ADSL modem recommendations

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dclegg

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#105725 9-Jul-2012 14:28

I currently have a Netgear modem/router that is only being used as an ADSL modem, with router and LAN capabilities handled by an Apple Extreme. I'm looking to repace the Netgear with an ADSL modem, and am after recommendations. I seem to recall the DrayTek Vigor 120 being looked upon favourably. Is that still a good goto device for this scenario?

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#652962 9-Jul-2012 15:00

If you are using the apple extreme as a router, I can highly recommend the Dynalink 1320 for half bridging. I have used these for a few businesses around Christchurch, half bridged into a PFSense box. None of them have fallen over.

They are also a broadcom chipset, which sync's well with the ADSL2 roadside cabinet's.

dclegg

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#652974 9-Jul-2012 15:13

ArcticSilver: If you are using the apple extreme as a router, I can highly recommend the Dynalink 1320 for half bridging. I have used these for a few businesses around Christchurch, half bridged into a PFSense box. None of them have fallen over.

They are also a broadcom chipset, which sync's well with the ADSL2 roadside cabinet's.

Thanks for the suggestion. And the price is closer to the $60ish I quoted my wife :-)

sidefx

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#653013 9-Jul-2012 16:05

dclegg:
ArcticSilver: If you are using the apple extreme as a router, I can highly recommend the Dynalink 1320 for half bridging. I have used these for a few businesses around Christchurch, half bridged into a PFSense box. None of them have fallen over.

They are also a broadcom chipset, which sync's well with the ADSL2 roadside cabinet's.

Thanks for the suggestion. And the price is closer to the $60ish I quoted my wife :-)

Or look on trademe... even with shipping there a plenty for under $10; both 1320 and 1320v6. Buy 2 or 3, see which one works best and keep the others as spares since they apparently overheat and quit working after 1-2 years. ;-)

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dclegg

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#653015 9-Jul-2012 16:07

sidefx
Or look on trademe... even with shipping there a plenty for under $10; both 1320 and 1320v6. Buy 2 or 3, see which one works best and keep the others as spares since they apparently overheat and quit working after 1-2 years. ;-)

Hmm.. not sure I'm keen on a "consumable" modem. I'd be looking for a device that shouldn't need replacing for a few years.

Ragnor

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#653021 9-Jul-2012 16:22

The Dynalink RTA1320's do typically run hot and burn out pretty quickly, people even mod them eg: get a cheap heatsink from jaycar and slap it on the main chip, replace some of the caps with higher rated ones.

TP Link TD-8840 is another option same chipset, no woverheating issues.. however they're end of line and been replaced by the 8840T (which is a different chipet and doesn't have ip extension/half bridge). Don't get a 8840T but if you can find a non T it may be the ticket.

If you can't be bothered with 2nd hand or modding just get the Draytek Vigor 120.

sidefx

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#653023 9-Jul-2012 16:23

Yeah, I weighed it up against the Vigor120 but just couldn't quite justify the price of the draytek; since I'm considering VDSL in the nearish future and hoping UFB reaches our area at some point in the future.

So I got 3 of the dynalinks from trademe to run with a Gargoyle TP-Link. I think the most I paid was $5 and the others were $1.50 and $2, lol. At that price I'm happy with a "consumable" modem. And it's been running really well, though getting it setup initially was a bit of a pain.

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ArcticSilver

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#653024 9-Jul-2012 16:24

I wouldn't think overheating would be an issue when half bridged, considering the routing tasks are offloaded. Plus I have had one for around 2 years now and still going strong.

dclegg

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#653025 9-Jul-2012 16:24

Ragnor: The Dynalink RTA1320's do typically run hot and burn out pretty quickly, people even mod them eg: get a cheap heatsink from jaycar and slap it on the main chip, replace some of the caps with higher rated ones.

TP Link TD-8840 is another option same chipset, no woverheating issues.. however they're end of line and been replaced by the 8840T (which is a different chipet and doesn't have ip extension/half bridge). Don't get a 8840T but if you can find a non T it may be the ticket.

