What router/modem/thingy?
Discussion
Ive got a 5 year old ADSL USB modem into which 2 wires are connected, one for power, the other being the USB cable which connects to the PC.
On my BT line, Im getting 1.1 megs out of an "up to 8" that my BT business broadband package offers.
Ive been led to believe that im only achieving 1.1 megs (not 4 or more) due to the fact that Im still using this antiquated USB modem.
What should I buy to replace it? I know next to nothing about modems, hardware firewalls, routers etc etc... Id like a wired network, I dont think I need a wireless network, the only other thing worth mentioning is that I will need to set up a WIRED network connection to my xbox 360 which is the only device I have or intend to network with the PC for internet use. I mention the Xbox as I have only one networking socket on the back of my PC which connects to the 360, and it also needs to be able to access the internet.
What modem/setup should I buy? My only concern being that I know very little about hardware setups, I just want something easy to set up which will work with a few clicks out of the box.
On my BT line, Im getting 1.1 megs out of an "up to 8" that my BT business broadband package offers.
Ive been led to believe that im only achieving 1.1 megs (not 4 or more) due to the fact that Im still using this antiquated USB modem.
What should I buy to replace it? I know next to nothing about modems, hardware firewalls, routers etc etc... Id like a wired network, I dont think I need a wireless network, the only other thing worth mentioning is that I will need to set up a WIRED network connection to my xbox 360 which is the only device I have or intend to network with the PC for internet use. I mention the Xbox as I have only one networking socket on the back of my PC which connects to the 360, and it also needs to be able to access the internet.
What modem/setup should I buy? My only concern being that I know very little about hardware setups, I just want something easy to set up which will work with a few clicks out of the box.
trooperiziz said:
You want an ADSL2+ modem, just grab one of the shelf of your local pcworld.
My only recommendation is not to buy a Netgear
Hey Neil, thanks for the reply. My only recommendation is not to buy a Netgear
Whats an ADSL+2 modem, the second generation of faster ADSL modems? And am I right in thinking modems are now called routers?
Trouble is, I dont know what I need. I need a wired "ethernet" port for the xbox, and a new modem. How will the modem and xbox plug into the PC if Ive only got one ethernet port? Is there one piece of kit in particular which will solve both problems, like modem which also doubles as an ethernet hub?
Whats with the wink, and recommendation not to buy Netgear?
plotty, you could be right, but I cant change the line so decided to take my chances with a more modern modem. I know modem speeds in my immediate neighbourhood are good and "think" the exchange is just up the road.
UKBob said:
trooperiziz said:
You want an ADSL2+ modem, just grab one of the shelf of your local pcworld.
My only recommendation is not to buy a Netgear
Hey Neil, thanks for the reply. My only recommendation is not to buy a Netgear
Whats an ADSL+2 modem, the second generation of faster ADSL modems? And am I right in thinking modems are now called routers?
Trouble is, I dont know what I need. I need a wired "ethernet" port for the xbox, and a new modem. How will the modem and xbox plug into the PC if Ive only got one ethernet port? Is there one piece of kit in particular which will solve both problems, like modem which also doubles as an ethernet hub?
Whats with the wink, and recommendation not to buy Netgear?
plotty, you could be right, but I cant change the line so decided to take my chances with a more modern modem. I know modem speeds in my immediate neighbourhood are good and "think" the exchange is just up the road.
Ok, to be a bit more specific
ADSL2+ allows the faster rate of broadband to work (I think you need it to get over 2mbit?)
A modem does one thing only, and that is to connect to the internet. A router allows you to network machines together, what you needs is a ADSL2+ modem router that will handle both. The confusion is that what people refer to as a router typically has modem functionality as well, but not all routers do so read the box carefully.
You put your broadband connection details into the modem router and that connects to the internet for you, it will have 4 (or more) ports in the back that you can plug your pc, xbox, etc... into and that will allow them to connect to the internet via the router (and also talk to each other if you want them to...)
Netgear stuff is ok, but I've had a fair few problems with wireless connectivity using them as they are not the best quality gear, however they are very easy to setup (compared to the competition) and if you are planning to used a wired connection rather than wireless then ignore my prejudice
Edited by trooperiziz on Thursday 19th April 15:43
UKBob said:
Whats an ADSL+2 modem, the second generation of faster ADSL modems? And am I right in thinking modems are now called routers?
