[Snap] Simple modem options for VDSL on SNAP

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Biglegs

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#129603 21-Sep-2013 09:45

Greetings;
I'd appreciate members thought on my situation. I'm currently happily on adsl2 with SNAP, but recently realised I should be able to get good performance from VDSL (confirmed by SNAP), and of course the prices is now far more attractive.

I'm quite happy with my current router - an RT-AC66U and I have dedicated VOIP hardware. I've always preferred keeping my router separate from the modem, but SNAP only provides fritzbox models with bells and whistles I don't need - and won't recommend an alternative.

Surfing prior posts on this forum, there appears to be few simple VDSL2 modems - the ZyXEL P870H-51a v2 gets plenty of mentions - but everything else seems to be full blown router/APs as well.

So do I pay up $275 for a piece of hardware that has 80% features I don't require, and I don't intend to use, but I do get guaranteed support from SNAP. Or do I go with one of these under $200 ZyXEL modems and hope that I have few problems configuring? I hear that they run fine, but have found no doco on configuring them to run on SNAP. Performance-wise - would I be better off running one of these in bridge mode, rather than using the fritzbox as a modem router to my RT-AC66U?

If I've missed something, I'm happy to be informed!

sbiddle

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#899403 21-Sep-2013 12:59

Draytek or ZYxel take all of 30 seconds to configure for bridge mode.

Lorenceo

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#899404 21-Sep-2013 12:59

I'm using a Telecom Technicolor TG589vn v2 in bridge mode with an Asus RT-N16. I paid $159 for it directly from Telecom.
Performance wise you'll be better off with your N66U. The fritzboxes are only good for those who want an all in one solution IMO.

Configuring bridge mode on VDSL is pretty simple. On the modem select bridge mode, and tag packets as VLAN 10. On your router set it to PPPoE with your ISP username and password. If the modem is doing VLAN tagging that should be all you need to do to authenticate. If it can't, you need to set your router to do it.

AKLWestie

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#899444 21-Sep-2013 15:35

Lorenceo: I'm using a Telecom Technicolor TG589vn v2 in bridge mode with an Asus RT-N16. I paid $159 for it directly from Telecom.
Performance wise you'll be better off with your N66U. The fritzboxes are only good for those who want an all in one solution IMO.

Configuring bridge mode on VDSL is pretty simple. On the modem select bridge mode, and tag packets as VLAN 10. On your router set it to PPPoE with your ISP username and password. If the modem is doing VLAN tagging that should be all you need to do to authenticate. If it can't, you need to set your router to do it.

+1, if you do not want to use Zyxel.

Bugzptr

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#899495 21-Sep-2013 17:09

I've used the Zyxel with a Snap VDSL connection and it was painless to setup. I have it in bridge mode to an RT-N16. Works very well.

Biglegs

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#901617 24-Sep-2013 07:22

Thanks guys; that's useful stuff and makes me feel more comfortable with buying and configuring my own unit! A thread elsewhere doesn't seem to offer much hope for the performance of the new Dreytec 130 modem. The ZXYTEL looks like the go - a search doesn't find anyone selling the Technicolor TG589vn unit.

Now to find the cheapest deal on the P870H-51a !

Biglegs

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#905794 1-Oct-2013 16:14

POSTSCRIPT:

Bought the ZyXEL. Chorus guy in this afternoon and now all setup and working. For anyone discovering this thread: the only thing that initially tripped me up configuring BRIDGE mode was the default 'layer 2' setting under WAN on the modem, which was setup was for MSC mode, not VLAN MUX mode - and when I went ahead and created an internet connection under this; the settings for VLANMUXID and VLAN802.1P were disabled and I spent a few minutes try to work out how the hell to change them. The solution: REMOVE the layer2 interface connection, and add a new one, making sure your select VLAN MUX MODE as the type. From there its just as the guys above said.

Day one and I'm already 47mb down and 10mb up. Happy chap. Thanks everyone. 6 days since requesting SNAP to change me to VDSL and I'm up and running. Not sure what's happening in some of the other SNAP threads!

Quic Broadband

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Oblivian

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#905803 1-Oct-2013 16:26

Biglegs: POSTSCRIPT:

Thanks everyone. 6 days since requesting SNAP to change me to VDSL and I'm up and running. Not sure what's happening in some of the other SNAP threads!

Its likely a 50:1 good v bad install (or I suspect higher), but due to lack of good reports like this and GZ good google ranking - all the unhappy ones ones looking for others views on snap installs to feed their own frustrations seem to find their way here to complain too it seems :)

hio77

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#905829 1-Oct-2013 16:51

Oblivian:
Its likely a 50:1 good v bad install (or I suspect higher), but due to lack of good reports like this and GZ good google ranking - all the unhappy ones ones looking for others views on snap installs to feed their own frustrations seem to find their way here to complain too it seems :)

thing is, if you have a good install, its great. short of if your one to tinker with the performance of the connection, you have no reason to spend you time on it..

if you have bad installation, generally your due for days if not weeks of dealing with chorus to get it sorted.

Biglegs: Day one and I'm already 47mb down and 10mb up. Happy chap.

sounds like a pretty good sync, whats your attenuation like out of curiosity?

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eXDee

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#905848 1-Oct-2013 17:40

Someone else i know got a very quick sign up on Snap VDSL this week and the helpdesk even gave general settings for the Zyxel as a starting point.

Biglegs

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#905855 1-Oct-2013 17:49

Hoi77: about 5db

exDee: that's interesting. I received vague pointers to the Draytek (whose 130 VDSL modem is subject to a negative thread around here) but no offers for any other assistance - they really wanted you to go for the Fitz. I wasn't about to install one of these as a way overspec'd modem! They really need to have a supported option for a modem/bridge!

hio77

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#905858 1-Oct-2013 17:53

Biglegs: Hoi77: about 5db

exDee: that's interesting. I received vague pointers to the Draytek (whose 130 VDSL modem is subject to a negative thread around here) but no offers for any other assistance - they really wanted you to go for the Fitz. I wasn't about to install one of these as a way overspec'd modem! They really need to have a supported option for a modem/bridge!

5db, your in good standing for a 17a profile then! exciting sync rates could be in your future yet!

i wasnt so keen on getting a fritz at first, i like not having all my eggs in one basket... but the compelling points for me, was the fact that IPv6 is fully supported, spectrum graphs easily obtainable and the fact that i didnt have to go out hunting for the right device to bridge and all - which would have properly been a draytek 130, reading others results with theirs.. im glad i didnt..

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Scrubb

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#908867 6-Oct-2013 18:44

I've just signed up with Snap and will be using a FritzBox simply because I wasn't aware of any other devices which supported VLAN tagging until now. Looks like I read this thread a bit too late!

I've always been a fan of Linksys/Cisco but it looks like they don't have anything which supports 802.1Q in the consumer market so might look into one of the Zyxel units and see what goodies they provide, but I'll try out this Fritz first.

I'm sure there will be nothing wrong with the Fritx, but I'm sure a unit focused towards less tasks rather than spending precious cycles attending to other possibly unused features might be a bit better in the future, but we'll see how it works out for the first few months.

Biglegs

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#908875 6-Oct-2013 19:01

I'm happy with SNAP as an ISP - and to date I can't fault their service. BUT. I think they could be a little more helpful with customers who display signs that they know what they are doing, and require something other than a pre-canned solution. How hard can it be to work out the configuration to a couple of modems that will work with their service? They can still state that customers using these products are on their own for problems.