Help buying a Modem

nightsky · #1 23-07-2009, 12:19 AM

G'Day,
Because Telstra is going to charge for paying the phone bill manually (at the post office)
I've decided to change phone companies and also go ADSL2+.What I would like to know, if I stay with my internet server and they supply the modem this is the cost.
Billion 5210S which is a few years old and it's USB 1 cost $144 includes $50 setup
Billion 7300 which is also a few yrs old $164 includes $50 setup
Billion 7402L $264 includes $50 setup
If I buy my own modem I just pay the $50 setup.I know nothing about routers etc.I just what a modem to get me on the net with out all the bells and whistle's.so I'd really appreciate some info from members as to the best modem that suites my needs.Or do you think the modems mentioned above would do.Thanks in advance
Cheers
Arthur

Tandum (Robin) · #2 23-07-2009, 12:48 AM

Arthur,
I work in this area and I've had nothing but trouble with Billion modems failing, don't do it. I've had far more success with netgear and dlink modems and have recently moved to Linksys, which are made by cisco.
This LinkSys Modem is a basic one port modem and under $70.

nightsky · #3 23-07-2009, 01:07 AM

G'Day Robin.
Thanks for your reply and info.I have used Dlink before I went to ADSL and never had a problem with them either.The one I use now is Speed Touch Home and I've never had a problem with it.I just was not sure about the ADSL 2+,so thanks again I'll check them both out.
Cheers
Arthur

Tandum (Robin) · #4 23-07-2009, 01:13 AM

Arthur,
Speedtouch is an Alcatel thing made for Telstra. I don't like them as they are hard to configure properly. You may well find that it is an ADSL2+ modem anyway. Look at the label under it then look it up on line.

nightsky · #5 23-07-2009, 01:41 AM

G'Day Robin,
I pulled the telephone cable out when looking underneath the modem duhh!!
the only thing underneath is the expiry date 2001,so it's pretty old

I forgot to ask you,does it make any difference if a modem is USB 1 or 2
Cheers
Arthur

Tandum (Robin) · #6 23-07-2009, 02:01 AM

Do not use USB to connect to a modem, always use a network cable, ethernet.
There should be a model number on it ... look up the model.
I'd suggest it was made in 2001, if so It will not be adsl2+.

nightsky · #7 23-07-2009, 02:08 AM

Thanks Robin I'll check it out,now I'm of to bed

thanks for your help,I'll let you know how I go

Cheers
Arthur

netwolf · #8 23-07-2009, 02:52 AM

I have used Billions for a while now and I find them resonable. Recent firmware has caused some issues with VOIP and wireless, and so i got a seperate router for Wireless network.

My previous modem best Router was WRT54G (this is still a fav) but you need a modem to go with it. I replaced this with ADSL/Wireless all in onw WAG54G v2 biggest mistake i ever made. I have a very very long thred on whirlpool on this trying to get Linksys to fix things on it. Eventually i switched to Billion for VOIP+ADSL+Wireless the 7401 i have at my Parents place has been quiet good. Linksys might be owned by Cisco but dont expect Cisco performance ont he Linksys routers. I was lucky that we were able to get there Ear due to the noise we made and got local Tech support to help us with esclation for firmware upgrades. In fairness, I have read more positive things about there modems in the recent year. Also I thinkn much of there stuff is also badged as TP (at Jaycar) or Buffalo in the states.

More recently i am using a 7402VGO, which i got lots of wirless issues with (thing couldbe the number of other AP's in the area). So i got ASUS wireless router to go with the 7402VGO, the Asus with custom firmware also lets me watch IPTV over wireless on TPG.

My last few purchases for myself family and friends have been via this shop. This chap is very helpfull on the phone and does not try to sell you the most expensive modem. Instead he talked me down to the most reliable one. I should have listened to him.
http://cormain.com.au/

I am seeing some good things with regard to these two models from Dynalnk
Dynalink RTA1046VW
Dynalink RTA1025W

Have a look at this list on Whirlpool
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...s.cfm?t=969076
and this sub forum for discussions from current users
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/82

A friend of mine has a netcomm and it has a simple CD that makes setup very easy. But I have also had friends with Netcomms that tend to want to reset and lose all there settings now and then.

