The search for a VDSL2 modem

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › The search for a VDSL2 modem

insane

2277 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 370

Trusted

Subscriber

Topic # 94949 22-Dec-2011 21:37

As the title suggests I'm on the hunt for a VDSL2 modem

If anyone has any experience with the following models I'll be keen to hear your thoughts in regards to any issues you've stumbled across. Given that I'll be running my VoIP phone over this which 4 other people use, I can't have a buggy router and don't really want to spend the $$$ on the Cisco 887va, even though I can get one for around $350 or so.

CellPipe 7130
Thompson TG789
ZyXEL P870H-51a v2
Fritzbox 7390
Netcomm NB11W
Cisco 887va

Thanks,

1 | 2

3396 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 397

Trusted

Reply # 560823 22-Dec-2011 21:50

I have 3 of the Thompsons and run them all in full bridge mode. Their web GUI sucks monkey balls with mistakes everywhere. I hear the ZyXel also has full bridge. I think your probably best to run in full bridge and get a decent router in there.

hellonearthisman

1818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 52

Trusted

Reply # 560827 22-Dec-2011 22:01

I heard the Fritzbox 7390 is really nice.

sbiddle

26742 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6237

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 560855 23-Dec-2011 05:54

If you want a modem/router get a Fritzbox. If you're wanting a good VDSL2 modem get a Zyxel P870 and run it in transparent bridge mode with a decent router behind it.

ArcticSilver

673 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 112

Reply # 560861 23-Dec-2011 07:33

I have a ZyXEL here, recommended by Unleash. Its been running solid in a fully bridged mode to my PFSense box since day one. Haven't had any noticeable outages.

Edit: Looks like the model you linked, but do not have the model number on me. I would guess it is the same.

NZFINEST

185 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

Trusted

Reply # 560863 23-Dec-2011 07:42

i have used both the cellpipe & the fritzbox. fritzbox wins hands down

Anything I suggest or say is my own thoughts and not provided by anyone else unless stated

zCelicaDude

170 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Subscriber

Reply # 560870 23-Dec-2011 08:33

I have the Thomson TG789vn ,

Awesome router, except as mentioned sometimes a little bit buggy interface, my one has blown the WiFi, so when using the routers internal wireless, it reboots the router after too much activity on the wlan..

So with the Wifi switched off, rock solid 90 days uptime with VDSL2 and great speeds, 50mb/10mb

Thomson appear to have a bit of a hardware heat issue regarding wifi, I have around 20 wirelessly connected devices at one time ... maybe I am using it beyond the average hardcore user??

sbiddle

26742 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6237

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 560871 23-Dec-2011 08:38

zCelicaDude: I have the Thomson TG789vn ,

Awesome router, except as mentioned sometimes a little bit buggy interface, my one has blown the WiFi, so when using the routers internal wireless, it reboots the router after too much activity on the wlan..

So with the Wifi switched off, rock solid 90 days uptime with VDSL2 and great speeds, 50mb/10mb

Thomson appear to have a bit of a hardware heat issue regarding wifi, I have around 20 wirelessly connected devices at one time ... maybe I am using it beyond the average hardcore user??

There aren't any all in one units that I'd ever recommend for more than 10 WiFi devices. You need to spend some money buying decent hardware, all the Ubiquiti AP's will happily support 50 devices.

insane

2277 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 370

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 561102 24-Dec-2011 03:49

ArcticSilver: I have a ZyXEL here, recommended by Unleash. Its been running solid in a fully bridged mode to my PFSense box since day one. Haven't had any noticeable outages.

Edit: Looks like the model you linked, but do not have the model number on me. I would guess it is the same.

Yeah will be running it through a Smoothwall and then into a Linksys E4200 serving as an AP, so only care about how good it is as a modem. With my current setup I'm just using a Dynalink RTA1320 in half-bridge mode and that works well. Sadly the E4200 as a router with tomato-usb isn't as grunty as I had hoped for so have to keep the Smoothwall in the mix.