If you can't be bothered with 2nd hand or modding just get the Draytek Vigor 120.

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I don't really have the time or inclination to muck around too much with this. Sounds like the Draytek is currently winning the race.

dolsen

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#653046 9-Jul-2012 17:00

I've just today ordered a new draytek vigor 120 (they just came back in stock). From what I've heard, it's a good modem and the main reason for me to choose it is the ppoa/ppoe relay they support so that I can use ppoe authentication and have ipv6 support from my ISP.

I currently have a rta1320v6 modem in half bridge mode, and, it's good, however I don't have any way for it to support ipv6 currently.

Was looking around for a 2nd half one, but, haven't seen any - well, I did see this one, just after it closed (had a search for Draytek, but, not Vigor 120) so missed out on a $26 one :-(

Something I saw, today, after ordering the new one, was this at a $1 reserve. I'm not sure whether that also supports ppoa/ppoe relay (another older draytek modem / 4 port router I have does, so, this one might). Having said that, some of the older draytek modems did not like the new line cards in the cabinets and would only sync at a low rate. I don't know if this one is affected (like my other old draytek modem is). Someone else might have more information on that, but, if it does support both the ppoa/ppoe relay, and have a high sync rate it may be worth seeing what that one goes for.

dclegg

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#653052 9-Jul-2012 17:03

dolsen:
I've just today ordered a new draytek vigor 120 (they just came back in stock).

dclegg

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#653054 9-Jul-2012 17:04

dolsen:
I've just today ordered a new draytek vigor 120 (they just came back in stock).

Where did you order it from, and how much did you pay for it? The cheapest I've seen it is around $85, but when I checked earlier there was no stock available at any of those retailers.

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#653063 9-Jul-2012 17:09

dclegg:
dolsen:
I've just today ordered a new draytek vigor 120 (they just came back in stock).

Where did you order it from, and how much did you pay for it? The cheapest I've seen it is around $85, but when I checked earlier there was no stock available at any of those retailers.

Ascent. I asked both Ascent and snappernet (distributors of Draytek in NZ) and they said they had a new shipment late last week/ weekend. I ordered this morning (even though their site said out of stock) and it's on its way to me as we speak.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=376438

That's the price I paid.
Interesting, some other sites I looked at they say a 1 year warranty, but this one is 60 months...

dclegg

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#653066 9-Jul-2012 17:16

dolsen:

Ascent. I asked both Ascent and snappernet (distributors of Draytek in NZ) and they said they had a new shipment late last week/ weekend. I ordered this morning (even though their site said out of stock) and it's on its way to me as we speak.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=376438

That's the price I paid.
Interesting, some other sites I looked at they say a 1 year warranty, but this one is 60 months...

Tx. Think I'll bite the bullet tonight, and just order that one from Ascent. With free shipping, it probably ends up being similar in cost. Better inform the wife of the budget overrun first though :-)

dolsen

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#653831 11-Jul-2012 06:57

dclegg:

Tx. Think I'll bite the bullet tonight, and just order that one from Ascent. With free shipping, it probably ends up being similar in cost. Better inform the wife of the budget overrun first though :-)

My one arrived yesterday and it's working well. Not sure if you've brought yours yet, if not, there is a second hand one on Trademe here that should keep you below your budget if you are ok buying second hand.

I was a bit surprised with the feel of the modem, quite light and feels (to me) like cheap plastic. Having said that, it's what inside that counts and all reports on that is that it's good.

dclegg

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#653848 11-Jul-2012 08:15

dolsen:

My one arrived yesterday and it's working well. Not sure if you've brought yours yet, if not, there is a second hand one on Trademe here that should keep you below your budget if you are ok buying second hand.

I was a bit surprised with the feel of the modem, quite light and feels (to me) like cheap plastic. Having said that, it's what inside that counts and all reports on that is that it's good.

Mine was shipped yesterday from Ascent and should arrive today. Yeah, they look cheap, but as long as they do the job, I'm not overly concerned about.

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