Hi

After my recent question about the compatibility of my old router with an 
ADSL2/2+ connection, it turns out to be a moot point as the said router will 
now not connect at all. In fact, its syncing LED flashes at the normal rate 
to start with, then slows down and eventually stops. Even the 4-port switch 
part has stopped working. It is an ex-router!

So, for about £50 (maybe a bit more) what is a decent ADLS2/2+ router with 
4-port switch, wireless not required? Perhaps with a good long line length 
sensitivity. Definitely one that shows router stats (my even older Netgear 
DG814 doesn't do this).

So far I'm looking at:
ZyXEL Prestige 660HW-T1
NETGEAR DG834G
Linksys AG241
Billion BIPAC 5200

> After my recent question about the compatibility of my old router with an 
> ADSL2/2+ connection, it turns out to be a moot point as the said router 
> will now not connect at all. In fact, its syncing LED flashes at the 
> normal rate to start with, then slows down and eventually stops. Even the 
> 4-port switch part has stopped working. It is an ex-router!
>
> So, for about £50 (maybe a bit more) what is a decent ADLS2/2+ router with 
> 4-port switch, wireless not required? Perhaps with a good long line length 
> sensitivity. Definitely one that shows router stats (my even older Netgear 
> DG814 doesn't do this).
>
> So far I'm looking at:
> ZyXEL Prestige 660HW-T1
> NETGEAR DG834G
> Linksys AG241
> Billion BIPAC 5200


Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The basic 
version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to any of your 
shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2+.

Peter Crosland

"Grumps"  wrote in message 
news:6bis19F3ci8mrU1@mid.individual.net...
> Hi
>
> After my recent question about the compatibility of my old router with an 
> ADSL2/2+ connection, it turns out to be a moot point as the said router 
> will now not connect at all. In fact, its syncing LED flashes at the 
> normal rate to start with, then slows down and eventually stops. Even the 
> 4-port switch part has stopped working. It is an ex-router!
>
> So, for about £50 (maybe a bit more) what is a decent ADLS2/2+ router with 
> 4-port switch, wireless not required? Perhaps with a good long line length 
> sensitivity. Definitely one that shows router stats (my even older Netgear 
> DG814 doesn't do this).
>
> So far I'm looking at:
> ZyXEL Prestige 660HW-T1
> NETGEAR DG834G
> Linksys AG241
> Billion BIPAC 5200

I've been using some Edimax routers recently, and these are very good value.
For example see:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=584405

These provide:

1) DDNS client - so you can always find out your ISP-dynamic address from
elsewhere.

2) Access control option - so that you can nominate those IP addresses from
which you want to allow remote access (good for security!)

3) Port forwarding - so you can specify which application you allow to
communicate with the "home" computer.

4) DHCP pool summary - so you can identify the internal computer for which
you wish to set up port forwarding

... as well as all the basic features you would expect.

Many more expensive routers miss out on some of these features.

It would be nice for it to have a built-in ping facility so it could test
connectivity to a local PC, for example.

VPN support would be nice, but a little too much to ask for £18.99 plus VAT,
I think.

