Planning upgrade DSL to UFB in Christchurch

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DonC

15 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#172087 11-May-2015 15:59

Well. I've finally received the weet-bix packet in the letterbox from Enable (something about getting more fibre) that they're willing to hook me up to UFB here in suburban Christchurch, so I'm looking at taking the plunge.

The setup at the moment, is;

1 x Copper POTS line via Telecom
1 x 80GB ADSL connection via Telecom with static IP for hosting email, web & FTP (for ~10 years)

1 x 2.4 Ghz Linksys WAG200G ADSL Modem/Router in DMZ mode into an Ethernet port on my Linux firewall/server & providing guest wireless (outside the firewall)

1 x 2.4 Ghz Linksys WAG200G ADSL Modem/Router in bridge mode providing House/Office wireless AP (inside the firewall via 16 port GbE switch)
1 x VOIP via 2Talk going to a Linksys IP Phone SPA942

Everything inside the firewall plugs into a NetGear GS116 16 port unmanaged gigabit switch.

I'm expecting the data side of the whole operation to go no worse than usual...

The DSL connection currently comes straight from the Linksys WAG200G router (in DMZ mode).
Do I need a bridge/router? between the ONT & the server?
If so, I'm guessing the WAG200G (being DSL) isn't likely to be up to the job, and would need something to bridge the connection to the server, and if it could also provide a second Ethernet port to plug the guest wireless AP into would do the job. Any suggestions?

I'd prefer to go with gigabit gear where possible (if not stupidly expensive), in the vain hope that one day my connection might make it to 100+ Mb/s and I wouldn't have to replace anything (Yeah. I know... ;-)

Future plans are to upgrade the house/office wireless to 2.4/5Ghz as the spectrum is beginning to get crowded and will likely only get worse.
I'll probably keep the guest on 2.4Ghz as it's not that important at this stage.

Now. My concerns about the phone side...

I don't seem to be able to find much information online about what a "phone line" over fibre provides me. I understand that there are two ATAs installed in the ONT, but what are the capabilities of them?
Is it the plain boring single line with CID and not much else I currently rent from Telecom? Or is it something fancy like my 2Talk VOIP line with follow me & other exciting possibilities?

I'm guessing that the ONT ATAs are on a separate VLAN? So they won't interfere with the standalone 2Talk VOIP connection?

Also. Are there any gotchas I need to be aware of, especially in regards disconnecting my old provider. In this case Telecom? I've heard stories of them trying to charge an extra months rental for a service they haven't provided, which sounds a lot like theft to me. Anyone know anything about this?

Any ISPs that I should/shouldn't use? I saw another thread talking about MyRepublic using CGNAT. Is this something I should be concerned about running my own (small) email/web servers?

Many thanks in advance.

Don.

DarkShadow

1647 posts

Uber Geek

#1302059 11-May-2015 16:09

No you don't need anything extra, just plug the ONT directly into your Linux box.

Phone feature depends on which provider you go with. You could also not buy phone from your ISP and just keep on using 2talk.

Spark has a 30 day cancellation period, which many other ISPs also have. I'll advise you not to cancel your copper connection early just to save a few bucks, because if you do this Murphy will ensure your fibre order is delayed, leaving you with no internet.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1302071 11-May-2015 16:22

DarkShadow: No you don't need anything extra, just plug the ONT directly into your Linux box.

Phone feature depends on which provider you go with. You could also not buy phone from your ISP and just keep on using 2talk.

Spark has a 30 day cancellation period, which many other ISPs also have. I'll advise you not to cancel your copper connection early just to save a few bucks, because if you do this Murphy will ensure your fibre order is delayed, leaving you with no internet.

Michael Murphy? :P

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1302175 11-May-2015 18:32

Sounds like you have a fair idea of networks and things if you are running your own server, firewalls etc. I would say grab yourself a Mikrotik RB2011. That will NAT a 100/50 UFB connection no sweat (well, a little bit of sweat but no big deal). RouterOS is super flexible and you will probably find you can do away with your linux box (unless it is something quite specific).
The only other thing I would say is don't bother with a SPA942 and get a more up to date SPA502G - or maybe look at the Yealink IP phones, the T46G would be my pick, lots and lots of features and I personally think it's better hardware than the SPA range for a similar.