Modem and router vs router/modem

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aboylikedave

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#55392 2-Jan-2010 19:35

Hi there

I've got a wireless router (Buffallo WHR-HP-54 Broadcom) as I used to have a cable connection overseas.

Now that I will be going onto ADSL, can I just connect my router to an ADSL modem, or does anyone know whether a combined wireless router/modem is in any way preferable to separate ADSL modem and wireless router?

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sbiddle

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#286543 2-Jan-2010 20:21

Providing the ADSL supports half bridge mode you can use your existing router with it.

Most people regard a single unit as a lot simpler but plenty of people have preferences for two devices, particularly if they have a good router that may be running 3rd party firmware combined with a good ADSL modem.

aboylikedave

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#286553 2-Jan-2010 21:40

sbiddle: Providing the ADSL supports half bridge mode you can use your existing router with it.

Most people regard a single unit as a lot simpler but plenty of people have preferences for two devices, particularly if they have a good router that may be running 3rd party firmware combined with a good ADSL modem.

Yes that also comes into it - I've got DD-WRT on my router and though I barely use its functionality at the moment I'm sure it will be useful in the future e.g. if I get into VOIP etc.

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Ragnor

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#286554 2-Jan-2010 21:47

An all in one unit has the convenience factor but separate router to modem has the reliability, functionality and flexibility advantage especially if you have a router capable of running some of the custom linux based firmware's such as DD-WRT and Tomato.

I've yet to see any any retail consumer all in one device have as good: web admin ui, QoS setting, ability to withstand tons of connections eg: bit torrent.. and more when compared to DD-WRT or Tomato.

Most ADSL connections in NZ are provided over Telecom wholesale equipment which for whatever reason uses PPPOA and not PPPOE this means you'll want a modem that can do PPPOA half bridging (aka ip extension).

You can get a basic ADSL2+ modem that does PPPOA half bridge (aka IP Extension) for <$60
eg: TP-Link TD-8840

coffeebaron

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#286603 3-Jan-2010 05:36

or get a Draytek Vigor 120, does PPPoA - PPPoE bridging.

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Ragnor

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#286745 3-Jan-2010 21:20

Yeah but the Vigor is 2x the price at ~$120 and pppoa half bridge is a "good enough" solution for home use.

hamish225

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#286768 3-Jan-2010 22:54

if you have just one unit, it uses less power :)

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#286800 4-Jan-2010 09:57

As a caveat to the 'separate modem & router' theory I have to say that I have run this configuration for a number of years now and have tried pretty much every different method in existence to get the 2 devices working together. At the end of the day, there is no simple, 100% reliable or issue free method to achieve this. If you don't mind p#ssing about with your modem config for weeks on end, then sure, go for a dual device setup. If you want your setup to work pretty much as soon as you plug it in, go for a single device!