Which router ?

[clives]

Hi all, I am considering moving from Virgin to IDNET for broadband, probably using the HOME LITE option. Do IDNET include supply of a router, or do I have to buy one - if so what do you recommend and where can I obtain it ?

[Rik]

No router is supplied, though IDNet can sell you one, preconfigured. If you're happy to configure the router, you'll do better to buy elsewhere.

Can you post your line stats, and say whether you'll be using a Max or WBC service? That will enable us to give better advice.

Welcome to the forum.

[Sebby]

[Simon]

[Ray]

 

[psp83]

if you do buy a router, the netgear dgn2000 is a great router.

[clives]

Rik thanks fior the reply. I am a Broadband novice hence the following response: How do I get the line stats, I have a standard issue Ntl/Virgin Thomson Speedtouch wired modem ? In addition, I checked my local exchange details and it says it is enabled for MAX. As well as recommending a wireless router, can you advise if I will need ADSL Microfilters ?

[Rik]

You need a filter for every device that connects to the line. The ADSL side is actually unfiltered, it's the voice side which is filtered, rather confusing given the terminology.

Personally, I recommend the ADSL Nation xf-1e, they are the best I know of:

http://www.adslnation.com/products/xf-1e.php

If you have an NTE5 master socket, you could alternatively fit their filtered faceplate, but only if the router is connected at the master socket.

The following should work with most Speedtouch routers:

From the web interface try

http://192.168.1.254/cgi/b/dsl/dt/?ce=1&be=0&l0=1&l1=0

or

From the routers IP address which is usually http://192.168.1.254

Broadband Connection >
DSL Connection >
Details.

Default User Name = Administrator , Password = blank or Serial No from underneath the router

Note:-
Some of the above speedtouch routers may well have problems if you try changing the default password and it will appear to lock you out or give you and error message "HTTP/1.0 401 Authorization Required". In actual fact this is an authentication problem within IE7 - try using a different browser to change the password.

[clives]

Thanks Rik. Here are line stats, if you need more info let me know :
ReceiveAttenuation_dB= 54
ReceiveMargin_dB= 6
SendAttenuation_dB= 31
SendMargin_dB= 19

[Rik]

That should get you about 4-4.5M on Max, maybe 7-8 on WBC, but more likely 6-7M.

[D-Dan]

Which Speedtouch do you have. I have a 585v6 and 2 Netgears (DG834 v2 and DG834 V3) at my disposal, and of the three, I always come back to the Speedtouch which will squeeze a little bit more out of the line than the Netgears.

Steve

[clives]

I have Speedtouch 330.

[D-Dan]

Is that the old USB model? I'm sure I have one of those somewhere too, unless I gave it away. If so, how are you getting a 14Mbs connection - I thought they were limited by USB bandwidth to around 4 Mbs?

Steve

[clives]

I am currently getting about 2.5mbps on average with Speedtouch 330 with Virgin.

[D-Dan]

You could do much worse than buy a "proper" router, maybe £30 that connects via Ethernet. The 330 is not the best choice these days.

Steve

[Rik]

I'd go further, Steve, it's a bad choice these days.