Nope. A ADSL modem is typically designed for 1 person, 1 machine. So ADSL in and either USB or Ethernet to a single machine.
A ADSL Router is designed to support a LAN behind it, it will do nifty features like NAT and DHCP so that all the other machines connecting 'just work'. Typically it will have a switch built in to allow 4 - 5 machines to be wired in. Some will forgo the wired ports and have wireless instead and others will have both.
If you get one without Wireless support and it is needed nothing stopping you bolting a Wireless Access Point on to one of the routers ports (AP's differ from a router by virtue of being stupid).
Thanks for the helpful reply trooper 
Could I be really cheeky then, and ask you to point me to a specific product which does what I need it to do, one which you think is likely to be easy to set up, install and configure.
Ive only ever set up one network in my life (hardware really isnt my bag) and it took me roughly a month (after it went wrong) to troubleshoot and get it working again
Could I be really cheeky then, and ask you to point me to a specific product which does what I need it to do, one which you think is likely to be easy to set up, install and configure.
Ive only ever set up one network in my life (hardware really isnt my bag) and it took me roughly a month (after it went wrong) to troubleshoot and get it working again
Edited by UKBob on Thursday 19th April 15:43
Something like a Netgear DG834 or a D-Link DSL524T or anything similar (usually called something like 'broadband router' )from any other vendor is what you're after.
It is basically a broadband modem and four-port router in one unit.
You plug it into your BT line (same as your existing modem) and it has four network ports on it - you plug your PC into one of these, your xbox into another, etc.
The box will also typically work as a DHCP server, so it will automatically assign IP addresses to all the devices attached to it, and they'll all be able to get out onto the Internet. You won't need to daisy-chain your xbox to your PC, which I think is what you're doing now.
Setup is pretty much the same for all of them, regardles of brand - once you've plugged your PC into the router you browse to a webpage and step through a wizard, so you'll need the broadband username and password which you should have got from your ISP when you first got broadband.
I've had two Netgears, one was great and one was rubbish, and one Belkin which has been fine. Others on here swear by Netgear and wouldn't touch Belkin with yours, so I reckon they're all much of a muchness.
edit - in fact, pretty much what everyone else said while I was typing this.
It is basically a broadband modem and four-port router in one unit.
You plug it into your BT line (same as your existing modem) and it has four network ports on it - you plug your PC into one of these, your xbox into another, etc.
The box will also typically work as a DHCP server, so it will automatically assign IP addresses to all the devices attached to it, and they'll all be able to get out onto the Internet. You won't need to daisy-chain your xbox to your PC, which I think is what you're doing now.
Setup is pretty much the same for all of them, regardles of brand - once you've plugged your PC into the router you browse to a webpage and step through a wizard, so you'll need the broadband username and password which you should have got from your ISP when you first got broadband.
I've had two Netgears, one was great and one was rubbish, and one Belkin which has been fine. Others on here swear by Netgear and wouldn't touch Belkin with yours, so I reckon they're all much of a muchness.
edit - in fact, pretty much what everyone else said while I was typing this.
Edited by jamieboy on Thursday 19th April 15:46
UKBob said:
Thanks for the helpful reply trooper
Could I be really cheeky then, and ask you to point me to a specific product which does what I need it to do, one which you think is likely to be easy to set up, install and configure.
Ive only ever set up one network in my life (hardware really isnt my bag) and it took me roughly a month (after it went wrong) to troubleshoot and get it working again
Could I be really cheeky then, and ask you to point me to a specific product which does what I need it to do, one which you think is likely to be easy to set up, install and configure.
Ive only ever set up one network in my life (hardware really isnt my bag) and it took me roughly a month (after it went wrong) to troubleshoot and get it working again
Edited by UKBob on Thursday 19th April 15:43
As mentioned a Netgear 834 would be good for you I think, if you aren't interested in wireless.
www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52754/rb/27070197806
Easy to setup and pretty solid. If you want wireless I'd personally go for Belkin or Linksys kit.
trooperiziz said:
ADSL2+ allows the faster rate of broadband to work (I think you need it to get over 2mbit?)
Nearly there, ADSL2 uses different modulation to ADSL and is only available from a few ISPs at the moment. It is normally required for connections over 8MBit, with some ISPs offering upto 24MBit at the moment. However, an ADSL2 modem is backwards compatible with most (99.99%) current ADSL connections so you may as well future proof yourself. Also, with it being an ADSL2 modem with slightly higher specifications it will perform better, even on ADSL.
