ADSL2+ Modem

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mejobloggs

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# 38901 5-Aug-2009 17:00

I'm wanting to buy a cheap ADSL2+ modem

I already have a capable router (wrt54gl + tomato), so will turn off any extra features the adsl2 modem/router may have anyway

I've been hearing that Thompson is really good, and gives you high performance and a stable connection

But I can't find any Thompson for sale anywhere?

I quite liked the look of the TG508 (http://www.thomson.net/GlobalEnglish/Deliver/In-Home-Digital-Distribution/Telco-ISP/dsl-modems-gateways/residential_wired/tg508/Pages/default.aspx)

Does anyone know where I can buy them from? Or have any other brand/product suggestions?

corksta

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# 243128 5-Aug-2009 17:18

I don't know much about the Thompson modems, but I use a D-Link 502T modem plugged into my router. Been using it about a year and not a single problem.

Ragnor

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# 243292 5-Aug-2009 22:43

Get something that does PPoA half bridge so you can avoid double NAT and use the full features of Tomato. Ben's epic blog post is over 2 years old now but still a great explaination of why you want to do this:

http://www.ben.geek.nz/adsl-routing-solution-in-detail/
http://www.ben.geek.nz/router-addendum-dynalink-rta1320/

The 3 adsl modem's I've come across that I would recommend are:

Dynalink RTA1320:
You can get one for around $20-30 for on Trademe (they are given out by many ISP's as the free new signup modem so there are usually heaps for auction).

They do gave a reputation for often only lasting a few years before crapping out (they run a little hot) but they are so so cheap on Trademe you can just buy another one. I used to use one of these before it died, it worked well. I was about to get another one off trademe when I spied a very check AM300 and got that instead. It uses a very common broadcom chipset so should work well on telecom, orcon and vodafone gear in the exchanges.

Linksys AM300
More expensive than the Dynalink, ~$50-60 on trademe or <$100 new (check pricespy), initial firmware was buggy but an update mid last year fixed all the problems. I'm using one right now with connect in half bridge mode to my WRT54GL running Tomato and haven't had any problems with it (since the firmware upgrade last year). Uses a Texas Instruments chipset works fine on telecom gear, haven't tried it on any LLU connections yet, someone else might be able to comment further on that.

Draytek Vigor120
Fairly expensive but this can do full PPOA to PPOE bridging (rather than half bridge) which probably makes it superior to the other two, I haven't tried one myself but I have seen it recommended on geekzone quite a bit. Uses an Inifieon chipset I think should work well on any equipment, I believe the firmware is being actively developed.

I'm sure there are other options too, however I'm not sure that Thompson you linked supports half bridge, also I hate how Thompson site doesn't let you access firmware upgrades directly.

mejobloggs

32 posts

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# 243351 6-Aug-2009 08:46

Thanks for the great post and the links. I wasn't aware of this half bridge stuff, but it's interesting reading

zCelicaDude

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# 243366 6-Aug-2009 09:24

Thomson/SpeedTouch are available in auckland, directly from 09 589 1350. www.speedtouch.net.nz.

mejobloggs

32 posts

Geek

# 243416 6-Aug-2009 11:58

Yeah I looked at speedtouch.net.nz, but I thought it was a support site only, since they had no prices or anything at all indication that they sold them

Plus most of the listed products also say 'discontinued', and they didn't have the one's I was looking at on the Thomson site :S

I'll see what features/price they have, otherwise I'm pretty keen on the Draytek 120

*edit Hmmm Thomson seem very scarce with their info, I can't find out if they support half bridge

*edit edit... According to this thread, Full Bridge mode has better security AND better performance. I definately want to look for something that does Full Bridge then. I kind of indicates the Thompson 536 can do it, but not quite sure
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/750016.html

Athlonite

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# 243758 7-Aug-2009 05:20

Trademe is your friend you'll often find what your looking for on there

Athlonite

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# 243759 7-Aug-2009 05:24

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Networking-modems/ADSL-modems/auction-233457953.htm

mejobloggs

32 posts

Geek

# 244037 7-Aug-2009 19:28

Does anyone know if the ST536 supports Full Bridge mode?

Cause as Athlonite points out I can save $80 or so getting on from Trademe :)

Also I've just read something I don't understand. Something like for full bridge your ISP needs to support PPPoE, but NZ isp's only support PPPoA, so you can't do full bridge in NZ..

Can someone clear that up for me? If it's true, or I've just misunderstood etc

munkieboy

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# 244041 7-Aug-2009 19:36

Good call on the Draytek routers, the 2700e (GE for the wireless version) are great routers.

mejobloggs

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# 244655 10-Aug-2009 11:35

Also I've just read something I don't understand. Something like for full bridge your ISP needs to support PPPoE, but NZ isp's only support PPPoA, so you can't do full bridge in NZ..

Is anyone able to explain this to me?

I've now got a ST536 but unsure how/if I can get it to do full bridge