As Robin advised dont go with the USB models.

nightsky · #9 23-07-2009, 06:23 AM

G'Day Fahim,
Thanks for your reply,I check out the links you posted.
Cheers
Arthur

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #10 23-07-2009, 12:37 PM

Well, I work in the industry, actually working for a local Brisbane ISP. I wouldn't touch a Billion if you paid me. What do you need the modem to do? How many Ethernet ports will it require (i.e. how many computers will be connected to it)? Will it require Wireless? ECN can do both phones and ADSL2+, although I cannot guarantee ADSL2+ due to a variety of issues. The best way to see is to place an order and see what happens. PM me with your fnn (phone number) and I'll be happy to do a SQ test for you (rough test to see if the number is eligible for an ADSL service). Our pricing can be found at the following 2 links for both ADSL and ADSL2+.

http://www.ecn.net.au/forms_v2/Broadband%20Now!%20Powernet%20Appli cation%20National.pdf

and

http://www.ecn.net.au/forms_v2/Power...0Agreement.pdf

I don't do a lot with the ADSL, my specialty area is with the web hosting and Hosted Exchange, but I'll be only too happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Cheers,

Dave

edit: don't use USB as others have said. Use Ethernet. USB requires the installation of USB drivers for the modem, Ethernet requires no drivers and is far more reliable from my experience. I'd recommend a Netcomm NB6, or if you require more Ethernet ports and maybe Wireless (good idea for future proofing imho), I'd recommend the Netgear DG834G (or the newer DG834N).

nightsky · #11 23-07-2009, 04:26 PM

G'Day David,
Thanks for your reply,as I said in my original post "I just what a modem to get me on the net with out all the bells and whistle's" I know I can get ADS2+ there is no other computer or anything else that will be using the modem.But I have enough information now to decide which modem to buy.So I'd like to thank you and everyone who has replied to my post.
Cheers
Arthur

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #12 23-07-2009, 09:20 PM

Excellent news. Bells and whistles is very vague. In my industry, it pays to be exact, hence my exact questions ;-) Call it habit!

As to ADSL2+ - Telstra etc might promise you it over the phone, it doesn't mean you'll actually get it. Could be no ports at the DSLAM, you might be too far from the exchange, you could be pair gain or on a rim, problems with the line (excessive noise rejection) etc. In most cases, a SQ test is a good indicator, but not wholly 100% accurate. I can guarantee you that if you're getting ADSL2+ with Telstra, that's the test that they would have ran when talking to you on the phone ;-)

With modems, I generally recommend buying them from the ISP - most ISPs will NOT support a modem that they didn't sell you, especially Telstra. There are simply far too many manufacturers and models out there for it to be feasible and it's far better to refer the customer onto the modem manufacturer for support than try and second guess a modem you're not familiar with.

Oh, and tp-links are horrid modems, they don't like to sync up quickly on ericson DSLAMs and their reset procedure is truly horrid and weird. It's another brand I'd never recommend.

One final thing - ADSL2+ is not the be all and end all connections. It usually tries to sync up as fast as possible, usually at the cost of stability. I'm not a fan of ADSL2+ and usually recommend open1 products as an alternative (8000/384k plans). Far more stable from my experience. Just remember I deal with this day in, day out, 5 days a week, for the past 20 months.

Cead mile failte.

Dave

edit: just remember as well - if your ADSL connection is sharing with phones/faxes/foxtel/back2base electronic security alarm, you MUST filter them with [an] ADSL micro filter[s]. If you're not sure how to do it, PM me and I'll walk you through the process. If you have a lot of devices plugged into the same line, it's best to get an Electrician out to do a central filter. I'd recommend no more than 3 filters in a house. They cost around $15-20 apiece on average.

nightsky · #13 14-08-2009, 06:15 PM

G'Day,
Just a update regarding modem,I settled on the TP-Link ADSL2+ Router and it was so easy to set up I didn't even read the manual

cost was just under $60 including postage plus a phone filter.and so far things are running good.Thanks to everyone who replied,I appreciated it.
Cheers
Arthur

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #14 14-08-2009, 06:31 PM

Awesome stuff. I'm pretty sure I know the modem in question, having set a few of them up @ work. Not a fan of tp-links, they are NIGHTMARES to reset should you have to. tp-link is also made by Netcomm btw. They do seem to work pretty good and they do seem to be pretty reliable and that's all that really should matter.

Dave

nightsky · #15 14-08-2009, 10:27 PM

G'Day Dave,
It works great for me,as regards to resetting,it's a breeze just reset to the default put your user name and password in and Bob's your Uncle.I've tried that a few times just to see what happens.When I installed the modem I just unplugged the old one swapped the 2 cables over and turned on the power that was it.Btw the model number is TD-8840
Cheers
Arthur