Modem/router or separate modem and router?

[Kielty]

Well lets see, are there any speed advantages in using a separate modem and router as opposed to using a combi unit?

I understand the upgrade argument and fault tracing etc. lends itself to having separate units but is there a speed argument? would the adsl connection be more stable with separate units?

Any comments welcomed!!!

Regards

[Rik]

Hi Kielty and welcome to the forum.

There's no real benefits for most people in having a separate router and modem, and there's no one modem that I know of that is better than those in modem/routers. Stability really shouldn't be any different with separate or combined units either.

Depending on your line, you may benefit from something like a 2-Wire 2700, which does very well on poorer lines. Can you post your stats, specifically downstream sync speed, noise margin and attenuation?

[Inactive]

Welcome Kielty,

[Kielty]

do these figures make sense!

Sync 864kbps
SNR margin 9
Loop Att 69

On a very long line....

[Rik]

You are indeed. A 2700 might help a bit, but to be honest, a few years ago BT would probably have declared your line unsuitable for ADSL. What kind on internal phone wiring do you have, eg several wired extensions or just the one socket. What is connected to the line other than the router?

[Kielty]

new build approx 5 years ago - no difference in stats whether the modem is in the master socket or an extn.

2 extns and the master socket. 1 fax, 1 phone and sky box connected in addition to the modem..

[Rik]

If you're out of contract with Sky, I'd recommend disconnecting the box, they are renowned for the noise they can put on the line. I'd suggest you check for ring wires at each socket and disconnect if they are present. Look for a wire on terminal three, often orange/white. If it's connected, just pull it gently out of the jaws of the connector with a pair of pliers and roll it up out of the way. It's important that you do this at each socket as the ring wire simply acts as a giant antenna, pulling noise into the circuit, which lowers your sync speed.

[Kielty]

is removing the ring wire going to screw anything up?

[Rik]

No, it's not needed by modern phones and, iac, the filters provide the ring current. What filters are you using, btw?

[Kielty]

adsl nation xf-1e filters...

[Rik]

You can't get better than that. 

[Kielty]

i have tried most things, i think i am going to have to accept a less than sparkling broadband 

Oh well, thats what rural living does to your internet access ..

[Rik]

I'm afraid it is. Whilst it's not the total determinant, line length is the most significant and, at 69db, you appear to have about 7km of cable between you and the exchange. Not only does that weaken the signal, it also means the line is more susceptible to noise, so that your sync speed will be further restricted by that. You appear to have been given a 9db target noise margin in an attempt to stabilise the line, so there's not a lot you can do to help yourself. That said, many of us have found significant gains from using the 2700 router, in my own case, on a 57db line, I gained 1000k of sync.

[Lance]

Welcome to the forum, Kielty

[Sebby]

Welcome, Kielty.

As already mentioned, an all-in-one device is your best bet these days. Your attenuation is very high, suggesting a very long line, which you can't do a lot about. Definitely try removing the ring wires, or if you want to see if they're having an impact, connect the router to the socket behind the faceplate on the master socket, then re-assess the stats.

[Kielty]

thanks sebby, i have tried removing the faceplate and plugging in directly but much the same stats. nothing else i can really do...

going back to my original query, would a stand alone modem be a better modem than a combo unit? i am not plagued by disconnections but it does happen every few days. would a dedicated unit be more reliable/hold sync better? anyone any experience??

[Lance]

As Rik said, there is not one modem which appears better than any other, so with that in mind you might as well get a all in one unit. If you go along this route, give the 2wire 2700hgv a look as it has a good reputation on poor lines.

[Kielty]

As Rik said, there is not one modem which appears better than any other, so with that in mind you might as well get a all in one unit. If you go along this route, give the 2wire 2700hgv a look as it has a good reputation on poor lines.

Thanks Lance..

[Lance]

 

[Sebby]

thanks sebby, i have tried removing the faceplate and plugging in directly but much the same stats. nothing else i can really do...

It looks like you are at your limit. It's a really long line and there's nothing you can do (other than move closer to the exchange!).