Best all round wire free ADSL kit
Discussion
Please can I have your honest views on which is the best all in one modem and wireless router.
I intend to use pipex, with a std pc, and Sony Vaio with built in wireless. I am not too tecki so want something simple to install and use. I have been told D link is the best, but I would like a wider audiance to comment please.
I intend to use pipex, with a std pc, and Sony Vaio with built in wireless. I am not too tecki so want something simple to install and use. I have been told D link is the best, but I would like a wider audiance to comment please.
I use the Netgear DG834G. superb piece of kit and a doddle to set up. Under £100 from www.ebuyer.com
Another vote for a DG834G here too 
...certainly the most popular unit in the UK by far.
...Ive been using one without issue since they came out and the DG824M before that (and before anyone points out, these were both private purchases out of my own pocket, as Ive worked for NETGEAR for the last 8 months !)
...certainly the most popular unit in the UK by far. ...Ive been using one without issue since they came out and the DG824M before that (and before anyone points out, these were both private purchases out of my own pocket, as Ive worked for NETGEAR for the last 8 months !)
try the BT shop - they have an offer on with a free card
www.shop.bt.com/invt/0710569
otherwise, the usual suspects like www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk
www.misco.co.uk
www.dabs.co.uk
www.shop.bt.com/invt/0710569
otherwise, the usual suspects like www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk
www.misco.co.uk
www.dabs.co.uk
CooperGreen said:
Many thanks for the advice.
Next, where is best and cheapest to buy from. Anone with fingers in pies?
Got mine from simply computers @ 93.99 incl VAT with a free card for the laptop
cut and paste this into your browser without spaces if it doesn't give a complete hyperlink
www.simply.co.uk/productinformation/47818/WW/NETGEAR_WIRELESS_ADSL_ROUTER_DG834G_+_FREE_PC_CARD_WG511/index.htm
rsvmilly said:
Been up for 36 hours without a blip. Looks like I'll be keeping it.
Draytek Vigor 2600; current uptime 1195 hours. Gets rebooted once every three months or so when BT decide to lock their end up.
Not too difficult to configure, and there are wireless and VPN models available; the netgear is probably easier (and cheaper), though; unless you have techie friends, I'd go for that in your situation.
jimmyjimjim said:Show off!!
Been up for 36 hours without a blip. Looks like I'll be keeping it.
Draytek Vigor 2600; current uptime 1195 hours. Gets rebooted once every three months or so when BT decide to lock their end up.
What I should have posted is that it had been up the 36 hours that I had owned it. Now up to around 60+ hours.
jimmyjimjim said:
Draytek Vigor 2600; current uptime 1195 hours. Gets rebooted once every three months or so when BT decide to lock their end up.
Not too difficult to configure, and there are wireless and VPN models available; the netgear is probably easier (and cheaper), though; unless you have techie friends, I'd go for that in your situation.
Ditto that. I'd also recommend that anyone thinking about buying a Netgear should check www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk to see some of the problems that people can have with firmware levels, lack of documentation (e.g. VPN), & the trouble they have if they finally need to call the Netgear helldesk (which is in India...) Although most DG834's don't cause too many problems besides the connection dropouts / inability to regain synch, the problematic ones really are a pain. Some people have returned 2 or more units, before asking for their money back in frustration. At least BBB seem to be very good at giving refunds - which I might suggest should be another consideration, not just cost.
D-Link can be another good basic choice, but they can occasionally suffer from weird configuration & firewall problems with some software, which can take a bit of time or know-how to sort out.
Although the Drayteks do have more advanced features - which you'll almost certainly never need - they are robust, fast, & very reliable. They're also not that much more difficult to set up initially. I'd therefore be inclined to suggest that, for a non-techie, they may well be an option well worth considering. Any product that you can just set up (with your ISP's help, if required) & then leave alone will cause less grief than trying to work your way through a problem with someone in an Indian callcentre.
I've had 2 Vigors, previously a Vigor 2600+, which I gave to my brother (a novice PC user) when I finally went wireless in early August, & I bought a Vigor 2600G. Neither router has been rebooted since then, & we've never had any problems with either Vigor model.
Draytek do make great products, & I think that the extra speed / reliability means that they're well worth the extra money, even if you don't need to use all of the features supplied.
>> Edited by griffless on Tuesday 5th October 00:45
griffless said:
href="http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk">[url]
Draytek do make great products, & I think that the extra speed / reliability means that they're well worth the extra money, even if you don't need to use all of the features supplied.
>> Edited by griffless on Tuesday 5th October 00:45
After having played with smoothwall succesfully for some time, then completely stoating an alcatel ADSL modem using it, I bit the bullet and went with the Draytek. Currently about 60% more expensive than the Netgear/Linksys/D-link product, but well worth the extra.
The only issue I've ever had is when syncing up; it occasionally takens up to ten minutes or so - once every three months, which is bloody good availability.
Once managed to create a filtering rule that slowed it to a crawl, but no other issues. At all.
A Rock solid product, highly recommended.
P.S. The Netgear doesn't like wireless roaming very much, so if you think you're going to want to extend the range, look elsewhere.
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