Best simple ADSL modem

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ioquatix

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# 38473 30-Jul-2009 04:37

Hi,

I've got a RTA1320 modem which is dying (overheating, etc).

I'm looking at buying a new modem. I don't need wireless feature, just a simple modem is fine. But reliability is important. Price < $500 preferable.

Some modems I've been looking at:

Linksys AG310-AU ADSL2+ Modem/Router, True firewall, Ethernet, 4xRJ-45 ports, VoIP
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=368116
This modem seems pretty nice. However according to some websites it is already "obsolete". I'm not sure what this means but I can't find this modem on the Linksys website either.. does anyone have anything to say about this modem?

DrayTek Vigor 120 ADSL2+ Modem/Router, True firewall, Ethernet, 1xRJ-45 ports
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=376438
I have read that DrayTek is a good brand. However I have not used them personally. Has anyone used this modem and has any feedback?

Cisco 857-K9 Integrated Services Router ADSL Modem/Router, True firewall, Ethernet, 4xRJ-45 ports
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=9367221
Quite a bit more expensive, but if reliability is important (which it is) then should I be considering something like this as a serious option? On the other hand, it seems like it could be overkill.

Any feedback and/or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Samuel

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# 240442 30-Jul-2009 08:41

Maybe it's because I'm currently undergoing Cisco training, but the 857 really is a good (reliable) modem. A lot of people like the DrayTeks as well, which I have no personal experience with.

The Linksys-es are usually good, but I've seen my share of failing AM300s and AG300s that I opted to just buy new RTA1320s when they die. Of course, none of the systems that run the Dynalinks are crucial for anyone nor will someone die if the internet goes down.

YMMV.

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xlinknz

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# 240448 30-Jul-2009 08:50

I had a RTA1320 that had the same fate too

I replaced with a brand new Thomson 536v6 off Trademe for $10 [yes thats the free one TCNZ provide]

Works very well and I'm not on Xtra either !

Note: I also have a 4 port Wifi router behind the modem. I like to keep my access seperate from my router, that way if I can change to another technology e.g. vdsl or cable modem and not throw out my investment in a wifi router

ps: I was using a Cisco 877 for a while too. [way too much desk space]

ioquatix

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# 240541 30-Jul-2009 12:03

I'm leaning more towards the DrayTek Vigor 120 as it seems to have good support for PPPoA to PPPoE bridging which means we won't have double-nat (we use a openbsd firewall).

Anyone have any experience with this modem?

Otherwise I'm a guinea pig.. :)

insane

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# 240706 30-Jul-2009 18:53

I've just cut the top grid off my RTA1320 and have it running in half-bridge mode with a w/less router running DD-WTR. Works perfectly and never overheats.

Cool as a cucumber ;) and only $20 on Trademe

Dynalink's also have remarkably good Modems in them so sync rates will always be as good as they can be.

However if you care more about the reliability then yeah the 857 is tried and proven. We force customers to use them or better for managed multi-site dsl WANs.

Ragnor

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# 240735 30-Jul-2009 20:07

+1 for "just buy another one off trademe for $20"

Fairly trivial to mod it so there is more ventilation/cooling/put a old heatsinks on the hot bits.

RalphFromSnap

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# 240849 31-Jul-2009 09:18

I'm +1 for the cisco route (Snap deploys 877Ws), however the Draytek will do what you want for cheaper - and will also support eUBA and Annex M if/when it is used in NZ.

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xlinknz

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# 240857 31-Jul-2009 09:43

insane: I've just cut the top grid off my RTA1320 and have it running in half-bridge mode with a w/less router running DD-WTR. Works perfectly and never overheats.

Cool as a cucumber ;) and only $20 on Trademe

Dynalink's also have remarkably good Modems in them so sync rates will always be as good as they can be.

However if you care more about the reliability then yeah the 857 is tried and proven. We force customers to use them or better for managed multi-site dsl WANs.

I too opened up my RTA1320 and left it opened by an open window. This made no difference to its reliability.

ioquatix

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# 240890 31-Jul-2009 11:31

The funny thing was, I just started a New Zealand Sauerbraten server (FPS) on one of the machines in the garage. We were going hardcore and then suddenly everyone else dropped.. internet stopped working.. the poor modem was so hot I was sure it would melt.

I tried restarting it but in the end I had to leave it in the freezer for 10 minutes before it started working again. The other odd thing is it started "singing" a high pitched whining sound which seems to me to indicate the power supply is on the way out.

I think the problem was the large amount of UDP traffic that it was required to switch. Normally with TCP you have few relatively large packets, but with this game there are many small packets.

P/S: I have ordered the DrayTek from Ascent. I'll let you guys know how I get on.

magu

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# 240905 31-Jul-2009 11:52

The whiny noise is the cap on its way out, not the PSU.

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ioquatix

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# 241068 31-Jul-2009 19:58

magu: The whiny noise is the cap on its way out, not the PSU.

Sure, and what are the capacitors for? Power supply and voltage regulation (generally anyway)

magu

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# 241119 31-Jul-2009 23:24

I thought they were used for line attenuation and etc. since the PSU already is bulky. My bad.

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insane

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# 241126 1-Aug-2009 02:12

xlinknz:
insane: I've just cut the top grid off my RTA1320 and have it running in half-bridge mode with a w/less router running DD-WTR. Works perfectly and never overheats.

Cool as a cucumber ;) and only $20 on Trademe

Dynalink's also have remarkably good Modems in them so sync rates will always be as good as they can be.

However if you care more about the reliability then yeah the 857 is tried and proven. We force customers to use them or better for managed multi-site dsl WANs.
I too opened up my RTA1320 and left it opened by an open window. This made no difference to its reliability.

Yeah I convieniently forgot to mention that I'm already on my 2nd one (first one overheated , suprise suprise which prompted the mod on the 2nd) and have already bought a 3rd for when this one goes.

RalphFromSnap: I'm +1 for the cisco route (Snap deploys 877Ws), however the Draytek will do what you want for cheaper - and will also support eUBA and Annex M if/when it is used in NZ.

Good point about the eUBA!

mjb

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# 241182 1-Aug-2009 12:01

Yeah, I +1 the cisco option too... Apart from that I've had many years of good service from an old 3com HomeConnect (but ADSL1 only), and now I'm onto an AM300 in non-NAT mode which has been rock solid since bought, in February.

(Speaking of Cisco, if anyone has a used 877 they'd like to sell, drop me a line)

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ioquatix

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# 241858 3-Aug-2009 16:27

I have had the DreyTek Vigor running for a bit now. While it didn't seem to connect initially, it is working fine now (I think the factory default VPI/VCI was incorrect).

The odd thing is, I'm with Orcon FS/FS. The Dynalink gave me the following information:

Downstream
Line Rate 5975
Attainable Line Rate 7736

Upstream
Line Rate 961
Attainable Line Rate 953

But DreyTek gives me the following:

Downstream
Line Rate 4864

Upstream
Line Rate 992

So it seems it has gotten quite a bit slower. I'm not sure how to see the maximum possible rate on the DreyTek, but the other odd thing is with the FS/FS plan shouldn't "Line Rate" == "Attainable Line Rate" ?

magu

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# 241864 3-Aug-2009 16:33

Not really. Attainable Line Rate is only achievable under perfect planetary alignment, atmospheric conditions and hell-freezing-over scenarios.

It's the theoretical speed the modem WOULD get if there was no noise/interference/etc on the line.

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