Router recommendation

[jaydub]

I've been using a Linksys WAG354G for the last three years, but having just sold my non-wireless router I'm looking to purchase a cheap ADSL router (<£50) either to replace the Linksys or to use as a back up.

We have an 8128 non-interleaved line and we're only connecting a PC, laptop, Xbox360 and iPod touch to the router.

I'm just looking for something that does the basic things well:  decent wireless signal (at least as good as the Linksys), log files that readily show key events like loss of sync (not a Linksys strong point) and displays DSL parameters (only available on the Linksys through a hidden page).

I'm not sure I want to go through the 2700 eBay route, so the current short list is the Thomson 585 or the latest generation Netgear DG834G (with the Broadcomm chip set).

Your thoughts and recommendations (these or others) are more than welcome. 

[Sebby]

The two you've mentioned, either a SpeedTouch 585 or Netgear DG834Gv4/5, would be the ones I'd recommend. Personally, I think the SpeedTouch is the best router apart from the 2Wire.

[kinmel]

Cheapest and best in my humble opinion is the 2700HGV, cost about £10-15 delivered from Ebay if bought carefully.

Search Ebay for "2700HGV",  "BT Business"  and "Business Hub", there are plenty of them, unused ones are often labelled "BNIB" ( brand new in box )

[jaydub]

Sebby,

Thanks for this.  Any idea what the differences are between the superseded Sppedtouch 585 and the replacement Thomson TG585v7 other thana cahnge of box.

Just though of some additional requirements as well!  I also need to be able to use Routerstats and PRTG (which uses SNMP) with the router.  Both are listed on the Routerstats site so that shouldn't be a problem.  Not sure about the SNMP for the Netgear though.

[Rik]

I don't recall Netgears supporting SNMP, but I may be completely wrong. The Billion range seems to have quite a good rep.

[Sebby]

Sebby,

Thanks for this.  Any idea what the differences are between the superseded Sppedtouch 585 and the replacement Thomson TG585v7 other thana cahnge of box.

Just though of some additional requirements as well!  I also need to be able to use Routerstats and PRTG (which uses SNMP) with the router.  Both are listed on the Routerstats site so that shouldn't be a problem.  Not sure about the SNMP for the Netgear though.

I think they changed the chipset in the 585v7. I'm not sure if it's considered better, worse, or the same as the v6 to be honest!

RouterStats works with both the v6 and v7. SNMP shouldn't be an issue - there's instructions how to enable it here.

[stevenrw]

I bought the Netgear DG834 when I joined IDnet and it's been seamless ever since - so that gets my solid recommendation.

[jaydub]

Cheapest and best in my humble opinion is the 2700HGV, cost about £10-15 delivered from Ebay if bought carefully.

Search Ebay for "2700HGV",  "BT Business"  and "Business Hub", there are plenty of them, unused ones are often labelled "BNIB" ( brand new in box )

I've weakened in the 2700 direction and have lost out on a couple of bids.  One thing I wanted to check is whether the 2700 works with Xbox360 live.  I know it doesn't suppoirt uPNP and was concerned that this may affect the ability of the Xbox to connect to the outside world.

Can anybody please clarify.

Thanks,

Jon

[Rik]

Not I, Jon, but hopefully someone will be along shortly.

[Sebby]

I'm sure you could always forward to the necessary ports manually.

[Myst]

Netgear DG834 here for me too.

Doddle to set up and no problems with connectivity / range etc.

I run the main pc hardwired, and 3 lappys and the xbox off it wireless without any trouble

[Steve]

I would suggest a google around certainly look at portforward.com,to see if the lack of UPNP can be resolved by either simple portforwarding or setting up DMZ (i.e places that local IP address outside the firewall) for the xbox there may be other issues worth checking, Such as if you wish to use xbox as a media extender with WMP as this I believe relies on UPNP there other options for media server software that only need one port forwarded.

I have used a Speedtouch 585v6 and a Netgear DG834N of late with Xbox 360 and PS3.UPNP works fine, no lists of ports to forward to enter either ,hence my BT2700HGV remains unused.Since you have a full sync the common reason for using this router is not required in your case.

[jaydub]

Steve,

Thanks for the feedback on this.  I'd already bid for two 2700s, but thankfully outbid on each occasion.

I'd be interested in your views of the Netgear vs the Speedtouch.

I have to say I think they're both butt ugly compared to the Linksys, but that's not the main reason for buying one. 

Myst,

Good to hear that the Netgear has proved so solid.

[Myst]

Only comparison i can make is a couple of freinds got Speedtouch 585's with their ISP. Both are now on Netgears - one same as me the other on  a new 108mps rangemaster one

[Sebby]

I choose a SpeedTouch over a Netgear any day.

[Rik]

And a 2700 over a Speedtouch.

[Sebby]

For sure.

[Steve]

I believe there is little evidence to suggest that on a full sync that the BT 2700 HGV is any better than anything else and indeed one member if  I recall correctly had found worse throughput with this router on a full sync. My reasons for not using it were having  multiple devices in the house which utilise UPNP,if it works no further user input is required.

With regard the 585v6 it worked well in terms of connection,stability and UPNP although wireless range I found nowhere near as good as the 2700 and did seem to crash occasionally in warm weather.

I swapped to my current router a DG834Nv1 to try to improve wireless range and this certainly has been achieved although this router doesn't seem to like competing wireless networks on the same channel and also the NAT seems to get confused when P2P is running.

I have no experience of the 585v7 or DG834N v2 which both utilise different chipsets than their predecessors.

[mrapoc]

IMO the 2700 is amazing value for the money especially if you get the SBC *hacked* version (stronger wireless etc.)

But I would much rather go for a strong "mainstream" one next time which supports UPNP etc.

But atm its running well

PS3 works without any ports needed to be opened

[vitriol]

I've got a Netgear DG834GT running a desktop (wired) a laptop and Xbox360 (both wireless)

No problems with it at all, it's really easy to setup and if UPNP just works out of the box, portforwarding is a doddle to setup as is DMZ if required.

[Aaron]

Also quite happy with my Netgear DG834G (v4), it runs a bit hot which does get me a little worried but it's been able to hold the pressure such as 100 torrent connections open etc. without dropping. I disabled UPNP on it and used a single port forward to uTorrent. Using fancy stuff like VOIP might need UPNP enabled but I don't have a need for it.

[Baz]

Also quite happy with my Netgear DG834G (v4), it runs a bit hot which does get me a little worried but it's been able to hold the pressure such as 100 torrent connections open etc. without dropping. I disabled UPNP on it and used a single port forward to uTorrent. Using fancy stuff like VOIP might need UPNP enabled but I don't have a need for it.

I have the DG834PN Aaron and I noticed too that it was very warm when I first used it. Its not all the time but I found its cooler when its placed vertical in the little feet supplied rather that flat on the desk.

hope that helps

[Rik]

Or put some larger rubber feet on it, to increase the air gap underneath...

[Sebby]

I hear half a squash ball makes a good foot.

[Rik]

I'm lost for words, Seb.