Upgrading to FTTC and need Router recommendation please

PUDtheAncient · Feb 03, 2015, 07:24:57

I currently have an ADSL connection and fibre has just been installed to the cabinets in my area so I am looking to upgrade to FTTC. I think I will keep the modem installed when I upgrade so I am just looking for a router I think.

Have been using Draytek for several years now which have been rock solid for me in that time. Unfortunately they do not seem to offer a suitable product as far as I can see. Have had a good look around but there seem to be a lot of issues with various routers.

So I am looking for router recommendations. Really looking for something that is fast and will just be solid and run for months with no issues. I also need it to have a DMZ option. Oh and budget up to £200.

Many thanks

Paul

Simon · Feb 03, 2015, 09:36:07

I'm not the one to answer this, but someone who can will no doubt be along soon.

Steve · Feb 03, 2015, 09:51:39

If your intending to use the supplied OpenReach FTTC modem there are plenty of options, you need a router with a wan input to connect via PPPoE . I use an Asus RT N66U it's been very reliable and quick, it's a bit long in the tooth now but ASUS have of course upgraded their product line,

zappaDPJ · Feb 03, 2015, 14:47:16

Paul.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 03, 2015, 14:47:55

Quote from: Steve on Feb 03, 2015, 09:51:39
If your intending to use the supplied OpenReach FTTC modem there are plenty of options, you need a router with a wan input to connect via PPPoE . I use an Asus RT N66U it's been very reliable and quick, it's a bit long in the tooth now but ASUS have of course upgraded their product line,

Thanks for the reply, yes was intending OpenReach FTTC modem unless people advise differently. Had looked at some of the Asus range but some of the new ones seem to have issues. The N66U could be an option unless anyone else has experience with some of the newer models.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 03, 2015, 14:49:38

Quote from: zappaDPJ on Feb 03, 2015, 14:47:16
Paul.

Thanks Zappa. Had been a member when I joined IDNET years ago but had to register again for some reason.

stevenrw · Feb 03, 2015, 15:16:22

Don't know too much about DMZ but I've always found the folks at http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/ to be very knowledgeable and helpful, you could give them a try. That would give you some ideas initially then you could investigate those further

MisterW · Feb 03, 2015, 17:35:59

QuoteHave been using Draytek for several years now which have been rock solid for me in that time. Unfortunately they do not seem to offer a suitable product as far as I can see.

If you like Draytek stuff, then what about the Draytek 2860 http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/15293-draytek-v2860n/ it can connect to the BT modem or if you wish, direct to the VDSL line. Ok, it's slightly over your budget but if you don't need wifi then the http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/15285-draytek-v2860/ is slightly cheaper. They've both got 3G backup facilities as well.

I've heard some good things over on the Plusnet forum regarding the Billion 8800NL http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/18474-billion-bipac-8800nl/ . Again it's got Ethernet WAN and direct VDSL facilities and it's a LOT cheaper than the 2860.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 03, 2015, 19:07:43

Quote from: stevenrw on Feb 03, 2015, 15:16:22
Don't know too much about DMZ but I've always found the folks at http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/ to be very knowledgeable and helpful, you could give them a try. That would give you some ideas initially then you could investigate those further

Had a look on broadband buyer and there are a few from Asus, TP-Link and Linksys that have good press reviews that would meet my purposes but user forums seem to contradict the press reviews. Reports vary from poor to no wireless and poor stability issues.

The Asus AC66U might be an option but seems like an older model. Both the AC68U and AC87U seem to have various issues at the moment. Anyone using either of these?

PUDtheAncient · Feb 03, 2015, 19:12:18

Quote from: MisterW on Feb 03, 2015, 17:35:59
If you like Draytek stuff, then what about the Draytek 2860 http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/15293-draytek-v2860n/ it can connect to the BT modem or if you wish, direct to the VDSL line. Ok, it's slightly over your budget but if you don't need wifi then the http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/15285-draytek-v2860/ is slightly cheaper. They've both got 3G backup facilities as well.

I've heard some good things over on the Plusnet forum regarding the Billion 8800NL http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/18474-billion-bipac-8800nl/ . Again it's got Ethernet WAN and direct VDSL facilities and it's a LOT cheaper than the 2860.

The 2860 could be an option but seems like it quite a complicated router to set up containing many options I would never use and did not really want to go over budget. Would discount the billion as it only has one gigabit port which seems rather odd.

Thanks to everyone for the replies so far, much appreciated

Tacitus · Feb 04, 2015, 10:25:13

Have a look at the Zyxel SBG3800 although I'm not sure if this has a DMZ facility despite it being aimed at small business. Cheaper than the Draytek.

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/15862-zyxel-sbg3300-n000-gb01v1f/

I imagine these are also quite complicated to setup, but if you are looking for a DMZ facility you are going to be in the high end with all the complications that brings.