-- 
Graham J

"Graham J"  wrote in message 
news:4854d987$0$10638$fa0fcedb@news.zen.co.uk...
>
> "Grumps"  wrote in message 
> news:6bis19F3ci8mrU1@mid.individual.net...
>> Hi
>>
>> After my recent question about the compatibility of my old router with an 
>> ADSL2/2+ connection, it turns out to be a moot point as the said router 
>> will now not connect at all. In fact, its syncing LED flashes at the 
>> normal rate to start with, then slows down and eventually stops. Even the 
>> 4-port switch part has stopped working. It is an ex-router!
>>
>> So, for about £50 (maybe a bit more) what is a decent ADLS2/2+ router 
>> with 4-port switch, wireless not required? Perhaps with a good long line 
>> length sensitivity. Definitely one that shows router stats (my even older 
>> Netgear DG814 doesn't do this).
>>
>> So far I'm looking at:
>> ZyXEL Prestige 660HW-T1
>> NETGEAR DG834G
>> Linksys AG241
>> Billion BIPAC 5200
>
> I've been using some Edimax routers recently, and these are very good 
> value.
> For example see:
> http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=584405
>
> These provide:
>
> 1) DDNS client - so you can always find out your ISP-dynamic address from
> elsewhere.
>
> 2) Access control option - so that you can nominate those IP addresses 
> from
> which you want to allow remote access (good for security!)
>
> 3) Port forwarding - so you can specify which application you allow to
> communicate with the "home" computer.
>
> 4) DHCP pool summary - so you can identify the internal computer for which
> you wish to set up port forwarding
>
> ... as well as all the basic features you would expect.
>
> Many more expensive routers miss out on some of these features.
>
> It would be nice for it to have a built-in ping facility so it could test
> connectivity to a local PC, for example.
>
> VPN support would be nice, but a little too much to ask for £18.99 plus 
> VAT,
> I think.

Thanks.
I guess I should've mentioned that VPN and port forwarding are essential.

"Peter Crosland"  wrote in message 
news:eIqdnVWHaZjjpsnVRVnyiQA@posted.plusnet...
>> After my recent question about the compatibility of my old router with an 
>> ADSL2/2+ connection, it turns out to be a moot point as the said router 
>> will now not connect at all. In fact, its syncing LED flashes at the 
>> normal rate to start with, then slows down and eventually stops. Even the 
>> 4-port switch part has stopped working. It is an ex-router!
>>
>> So, for about £50 (maybe a bit more) what is a decent ADLS2/2+ router 
>> with 4-port switch, wireless not required? Perhaps with a good long line 
>> length sensitivity. Definitely one that shows router stats (my even older 
>> Netgear DG814 doesn't do this).
>>
>> So far I'm looking at:
>> ZyXEL Prestige 660HW-T1
>> NETGEAR DG834G
>> Linksys AG241
>> Billion BIPAC 5200
>
>
> Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The 
> basic version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to any 
> of your shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2+.

Thanks.
I'll look at the Draytek models.
What features have they got that are superior to my, growing, list?

>>> After my recent question about the compatibility of my old router with 
>>> an ADSL2/2+ connection, it turns out to be a moot point as the said 
>>> router will now not connect at all. In fact, its syncing LED flashes at 
>>> the normal rate to start with, then slows down and eventually stops. 
>>> Even the 4-port switch part has stopped working. It is an ex-router!
>>>
>>> So, for about £50 (maybe a bit more) what is a decent ADLS2/2+ router 
>>> with 4-port switch, wireless not required? Perhaps with a good long line 
>>> length sensitivity. Definitely one that shows router stats (my even 
>>> older Netgear DG814 doesn't do this).
>>>
>>> So far I'm looking at:
>>> ZyXEL Prestige 660HW-T1
>>> NETGEAR DG834G
>>> Linksys AG241
>>> Billion BIPAC 5200
>>
>>
>> Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The 
>> basic version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to any 
>> of your shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2+.
>
> Thanks.
> I'll look at the Draytek models.
> What features have they got that are superior to my, growing, list?


A comparison of the various Draytek models is here.

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/comparison.html

They really have unmatched facilities and quality as far as home/small 
business are concerned. Unless you want to go to the expense and 
complication of something like Cisco you will not find anything better. 
Added to the fact they are easy to set up and have a knowledgeable user 
group.

Peter Crosland

Grumps writes:
> > Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The 
> > basic version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to any 
> > of your shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2+.
> 
> Thanks.
> I'll look at the Draytek models.
> What features have they got that are superior to my, growing, list?

I wouldn't recommend a Draytek 2800. I have a Draytek 2800VG, and it's a
dog on ADSL2+ (Be). I have the Draytek, a Speedtouch 585v6 and 780WL,
Billion 7300G, and a Sky-branded Netgear DG834GT with the UberGT
firmware.

