What equipment do I need

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steve98

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#113152 8-Jan-2013 11:18

Further to this thread, it looks like I am going to connect to the UFB with Kiwilink. It's a new build house, so I have an enclosure inserted into the garage wall (I believe this one) which will have to house the ONT, a small 16-port gig switch (here), a patch panel and... what should I buy in terms of a router and whatever is required for VOIP (as this will effectively be the landline too) as Kiwilink do not supply equipment by default.

I have an Airport Extreme that I could put in there but I don't think it supports VLAN tagging. I'm confused about what sort of router I need and what is needed to support connecting a standard DECT phone to one of the RJ-45s... when I google it I find things like the Cisco SPA 112 but in pictures of other fibre hubs I've seen the phone equipment looks more 'patch panel-like' - what's the most cost effective and space-saving way to connect one phone to a router?

I really hope this is all going to fit in my enclosure!

Cheers

Steve

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#741514 8-Jan-2013 11:35

Hey Steve, firstly make sure you have conduit and pulling wire installed from the ETP on the outside of your house to your enclosure otherwise you will have toe ither:

a) take the GIB off to get the fibre to the enclosure
b) put the ONT on the wall near the ETP

In regards to equipment I would recommend a pfSense router on embedded hardware. Take a look here:
http://www.pfsense.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=50

for your phones, you will need a Voip ATA such as the Linksys SPA3102 (or whatever the newer model is). Perhaps ask Kiwilink about what they recommend. In any case, they will just output a normal analogue signal which you can connect to the patch panel for the port where you want to put your DECT base station in the house.

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steve98

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#741534 8-Jan-2013 12:01

Yup conduit and pulling wire all in place.

That link is a bit confusing -- is this an actual make / model of router or is it some kind of firmware you're pointing me to?

Cheers

chevrolux

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#741562 8-Jan-2013 12:41

For an all in one unit FritzBox 7390 (or even just the 7360). Will be around the $350-$400 but is seriously good value. The wireless would be wasted inside a steel box but you can always just feed the ethernet from ont out to the fritz and then feed the lan back to your cabinet on another outlet. Or just get a separate wireless access point.
Pfsense is an awesome platform but for an all in one unit the Fritzboz is great. Has a really good telephony platform in it that no other residential routers have and they even have their own soft phone app for android and iphone.
Oh and it has NAS capabilities. Haven't explored that much but will be my next area I play with.

Edit: and also has a built in DECT so no need for a base unit. I like the siemens range, A510h is one of the cheaper ones with plenty of features

gustov

190 posts

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#741566 8-Jan-2013 12:47

Steve98, do you mind telling me what made you choose Kiwilink as your providor?

I just looked at their website and their monthly data and phone plan is $30 dearer than what I pay (that makes Kiwilink 33% more expensive than my ISP).

Also my ISP supplied a four-port wireless modem for free.

steve98

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#741568 8-Jan-2013 12:50

Reason is kiwilink are offering no-term contracts -- the other ISPs are offering only 12 or 24 month terms and the early termination fees are usually the value of the rest of the full term. It's quite likely that when Telecom starts to offer UFB I'll want to move to them so don't want to be locked into a contract with prohibitive early termination fees.

gustov

190 posts

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#741653 8-Jan-2013 14:25

Hmm, I can see your reasoning

However, my early termination fee is $199, and I've had fiber installed for six months and since my ISP is $30 a month cheaper than yours, I have already saved 6x$30=$180 compared to what your ISP charges for the same six month period.

So next month I could, in theory, quit my ISP and I would still be better off financially even paying them $199, than if I had been with your ISP, and I would still have the free modem (which you have had to pay for).

Unless you can be absolutely certain that Telecom is going to enter the market within six months and offer very very significantly cheaper UFB charges than it competitors, than your no-contract ISP may not necessarilly be your wisest option.

Finally, after all I've written above, I've just looked at Kiwilink's site a little more closely and their prices do not include GST. So my ISP deal is even better than I outlined above. I pay $89.95 (GST inclusive) for 100Gb and phone, whereas Kiwilink charge $138 (GST inclusive) for the same package.

That makes Kiwilinks's price a whopping 53% dearer than my ISP. That's a huge premium to pay for not wanting to sign a $199 contract. After five months you will have paid Kiwilink (5x$48=$240) more than what I have to pay my ISP to break my contract. In the circumstances I don't see why you would take the risk with Kiwilink.

Lorenceo

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#741662 8-Jan-2013 14:33

Asus RT-N16 (Supports VLAN tagging on stock firmware, and can run custom firmware) + a VOIP ATA to connect to your phones.
You may not end up needing an ATA, as your provider may use the voice ports on the ONT, but you should contact your ISP to see which hardware they recommend for the VOIP.

sbiddle

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#741668 8-Jan-2013 14:41

Before you look at hardware you need to establish what hardware you'll need for VoIP, which will depend on who you're using for VoIP. Most providers so far have opted to use their own RGW's. I know Telecom's plans are to use the ONT.

Do Kiwilink use the ONT or require you to supply hardware?

steve98

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#741670 8-Jan-2013 14:44

gustov: Hmm, I can see your reasoning

However, my early termination fee is $199, and I've had fiber installed for six months and since my ISP is $30 a month cheaper than yours, I have already saved 6x$30=$180 compared to what your ISP charges for the same six month period.