MisterW · Feb 04, 2015, 17:06:32

You might find this link http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php?topic=14436.0 useful. Ok, it's a list of combined (single box) modem/routers for FTTC but it's got some useful information and further links.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 04, 2015, 17:40:25

Quote from: Tacitus on Feb 04, 2015, 10:25:13
Have a look at the Zyxel SBG3800 although I'm not sure if this has a DMZ facility despite it being aimed at small business. Cheaper than the Draytek.

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/15862-zyxel-sbg3300-n000-gb01v1f/

I imagine these are also quite complicated to setup, but if you are looking for a DMZ facility you are going to be in the high end with all the complications that brings.

Looks like a good option and it does support DMZ. Will do some more digging into what sort of feedback it is getting.

Thanks

PUDtheAncient · Feb 04, 2015, 17:41:21

Quote from: MisterW on Feb 04, 2015, 17:06:32
You might find this link http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php?topic=14436.0 useful. Ok, it's a list of combined (single box) modem/routers for FTTC but it's got some useful information and further links.

Thank you very much

, will have a read through.

Tacitus · Feb 04, 2015, 19:07:01

Quote from: PUDtheAncient on Feb 04, 2015, 17:40:25
Looks like a good option and it does support DMZ. Will do some more digging into what sort of feedback it is getting.
Thanks

If you look at the reviews on BroadBand Buyer, they are mostly negative - or were when I last looked. Much of this related to early versions of the firmware which I imagine has since been updated. If you do get one it would be as well to check their FTP site for the latest version.

I think they are Broadcom based, which means that should OpenReach introduce PhyR they should be OK, as should vectoring which (I think) is also supposed to work better on Broadcom kit.

I've used Zyxel kit in the past and found it to be OK. In fact until I went to Fibre I had one of their 662H ADSL models which was very reliable. Their support used to be good but I've not heard anything recently.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 08, 2015, 16:59:14

Quote from: Tacitus on Feb 04, 2015, 19:07:01
If you look at the reviews on BroadBand Buyer, they are mostly negative - or were when I last looked. Much of this related to early versions of the firmware which I imagine has since been updated. If you do get one it would be as well to check their FTP site for the latest version.

I think they are Broadcom based, which means that should OpenReach introduce PhyR they should be OK, as should vectoring which (I think) is also supposed to work better on Broadcom kit.

I've used Zyxel kit in the past and found it to be OK. In fact until I went to Fibre I had one of their 662H ADSL models which was very reliable. Their support used to be good but I've not heard anything recently.

From what I have read over the last few days the Zyxel is not getting good feedback. Seems to be a problem with Apple gear ie Mac, IPad etc which would be a major problem for me. Also people are complaining that there support is pretty poor. Think that one is a miss for me.

Currently looking at the Asus RT-AC66U and the RT-AC68U at the moment.

Tacitus · Feb 08, 2015, 21:20:04

Quote from: PUDtheAncient on Feb 08, 2015, 16:59:14
From what I have read over the last few days the Zyxel is not getting good feedback. Seems to be a problem with Apple gear ie Mac, IPad etc which would be a major problem for me. Also people are complaining that there support is pretty poor. Think that one is a miss for me.

Not sure why there should be a problem with Apple gear unless it's something to do with the wireless - I'm a Mac user so it's worth knowing. Zyxel support used to be pretty good but I too get the impression it's gone downhill over the last year or two

Quote from: PUDtheAncient on Feb 08, 2015, 16:59:14
Currently looking at the Asus RT-AC66U and the RT-AC68U at the moment.

Asus kit does seem to be getting a good rep at the moment.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 09, 2015, 19:40:38

Quote from: Tacitus on Feb 08, 2015, 21:20:04
Not sure why there should be a problem with Apple gear unless it's something to do with the wireless - I'm a Mac user so it's worth knowing. Zyxel support used to be pretty good but I too get the impression it's gone downhill over the last year or two

Asus kit does seem to be getting a good rep at the moment.

As you surmised it is something to do with the wireless. Seems like you are unable to stream videos like Youtube, twitch etc. As all my gear is Apple this would make the router a useless paper weight.

Tacitus · Feb 10, 2015, 07:30:47

Quote from: PUDtheAncient on Feb 09, 2015, 19:40:38
As you surmised it is something to do with the wireless. Seems like you are unable to stream videos like Youtube, twitch etc. As all my gear is Apple this would make the router a useless paper weight.

Must be something to do with Zyxel's implementation of the standard as I've streamed video on both my MacBook and iPad via the Cisco stuff we have at work with no problems.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 10, 2015, 11:37:02

Quote from: Tacitus on Feb 10, 2015, 07:30:47
Must be something to do with Zyxel's implementation of the standard as I've streamed video on both my MacBook and iPad via the Cisco stuff we have at work with no problems.

Doing the same with my MacBook and IPad with Draytek gear and never any problems here. Zyxel must have something seriously wrong with their implementation.

PUDtheAncient · Feb 17, 2015, 18:50:39

Decided to go for the Asus RT-AC68U in the end. My upgrade to fibre happens on Thursday so I will let you know how I get on with Asus over the weekend. Thanks for all the help