 5 times after the first registration. XNet will also change the admin account password to lock you out of the voice section, but they give the user account all the modem/router admin privileges.

The only issue I've ever had with Linksys and might also with Cisco is power adapters failing after about 3 or 4 years. This is not their fault, they have no control over the quality of power adapters as virtually all companies buy it in with a custom label.

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JayADee

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#524249 21-Sep-2011 19:11

Thanks everyone, that was veeerrry helpful. I've discussed it with the hubby and he says go ahead and get one if I decide to; the xnet rep has confirmed I can do the pay over three bills thing so we're good to go. I can keep the old pap2t and router for a backup.

Interesting that it can do fibre!
Also very pleased to learn it should last a long while. I don't mind replacing a power cable/adapter. Ditto that the sound quality may increase. That will please the man to no end, lol. Thanks for the information re: speeds.

Sounds like I've found our solution thanks to all your help. :)

coffeebaron

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#524269 21-Sep-2011 20:09

JayADee: Ditto that the sound quality may increase. That will please the man to no end, lol.

Except if you use a budget non WiFi friendly cordless, as the extra N bandwidth will love to eat your cordless 2.4GHz waves for breakfast :) :)

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JayADee

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#524378 22-Sep-2011 07:05

Mmmm, yeah, have to check that. Last time I looked it was wifi friendly but haven't specifically checked for N!