Vdsl2 Modem/Router recommendation?

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Vdsl2 Modem/Router recommendation?

myfullflavour

896 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Full Flavour

#100685 16-Apr-2012 21:19

As per the title - those with VDSL2: what modems can you recommend?

We are testing in house before deploying VDSL2 solutions for clients.

1 | 2

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#610250 16-Apr-2012 21:45

It's hard to beat the VDSL2 Zyxel's at present, good value for money and good performace. Despite installing a number of these I've never yet used one as a router - they have been purely as modems.

If you don't mind paying more the Fritz! Box 7390 is IMHO the best all in one VDSL2 CPE unit around.

networkn

Networkn
32350 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#610265 16-Apr-2012 22:17

Zyxel, no question. We have resold a dozen or so, a few to people here, and they always review well.

CUnl

26 posts

Geek

#610268 16-Apr-2012 22:23

Just to add to the pile... ZyXEL :)

The Zyxel P870H is fantastic bang for buck. It has the features most advanced routers have for a fraction of the price - including bridging.

For a pricier option, the Cisco 887VA - superb unit with the typical Cisco router features ... including IPSec/SSL VPN terminators.

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#610278 16-Apr-2012 22:48

Get the Zyxel which is the cheapest capable of full bridging and use it with a good router e.g. pfsense (which can run on an old workstation).

Speedtest 2019-10-14

myfullflavour

896 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Full Flavour

#610314 17-Apr-2012 08:13

So doesn't look like there are any good VDSL2 modems that don't bust the $300 mark.

Heard the Dynamax(?) ones had a tendency for blowing up or not working at all.

theEd

341 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#610317 17-Apr-2012 08:16

Another option for all-in-one router is the DrayTek Vigor2750 series. These are actually OpenWRT-based too, so you should be able to put DD-WRT or your WRT flavour of choice on there if you're not happy with the stock firmware.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#610318 17-Apr-2012 08:34

myfullflavour: So doesn't look like there are any good VDSL2 modems that don't bust the $300 mark.

Heard the Dynamax(?) ones had a tendency for blowing up or not working at all.

The Zyxel's are under $300

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

myfullflavour

896 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Full Flavour

#610319 17-Apr-2012 08:36

Suggestions on where to buy? I was looking at Ascent

vespaman

88 posts

Master Geek

#611503 18-Apr-2012 21:29

the zyxel vdsl and adsl gear just work.

some new ones on trade me at the moment.

LennonNZ

2459 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#614750 25-Apr-2012 08:47

I am using a Cisco 867VAE at home at the moment which works 100% fine.
I am very close to the cabinet with 0 Attenuation
With the Cisco 867 I can literally transfer 50Mb/s Down and 10Mb/s Up over it with no problems
I used a Cisco 887 last week and it works just as well

I have not used a cisco 877 yet but is there much difference in what it can do? Thruput?

Modem Status: TC Sync (Showtime!)
DSL Config Mode: AUTO
Trained Mode: G.993.2 (VDSL2) Profile 8b
TC Mode: PTM
Selftest Result: 0x00
DELT configuration: disabled
DELT state: not running
Trellis: ON OFF
Line Attenuation: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Signal Attenuation: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Noise Margin: 13.1 dB 19.1 dB
Attainable Rate: 55728 kbits/s 14800 kbits/s

lucky015

743 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#614881 25-Apr-2012 13:00

LennonNZ: I am using a Cisco 867VAE at home at the moment which works 100% fine.
I am very close to the cabinet with 0 Attenuation
With the Cisco 867 I can literally transfer 50Mb/s Down and 10Mb/s Up over it with no problems
I used a Cisco 887 last week and it works just as well

I have not used a cisco 877 yet but is there much difference in what it can do? Thruput?

Modem Status: TC Sync (Showtime!)
DSL Config Mode: AUTO
Trained Mode: G.993.2 (VDSL2) Profile 8b
TC Mode: PTM
Selftest Result: 0x00
DELT configuration: disabled
DELT state: not running
Trellis: ON OFF
Line Attenuation: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Signal Attenuation: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Noise Margin: 13.1 dB 19.1 dB
Attainable Rate: 55728 kbits/s 14800 kbits/s

A little off topic but your line sounds perfect, Have you tried requesting a faster line profile?

As I understand it profile 17a can be set on request by some providers allowing a maximum speed of 100Mb/s but with a line that good I'd like to see the stats for 30a 200Mb/s.

networkn

Networkn
32350 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#614896 25-Apr-2012 13:31

I was thinking the same as lucky, though I didn't even know there was a profile 30, since I am getting 70Mbps/10Mbps I am wondering what 30a would do for me.

CUnl

26 posts

Geek

#614906 25-Apr-2012 13:46

lucky015:

A little off topic but your line sounds perfect, Have you tried requesting a faster line profile?

As I understand it profile 17a can be set on request by some providers allowing a maximum speed of 100Mb/s but with a line that good I'd like to see the stats for 30a 200Mb/s.

Unfortunately you can't request a profile change - the same goes for interleaving.
Back in the days of the VDSL trial it was possible, but no longer :(

Chorus only offer 8b and 17a profiles (or variants of) .. and with the likes of GPON coming online gradually, I don't see Chorus making any drastic changes to accommodate faster profiles.

The only way to get 17a is by having DLM (Dynamic Line Monitoring) selecting it for you. With your line stats I'd say DLM didn't see such a great line when it was running, or DLM isn't possible through your ISAM (most are, but the odd one isn't).

Hit up your ISP and ask them to nudge Chorus into putting DLM on your line for a week or so - then cross fingers, toes, arms, legs, eyes ... in hopes it'll put you on 17a :)

CUnl

26 posts

Geek

#614913 25-Apr-2012 14:03

LennonNZ: I am using a Cisco 867VAE at home at the moment which works 100% fine.
I am very close to the cabinet with 0 Attenuation
With the Cisco 867 I can literally transfer 50Mb/s Down and 10Mb/s Up over it with no problems
I used a Cisco 887 last week and it works just as well

I have not used a cisco 877 yet but is there much difference in what it can do? Thruput?

The Cisco 877 series were EOL'd December 2011 - with the 887 being the direct replacement.

The 880 series is essentially better in all areas, with an increase in CPU, Throughput, IPSec tunnels etc and in the inclusion of SSL VPN .

Unfortunately for those that don't put their DSL router in a comms room/cabinet, it also has a larger foot print and now includes a fan - so it's no longer the small silent box in the corner :(

LennonNZ

2459 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#614986 25-Apr-2012 16:13

A little off topic but your line sounds perfect, Have you tried requesting a faster line profile?

As I understand it profile 17a can be set on request by some providers allowing a maximum speed of 100Mb/s but with a line that good I'd like to see the stats for 30a 200Mb/s.

I work at the ISP (I set the ISP end up as well) and yes I have asked Chorus to set it to 17a profile but they won't do it (yet) for various reasons.

Chorus specs says they will only support 8b and 17a profiles - e.g.

The spectrum profiles to be used for WVS are based on use of the ITU-T G.993.2 997E8b and 997E17a VDSL2 profiles.
The VDSL2 997E8b spectrum profile forms the default profile for all WVS customers.
The 997E17a spectrum profile will only be used for End Users on short loops (an attenuation level corresponding to about 200 m or less) and will be activated by Chorus only where this will optimise the end user experience.
Note that DLM will optimise the line based on the selected spectrum profile.

1 | 2