You're always better off with a router (with a modem) as long as you yourself or someone else can set it up for you. The main advantages are faster internet due to dedicated hardware, both the router itself and your NIC (network card), higher security, you dont really need a software firewall if you have a router but it wont hurt if you do have one also. It also allows you to connect multiple computers to the internet and each other easily and the router is connected 24/7 so when your computer is on you're on the internet.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Tom
Podie said:
Personally I've never had an issue with Linksys, Belkin or Netgear. That said I've also had a BT 2100 router, which was pretty good and nice and easy to setup.
Ethernet will give you a faster transfer rate than USB, so it's the way forward.
Im hoping so Ethernet will give you a faster transfer rate than USB, so it's the way forward.
BliarOut said:
pmanson said:
I rate Linksys boxes. Avoid Belkin and NetGear (IMHO)
I rate Netgearboxes. Avoid Belkin and Linksys.
HTH
Cheers trooper/jamie, will have a look later on and come back with more questions if I have any before I order anything
BliarOut said:
pmanson said:
I rate Linksys boxes. Avoid Belkin and NetGear (IMHO)
I rate Netgearboxes. Avoid Belkin and Linksys.
HTH
Yeah, ditto.
After reading all the recent recommendations on here, I plumped for a Netgear DG834N. It was dead easy to set up (much much easier than anything else I have had to work with before, especially when setting up the security), and the range it has is incredible. I get "excellent" signal strength on my notebook everywhere in the house AND garden. If it was not for the security, I reckon the entire neighbourhood would be using my bandwidth!
jamieboy said:
Netgear DG834
trooperiziz said:
Netgear 834
www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52754/rb/27070197806
Cheers chaps www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52754/rb/27070197806
I bought from ebuyer using the £10 back google checkout. Would anyone be interested to know whether I do end up achieving a faster speed than my current USB modem permits?
Another question... when loading normal "not very content heavy" content pages, does one typically notice a speed difference when using 4+ megs vs using a 1 meg connection, or is it just file downloads and transfers which seem to be speedier?
Whilst we're discussing connection speeds, does anyone know what the fastest home broadband speed currently is, whether in or outside of this country, speed we can realistically look forward to in years to come...
Whilst we're discussing connection speeds, does anyone know what the fastest home broadband speed currently is, whether in or outside of this country, speed we can realistically look forward to in years to come...
UKBob said:
Another question... when loading normal "not very content heavy" content pages, does one typically notice a speed difference when using 4+ megs vs using a 1 meg connection, or is it just file downloads and transfers which seem to be speedier?
1meg and 4meg yes, you notice a difference on content heavy sites (especially large Flashterbation sites) but between 2meg and 4meg... not so much. 2meg seems to be a happy medium for people not hammering it on file downloads.
UKBob said:
Whilst we're discussing connection speeds, does anyone know what the fastest home broadband speed currently is, whether in or outside of this country, speed we can realistically look forward to in years to come...
I belive fastest being tested is 50Mbps from Virgin. After that it's ADSL with 24Mbps as it's maximum.
In years to come? 100mbit LAN speed connections to the home, if the dreamers have there way. Or 50Mbps from Virgin and 24Mbps from ADSL2 if they don't. Realistically you'll never max the connection out from a single server though.
ThePassenger said:
UKBob said:
Another question... when loading normal "not very content heavy" content pages, does one typically notice a speed difference when using 4+ megs vs using a 1 meg connection, or is it just file downloads and transfers which seem to be speedier?
1meg and 4meg yes, you notice a difference on content heavy sites (especially large Flashterbation sites) but between 2meg and 4meg... not so much. 2meg seems to be a happy medium for people not hammering it on file downloads.
UKBob said:
Whilst we're discussing connection speeds, does anyone know what the fastest home broadband speed currently is, whether in or outside of this country, speed we can realistically look forward to in years to come...
I belive fastest being tested is 50Mbps from Virgin. After that it's ADSL with 24Mbps as it's maximum.
In years to come? 100mbit LAN speed connections to the home, if the dreamers have there way. Or 50Mbps from Virgin and 24Mbps from ADSL2 if they don't. Realistically you'll never max the connection out from a single server though.
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