The DG834GT outclasses all the others - better sync speed, superb line
stability (I'm on an extremely short line - about 100-150 meters) - I
can't remember the last time it resynced, it's probably been months now.
The Speedtouches in particular are not very stable at all - they
reconnect every few days, which might not be noticeable for some people,
but it is to me. The Billion 7300G is cheap 'n' cheerful, slower sync
than the GT but much more stable than the Speedtouch range.

However, I don't use the wifi aspect of any of my ADSL routers - I have
a separate AP for that, so I can't comment on the GT's wifi
performance/stability.

For the Draytek 2800, the ISP has to mess with the INP settings, and the
stability sucks anway. When it (regularly) reconnected, it took a long
time to reconnect (3mins+) despite following Draytek's guidelines. Also,
the original PSU died, but Draytek replaced that for free seeing as I
had a different suitable PSU which worked fine with it.

"Sam" <ask@ng.invalid> wrote in message 
news:fpo954pr97r38oselet52fpe9rapumd8sr@4ax.com...
> Grumps writes:
>> > Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The
>> > basic version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to 
>> > any
>> > of your shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2+.
>>
>> Thanks.
>> I'll look at the Draytek models.
>> What features have they got that are superior to my, growing, list?
>
> I wouldn't recommend a Draytek 2800. I have a Draytek 2800VG, and it's a
> dog on ADSL2+ (Be). I have the Draytek, a Speedtouch 585v6 and 780WL,
> Billion 7300G, and a Sky-branded Netgear DG834GT with the UberGT
> firmware.
>
> The DG834GT outclasses all the others - better sync speed, superb line
> stability (I'm on an extremely short line - about 100-150 meters) - I
> can't remember the last time it resynced, it's probably been months now.
> The Speedtouches in particular are not very stable at all - they
> reconnect every few days, which might not be noticeable for some people,
> but it is to me. The Billion 7300G is cheap 'n' cheerful, slower sync
> than the GT but much more stable than the Speedtouch range.
>
> However, I don't use the wifi aspect of any of my ADSL routers - I have
> a separate AP for that, so I can't comment on the GT's wifi
> performance/stability.
>
> For the Draytek 2800, the ISP has to mess with the INP settings, and the
> stability sucks anway. When it (regularly) reconnected, it took a long
> time to reconnect (3mins+) despite following Draytek's guidelines. Also,
> the original PSU died, but Draytek replaced that for free seeing as I
> had a different suitable PSU which worked fine with it.

Thanks for that Sam.
It's individual user's comments that are always worth reading.

Shame about your findings on the 2800 as I was looking on eBay at these; 
about £50. Its feature set (incl. instant messenger blocking) looked ideal.

>>> > Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The
>>> > basic version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to 
>>> > any
>>> > of your shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2+.
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>> I'll look at the Draytek models.
>>> What features have they got that are superior to my, growing, list?
>>
>> I wouldn't recommend a Draytek 2800. I have a Draytek 2800VG, and it's a
>> dog on ADSL2+ (Be). I have the Draytek, a Speedtouch 585v6 and 780WL,
>> Billion 7300G, and a Sky-branded Netgear DG834GT with the UberGT
>> firmware.
>>
>> The DG834GT outclasses all the others - better sync speed, superb line
>> stability (I'm on an extremely short line - about 100-150 meters) - I
>> can't remember the last time it resynced, it's probably been months now.
>> The Speedtouches in particular are not very stable at all - they
>> reconnect every few days, which might not be noticeable for some people,
>> but it is to me. The Billion 7300G is cheap 'n' cheerful, slower sync
>> than the GT but much more stable than the Speedtouch range.
>>
>> However, I don't use the wifi aspect of any of my ADSL routers - I have
>> a separate AP for that, so I can't comment on the GT's wifi
>> performance/stability.
>>
>> For the Draytek 2800, the ISP has to mess with the INP settings, and the
>> stability sucks anway. When it (regularly) reconnected, it took a long
>> time to reconnect (3mins+) despite following Draytek's guidelines. Also,
>> the original PSU died, but Draytek replaced that for free seeing as I
>> had a different suitable PSU which worked fine with it.
>
> Thanks for that Sam.
> It's individual user's comments that are always worth reading.
>
> Shame about your findings on the 2800 as I was looking on eBay at these; 
> about £50. Its feature set (incl. instant messenger blocking) looked 
> ideal.