Do you know whether that ZyXel supports vlan tagging? I believe it needs to support TPM to be placed on vlan10 to support the later style VDSL2 connections as opposed to the initial ones which used PPPoA.

I guess my final question would be has anyone tried several different modems on the same line, and which one gave you the best sync rate?

camo786

146 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 561111 24-Dec-2011 07:49

Here are my thoughts on the one's I have Tried

Cellpipe, unstable crashes regularly - tried 3 of them

Zyxel first one I got crashed regularly, 2nd replacement was OK but only used for about 5 days

Thomsen - stable but awful interface, No QOS and could not get PPTP to work

Draytek - Took serveral goes to get this one to work, finally resolved after turning off an option for hardware NAT - this one would be my favourite

Ideally IMO best solutions is Zyxel or or Thomsen in bridge Mode with a decent router

ArcticSilver

673 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 112

Reply # 561121 24-Dec-2011 08:30

insane:
ArcticSilver: I have a ZyXEL here, recommended by Unleash. Its been running solid in a fully bridged mode to my PFSense box since day one. Haven't had any noticeable outages.

Edit: Looks like the model you linked, but do not have the model number on me. I would guess it is the same.

Yeah will be running it through a Smoothwall and then into a Linksys E4200 serving as an AP, so only care about how good it is as a modem. With my current setup I'm just using a Dynalink RTA1320 in half-bridge mode and that works well. Sadly the E4200 as a router with tomato-usb isn't as grunty as I had hoped for so have to keep the Smoothwall in the mix.

Do you know whether that ZyXel supports vlan tagging? I believe it needs to support TPM to be placed on vlan10 to support the later style VDSL2 connections as opposed to the initial ones which used PPPoA.

I guess my final question would be has anyone tried several different modems on the same line, and which one gave you the best sync rate?

The ZyXEL I am using is VLAN'ed on the WAN, so yes I would asume so.

I used to run a RTA1320 too, 1/2 bridged with PFSense, but since VDSL2 I have been running fully bridged as it is no longer PPPoA.

As I said, its been running solid, without issue since day one. It also seems to be well built. However I have not tried any other VDSL2 modems on my connection.

insane

2277 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 370

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 561305 24-Dec-2011 22:56

Thanks for the reviews guys, looks like it's going to be a the ZyXel as it seems a little cheaper and I only need a modem.

The Draytek does looks like a well featured box though, would probably take that over the Cisco 887va.

I've got access to a CellPipe 7130 which I'll use for comparison and will try borrow a new Dynalink which a colleague is testing, but not sure if he'll be able to last a day without internets ;)

I guess I should do a little review for GZ when my line is installed...

insane

2277 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 370

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 567146 10-Jan-2012 22:27

Well using the ZyXEL now, it's getting around 4mbps more than the reference CellPipe 7130 which is good, but still only getting 31/10 mbps sync rate. Upload is a little slower than expected as I've setup QoS so I can game in peace.
Overall happy so far, but will need to do some more testing though

Maxnet VDSL Speedtest

networkn

17544 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5047

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 567149 10-Jan-2012 22:34

I'd be interested to know if you are running a Zyxel (What I recommend (and sell)) if anyone has any issues with Youtube streaming speeds?

Cheers

insane

2277 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 370

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 567177 11-Jan-2012 01:16

networkn: I'd be interested to know if you are running a Zyxel (What I recommend (and sell)) if anyone has any issues with Youtube streaming speeds?

Cheers

Yeah have the P870H-51a-v2, no problems with Youtube at all in full-bridge with a E4200 running TomatoUSB.

Getting between 12mbps and 22mbps from the google cache we use, buffered the 1hour 15 minute youtube test video in 1 minute 27 seconds.

What issues are your users reporting?

networkn

17544 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5047

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 567245 11-Jan-2012 09:54

Not users, me. I have a 71Mbit/10Mbit connection and I can't stream 240p videos properly let alone a 1080p.

I was trying to eliminate the modem as an option because I can download everything else except youtube, just fine.

1 | 2