Recommendation Please: VDSL Modem... I want everything...

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dmartora

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#136864 11-Dec-2013 12:49

OK folks, I've looked around and I apologise for any duplication, but I'm seeking some specific guidance.

I have a gigabit home network and I have just signed up for slingshot unlimited plus vdsl. I know that slingshot provide a modem (at a modest price), but just not sure it's going to cut it for me.

I have many, many gigabit devices (from AppleTVs to printers to TVs etc) hanging off the network. I also have many, many wireless devices (from smartphones to tablets to laptops to guests to repeaters) hanging off the network

Internal streaming is a big requirement across both wired and wireless, as well as file transfer speeds.

I want a router that will meet the demands of the high internet usage (approx 400GB+ a month), as my current ADSL2 modem does beautifully (but obviously with hopefully the higher download speeds), and that can also serve the high wireless and wired demands of (lots of) streaming and dowloading.

Yes, I realise price point will be an issue, so let's target up to $750 if that helps in anyway.. with some space if needed.

All help, guidance, advice and direction... appreciated.

With thanks

Danny

chevrolux

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#949340 11-Dec-2013 13:05

Finally someone who isn't afraid to spend a couple of dollars!

Ok first off, don't get an all-in-one.

1. Modem
Either the Zyxel P870 or Draytek DV130 will do you for a VDSL modem. Either of these will be bridged to the router and won't need to perform any routing tasks.

2. Router
It all depends what you really want but a good starting point would be a Draytek 2130. It is a Open-WRT based router meaning there are lots of cool little things that can be modded. It is also very capable out of the box before you log in to the CLI and muck around with it.

3. Switch
You may need extra switch ports for more wired devices. I would look for maybe an 8-port Gigabit switch with some (normally would be 4) power-of-ethernet ports. Makes it easier to add PoE devices like wireless APs and IP cameras etc. Level One & D-Link make some pretty good switches at good price points. They are all much the same at the unmanaged level.

4. Wireless
Ubiquiti Unifi Pro wireless access points. These have dual band wifi (2.4GHz & 5Ghz) and will run off the aforementioned PoE switch. These are really good wireless APs and con be positioned to suit very easily due to running on PoE. You may need one or two of these depending on the required coverage area.

dmartora

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#949356 11-Dec-2013 13:17

chevrolux: Finally someone who isn't afraid to spend a couple of dollars!

Ok first off, don't get an all-in-one.

1. Modem
Either the Zyxel P870 or Draytek DV130 will do you for a VDSL modem. Either of these will be bridged to the router and won't need to perform any routing tasks.

2. Router
It all depends what you really want but a good starting point would be a Draytek 2130. It is a Open-WRT based router meaning there are lots of cool little things that can be modded. It is also very capable out of the box before you log in to the CLI and muck around with it.

3. Switch
You may need extra switch ports for more wired devices. I would look for maybe an 8-port Gigabit switch with some (normally would be 4) power-of-ethernet ports. Makes it easier to add PoE devices like wireless APs and IP cameras etc. Level One & D-Link make some pretty good switches at good price points. They are all much the same at the unmanaged level.

4. Wireless
Ubiquiti Unifi Pro wireless access points. These have dual band wifi (2.4GHz & 5Ghz) and will run off the aforementioned PoE switch. These are really good wireless APs and con be positioned to suit very easily due to running on PoE. You may need one or two of these depending on the required coverage area.

Thanks for the speedy response. Just a couple of questions if you'll allow.

You mentioned not to get an all-in-one. Happy to take the guidance, but the DV130 is a modem/router. Is the approach to use the hardware as a modem only and to just not use it as a router?

With switches, take your point. I have a multiple gigabit switches around the house as I cabled ethernet everywhere.

So... as an example of set up....

I could have the Draytek DV130 connected to the phone line at my broadboand entry point, have that then physically connected to the Draytek 2130 (not the wireless version then...) next to it, and somewhere at the optimum position in my house, connect the Ubiquiti AP to my wired network.

Sound like a configuration to use and abuse the best of my internet connection?

Inphinity

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#949360 11-Dec-2013 13:29

As an alternate option, I'd also suggest:

If you don't need 802.11ac and are happy with wifi-n, then Asus DSL-N66U.

If you do want ac, then Draytek DV130 bridged to an Asus RT-AC68U.

The Ubiquiti APs are great, though, and if you have a particularly large area, or interference issues, would be a good wifi option. For most average-sized homes, unless the AC68U is in a shielded cupboard in the basement or something, it should be fine.

chevrolux

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#949366 11-Dec-2013 13:34

Yep the DV130 needs to be wired to the 2130 as it will onyl be a layer 2 device with no routing abilities.

The 2130 is the router that will actually do the PPP authentication and will be the gateway for your network.

Then you can run ethernet cabling to suitable locations for the Unifi access points and you will be away!

charsleysa

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#950581 11-Dec-2013 18:55

My setup is the Fritz! Box with the Asus RT-AC66U as an A but we have the requirement of needing FXS for the legacy analogue phones.

I would recommend the Asus RT-AC66U/68U and the Zyxel or Draytek modem in full bridge mode (meaning that it's not used as a router, only as a VDSL modem) and then download the Merlin version of the Asus firmware for the router.

With this you can setup the router to trunk with your gigbit switch(es) allowing you up to 4gbps line speed between your core hardware for minimum latency and maximum throughput.

Since the Asus router has inbuilt wireless that should be able to service the current and adjacent rooms, but if you want AC throughout the house you'll need at least one more AC access point at the other side of the house, same with 5ghz network setups.

This setup will also be ready for up to Gigbit Fibre connections, any faster and you'll need industrial grade equipment, but by the time NZ gets speeds faster than Gigbit there will be consumer hardware available for that.

Regards
Stefan Andres Charsley

dmartora

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#967687 15-Jan-2014 17:37

I meant to say thank you for everyone's input. I'm definitely going to take on board some of the recommendations and guidance.

VDSL was switched on today. Oh my was that an unnecessarily painful experience.

Anyway, if I've learned one thing, it's that I should always come on here first. The slingshot provided modem (VB104W) is a complete bag of cr*p in so many ways... so many. Granted I'm using it as an all in one (modem wifi router) but only until I've got over the Christmas financial hole in a couple of weeks and can buy the right kit.

I'm looking forward to replacing it. Thanks again.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

eXDee

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#967696 15-Jan-2014 17:44

More info on what's bad about the VB104W?

chevrolux

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#967703 15-Jan-2014 17:57

The VB104W is a great little device. Nothing wrong with it.

dmartora

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#967776 15-Jan-2014 21:00

Just got off the phone with slingshot. My modem is duff. it's got progressively worse since my last post, which was reflective of a few glitches but now it's committing suicide.

It hangs after about 2 hours and requires a hard reset. DSL still syncs but internet connectivity fails. They can see the sessions going up and down at their end.

When that happens, it also drops all wired and wireless connections and you can't get into the modem until the 2nd or third hard reset.

They're sending me a new one.

It's an ugly little thing though with the writing on the front all squashed up and the LEDs/Alerts slightly unclear. Wireless range is a bit limited and for now I've just got another AP on another part of the network to pick up the flat spots. Also... quick start guide that comes with it, is wrong. Very wrong.

I'm still smarting because it has cost me a day to get VDSL installed, and all because of the modem, but when it works... it does what it says on the tin.

My speeds from the status page are shown in the pic.