Beware of making a judgement on the experience of a single user. At such a 
short distance from the exchange one has to ask what other factors might 
causing problems rather than a particular router.

Peter Crosland

"Peter Crosland"  wrote in message 
news:FM-dnY_Xoe9hbcnVnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@posted.plusnet...
>>>> > Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The
>>>> > basic version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to 
>>>> > any
>>>> > of your shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2+.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>> I'll look at the Draytek models.
>>>> What features have they got that are superior to my, growing, list?
>>>
>>> I wouldn't recommend a Draytek 2800. I have a Draytek 2800VG, and it's a
>>> dog on ADSL2+ (Be). I have the Draytek, a Speedtouch 585v6 and 780WL,
>>> Billion 7300G, and a Sky-branded Netgear DG834GT with the UberGT
>>> firmware.
>>>
>>> The DG834GT outclasses all the others - better sync speed, superb line
>>> stability (I'm on an extremely short line - about 100-150 meters) - I
>>> can't remember the last time it resynced, it's probably been months now.
>>> The Speedtouches in particular are not very stable at all - they
>>> reconnect every few days, which might not be noticeable for some people,
>>> but it is to me. The Billion 7300G is cheap 'n' cheerful, slower sync
>>> than the GT but much more stable than the Speedtouch range.
>>>
>>> However, I don't use the wifi aspect of any of my ADSL routers - I have
>>> a separate AP for that, so I can't comment on the GT's wifi
>>> performance/stability.
>>>
>>> For the Draytek 2800, the ISP has to mess with the INP settings, and the
>>> stability sucks anway. When it (regularly) reconnected, it took a long
>>> time to reconnect (3mins+) despite following Draytek's guidelines. Also,
>>> the original PSU died, but Draytek replaced that for free seeing as I
>>> had a different suitable PSU which worked fine with it.
>>
>> Thanks for that Sam.
>> It's individual user's comments that are always worth reading.
>>
>> Shame about your findings on the 2800 as I was looking on eBay at these; 
>> about £50. Its feature set (incl. instant messenger blocking) looked 
>> ideal.
>
>
> Beware of making a judgement on the experience of a single user. At such a 
> short distance from the exchange one has to ask what other factors might 
> causing problems rather than a particular router.

Indeed.
I've read a lot of reviews about the 2600 and 2800/2820. Mostly they're 5 
stars; occasionally less due to wireless issues. But I don't need wireless.

In message <aeydnSKUrdCxeMnVnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@posted.plusnet>, Peter 
Crosland  writes
>A comparison of the various Draytek models is here.
>
>http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/comparison.html
>
>They really have unmatched facilities and quality as far as home/small
>business are concerned. Unless you want to go to the expense and
>complication of something like Cisco you will not find anything better.
>Added to the fact they are easy to set up and have a knowledgeable user
>group.

Add to this their tech support is excellent too. I see the 2800 has been 
replaced with the 2820 nowadays. Just set my first one up. very good 
piece of kit - dual WAN functionality for fail over and balancing!
-- 
Devs
"Punchdown Pete the old Kroner"
Un autre 4 ans!