So next month I could, in theory, quit my ISP and I would still be better off financially even paying them $199, than if I had been with your ISP, and I would still have the free modem (which you have had to pay for).

Unless you can be absolutely certain that Telecom is going to enter the market within six months and offer very very significantly cheaper UFB charges than it competitors, than your no-contract ISP may not necessarilly be your wisest option.

Finally, after all I've written above, I've just looked at Kiwilink's site a little more closely and their prices do not include GST. So my ISP deal is even better than I outlined above. I pay $89.95 (GST inclusive) for 100Gb and phone, whereas Kiwilink charge $138 (GST inclusive) for the same package.

That makes Kiwilinks's price a whopping 53% dearer than my ISP. That's a huge premium to pay for not wanting to sign a $199 contract. After five months you will have paid Kiwilink (5x$48=$240) more than what I have to pay my ISP to break my contract. In the circumstances I don't see why you would take the risk with Kiwilink.

Who is your ISP? A $199 early termination fee is reasonable, especially if they supply hardware.

steve98

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#741672 8-Jan-2013 14:47

sbiddle: Before you look at hardware you need to establish what hardware you'll need for VoIP, which will depend on who you're using for VoIP. Most providers so far have opted to use their own RGW's. I know Telecom's plans are to use the ONT.

Do Kiwilink use the ONT or require you to supply hardware?

Ah, that's interesting that Telecom are planning to use the ONT. Kiwilink do require hardware, but I could always get by just using a SIP client on my iPhone until the switch to Telecom.

steve98

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#741679 8-Jan-2013 14:56

steve98:
gustov: Hmm, I can see your reasoning

However, my early termination fee is $199, and I've had fiber installed for six months and since my ISP is $30 a month cheaper than yours, I have already saved 6x$30=$180 compared to what your ISP charges for the same six month period.

So next month I could, in theory, quit my ISP and I would still be better off financially even paying them $199, than if I had been with your ISP, and I would still have the free modem (which you have had to pay for).

Unless you can be absolutely certain that Telecom is going to enter the market within six months and offer very very significantly cheaper UFB charges than it competitors, than your no-contract ISP may not necessarilly be your wisest option.

Finally, after all I've written above, I've just looked at Kiwilink's site a little more closely and their prices do not include GST. So my ISP deal is even better than I outlined above. I pay $89.95 (GST inclusive) for 100Gb and phone, whereas Kiwilink charge $138 (GST inclusive) for the same package.

That makes Kiwilinks's price a whopping 53% dearer than my ISP. That's a huge premium to pay for not wanting to sign a $199 contract. After five months you will have paid Kiwilink (5x$48=$240) more than what I have to pay my ISP to break my contract. In the circumstances I don't see why you would take the risk with Kiwilink.

Who is your ISP? A $199 early termination fee is reasonable, especially if they supply hardware.

Ah. Looking at your past posts it looks like you're with WorldNet. I did look at their website but got the impression they're Auckland only, no? If so then I'm stuck with Kiwilink or ISPs that would want me to pay out the entire term (e.g. 12 month contract at $75 per month, quit after four months, termination fee = $600... see my dilemma?!)

gustov

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#741685 8-Jan-2013 15:11

Who is your ISP? A $199 early termination fee is reasonable, especially if they supply hardware.

I'm with Worldnet. You can read my review of the UFB install here:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=135&topicid=106897

I wanted to be sure of my facts and I've rechecked my contract. Worldnet's UFB installation terms are an 18 month contract, with an early termination fee of $199.

steve98

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#741689 8-Jan-2013 15:16

gustov:
Who is your ISP? A $199 early termination fee is reasonable, especially if they supply hardware.

I'm with Worldnet. You can read my review of the UFB install here:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=135&topicid=106897

I wanted to be sure of my facts and I've rechecked my contract. Worldnet's UFB installation terms are an 18 month contract, with an early termination fee of $199.

Yeah I've just been reading that. I have tried calling them but can't get through in any reasonable time (I am at work). Have emailed them to see if they offer service outside of Auckland. This page leads me to believe otherwise.

steve98

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#741697 8-Jan-2013 15:23

steve98:
gustov:
Who is your ISP? A $199 early termination fee is reasonable, especially if they supply hardware.

I'm with Worldnet. You can read my review of the UFB install here:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=135&topicid=106897

I wanted to be sure of my facts and I've rechecked my contract. Worldnet's UFB installation terms are an 18 month contract, with an early termination fee of $199.

Yeah I've just been reading that. I have tried calling them but can't get through in any reasonable time (I am at work). Have emailed them to see if they offer service outside of Auckland. This page leads me to believe otherwise.

Bugger. Just got through and yes it's Auckland only at this stage, so I'm left with Kiwilink for now.

sbiddle

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#741709 8-Jan-2013 15:33

steve98:
sbiddle: Before you look at hardware you need to establish what hardware you'll need for VoIP, which will depend on who you're using for VoIP. Most providers so far have opted to use their own RGW's. I know Telecom's plans are to use the ONT.

Do Kiwilink use the ONT or require you to supply hardware?

Ah, that's interesting that Telecom are planning to use the ONT. Kiwilink do require hardware, but I could always get by just using a SIP client on my iPhone until the switch to Telecom.

Using the ONT makes lots of sense - it's just the downside of provisioning and diagnostics at this point in time.

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