On Jun 15, 11:03 am, "Grumps"  wrote:
> "Sam" <a...@ng.invalid> wrote in message
>
> news:fpo954pr97r38oselet52fpe9rapumd8sr@4ax.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Grumps writes:
> >> > Consider spending a bit more and look for a Draytek 2800 on eBay. The> >> > basic version without wireless fetch around £60.00 and is superior to
> >> > any
> >> > of your shortlist. Note that the 2600 series don't support ADSL 2.
>
> >> Thanks.
> >> I'll look at the Draytek models.
> >> What features have they got that are superior to my, growing, list?
>
> > I wouldn't recommend a Draytek 2800. I have a Draytek 2800VG, and it's a> > dog on ADSL2 (Be). I have the Draytek, a Speedtouch 585v6 and 780WL,
> > Billion 7300G, and a Sky-branded Netgear DG834GT with the UberGT
> > firmware.
>
> > The DG834GT outclasses all the others - better sync speed, superb line
> > stability (I'm on an extremely short line - about 100-150 meters) - I
> > can't remember the last time it resynced, it's probably been months now.> > The Speedtouches in particular are not very stable at all - they
> > reconnect every few days, which might not be noticeable for some people,> > but it is to me. The Billion 7300G is cheap 'n' cheerful, slower sync
> > than the GT but much more stable than the Speedtouch range.
>
> > However, I don't use the wifi aspect of any of my ADSL routers - I have
> > a separate AP for that, so I can't comment on the GT's wifi
> > performance/stability.
>
> > For the Draytek 2800, the ISP has to mess with the INP settings, and the> > stability sucks anway. When it (regularly) reconnected, it took a long
> > time to reconnect (3mins) despite following Draytek's guidelines. Also,> > the original PSU died, but Draytek replaced that for free seeing as I
> > had a different suitable PSU which worked fine with it.
>
> Thanks for that Sam.
> It's individual user's comments that are always worth reading.
>
> Shame about your findings on the 2800 as I was looking on eBay at these;
> about £50. Its feature set (incl. instant messenger blocking) looked ideal.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The 2Wires (2700HGV) sold as the BT Business Hub are pretty stable, I
retained it on my Be connection over there router. That said I'm not
sure my version has ADSL2 i..e teh Annex M capability but some
versions of the firmware or later routers do I think

On Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:52:01 +0100, Sam <ask@ng.invalid> wrote:


>
>For the Draytek 2800, the ISP has to mess with the INP settings, and the
>stability sucks anway. When it (regularly) reconnected, it took a long
>time to reconnect (3mins+) despite following Draytek's guidelines. Also,
>the original PSU died, but Draytek replaced that for free seeing as I
>had a different suitable PSU which worked fine with it.

I can heartily agree with that. The Speedtouch 780 and 585, Netgear
834GT, and a several others all perform better on ADSL2+ than the
Draytek 2800. 

I would suggest a visit to the Draytek forum
http://www.draytek.co.uk/forum before making a decision.

"Digby" <a> wrote in message 
news:vd1b549fsd0n6hnuhulocd3cl12ocavqi9@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:52:01 +0100, Sam <ask@ng.invalid> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>For the Draytek 2800, the ISP has to mess with the INP settings, and the
>>stability sucks anway. When it (regularly) reconnected, it took a long
>>time to reconnect (3mins+) despite following Draytek's guidelines. Also,
>>the original PSU died, but Draytek replaced that for free seeing as I
>>had a different suitable PSU which worked fine with it.
>
> I can heartily agree with that. The Speedtouch 780 and 585, Netgear
> 834GT, and a several others all perform better on ADSL2+ than the
> Draytek 2800.
>
> I would suggest a visit to the Draytek forum
> http://www.draytek.co.uk/forum before making a decision.

Interesting reading. Do Netgear have such a forum?

When I switched to using my cheapy (now dead) modem/router, it was because 
the DG814 had a couple of problems:
1) After a torrent session, everything would be so slow and a reboot was 
needed.
2) I could establish a VPN connection, but making another stopped the 1st 
one.
Plenty of calls to NG support, and plenty of testing their firmware.

Still, it is back in use now while I get something better. Incidentally,my 
old dead Addon router synced 40% faster than the DG814 does.