FTTC Modem/Router Query

SirCadian · Aug 07, 2015, 12:29:58

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade from DSL to FTTC in the next couple of months. I currently have a fileserver and a couple of other machines running over a gigabit network connected to a Billion BiPAC 7800N. The Billion is old now and years of running 24/7 has started to take it's toll, I'm seeing intermittent errors connecting to the management GUI and I think it's only a matter of time before it gives up the ghost entirely. As a consequence, I'm looking to get a new router as part of the upgrade.

I'm a gamer so I'm pretty fussy about latency and packet-loss as well as general throughput. I've been with IDNet for years and the service has, largely, been faultless so I'll be picking up an IDNet FTTC package. My issue is that I really need a router with at least four Gigabit ports integrated and neither the Zyxel or Billion 8800NL offer this. Reading around thinkbroadband, idnetters, etc. there doesn't seem to be a clear pick in terms of kit.

I've got a few choices:
- Separate modem and router (something like the Vigor 130 or BiPAC 8200M paired with a Netgear AC1900 or similar).
- Integrated modem and router (no clear choice here but something like the BiPAC 8800AXL).
- Go with the BiPAC 8800NL or Zyxel AMG1302-T10B supplied by IDNet and just hook it up to a multi-port 10/100/1000 switch.

Any advice/guidance would be very welcome.

Simon · Aug 07, 2015, 12:55:28

I'm not the one to offer guidance on this, but I'm sure some help will be along soon.

MisterW · Aug 07, 2015, 13:59:52

You might want to look at this combined unit http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-15_TD-W9980.html , its has 4 gigabit ports and value for money is pretty good. You can pick it up for £61.99 at Currys/PcWorld ( surprisingly! )

SirCadian · Aug 07, 2015, 18:21:19

Thanks MisterW, I'll take a look. Doesn't necessarily have to be a cheap option, I'd take stable/reliable/fast over cheap any day of the week. Nothing annoys me more than internet drop-outs and/or lag.

Steve · Aug 07, 2015, 18:57:48

If your going for a separate vdsl modem have a look at the Asus line, I've used the RT N66U for a couple of years and it's been fine.

SirCadian · Aug 12, 2015, 16:24:45

I think I may end up going with the new Netgear Nighthawk D7000 that's just launched.

Looks like it covers all the bases and there's not much variety/option out there at the minute...

MisterW · Aug 12, 2015, 16:54:23

There useful info on most of the currently available vdsl modem/routers here http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php?topic=14436.0 including the D7000

Tacitus · Aug 13, 2015, 13:29:26

Worth noting that most of the better performers in the Kitz list use a Broadcom chipset. Draytek stick to Lantiq and certainly the 2760 suffers as a result. It's very stable so possibly they traded speed for stability, but it's definitely outclassed by the Zyxel SBG 3300 which is significantly more expensive and has features you might not need. EG VPN endpoint.

Glenn · Aug 13, 2015, 14:21:03

The Fritzbox range are good take a look at http://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/

SirCadian · Aug 13, 2015, 15:28:03

Quote from: MisterW on Aug 12, 2015, 16:54:23
There useful info on most of the currently available vdsl modem/routers here http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php?topic=14436.0 including the D7000

Really useful link! Thanks.

Quote
Worth noting that most of the better performers in the Kitz list use a Broadcom chipset. Draytek stick to Lantiq and certainly the 2760 suffers as a result. It's very stable so possibly they traded speed for stability, but it's definitely outclassed by the Zyxel SBG 3300 which is significantly more expensive and has features you might not need. EG VPN endpoint.

Yeah, I noticed the Broadcom chipset seemed to mean better stability/speed. I'd been looking seriously at the Billion 8800AXL and the Netgear D7000. The wifi range and performance on the Billion is poor but I have a few powerline wifi extenders scattered about the house anyway so that probably won't be an issue. I'm a little wary of netgear as I tend to find their kit is somewhat cheaply built and suffers from poor thermal management. I've not run with a netgear router in a good 10 years though, so maybe that's changed. I'd not considered the SBG 3300, as there's not much discussion about it on Kitz's site. Kitz seems to favour the Zyxel kit (VMG8324-B10A) and it seems to have decent firmware backing it up. I'll take a look, see if I can dig up some reviews.

Quote
The Fritzbox range are good take a look at http://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/

I've pretty much dismissed Fritzbox at this point. As mentioned above, I think I want to be picking up a router that's based on the Broadcom chipset.

Thanks for the help so far, gents...much appreciated.

SirCadian · Aug 13, 2015, 16:44:24

Had a look at the Zyxel SBG3300-N. It seems to have a problem streaming video from apple devices. I have a few apple devices on my network so this effectively rules it out for now. I'll keep an eye out to see if they are able to fix it over the next few weeks...

Gary · Aug 14, 2015, 08:30:59

As far as Broadcom performing better, a lot depends on your line still still, and your Cab. If you have a Huawei then go for Broadcom pretty much, but I always get a faster sync off a Lantiq chipset on my ECI cab than broadcom. Everyone's mileage may vary, also I don't like all in ones, I like the choice of separate modem and router, its like hifi separates, you get the best of both worlds, and Netgear are not known for amazing modems. As far as the D7000 its new, very new, give it time to mature, never buy bleeding edge unless you want a world of hurt. I mean the AC87U after a year out is still a mess with no Mu-Mimo no beamforning, and that's all down to an immature Quantenna chipset. (not that anyone needs a router that powerful at this time tbh)

SirCadian · Sep 06, 2015, 10:56:31

Been away on hols, apologies for the tardy response.

Quote from: Gary on Aug 14, 2015, 08:30:59
As far as Broadcom performing better, a lot depends on your line still still, and your Cab. If you have a Huawei then go for Broadcom pretty much, but I always get a faster sync off a Lantiq chipset on my ECI cab than broadcom. Everyone's mileage may vary, also I don't like all in ones, I like the choice of separate modem and router, its like hifi separates, you get the best of both worlds, and Netgear are not known for amazing modems. As far as the D7000 its new, very new, give it time to mature, never buy bleeding edge unless you want a world of hurt. I mean the AC87U after a year out is still a mess with no Mu-Mimo no beamforning, and that's all down to an immature Quantenna chipset. (not that anyone needs a router that powerful at this time tbh)

How do I go about telling what cab I'm connected to?

SirCadian · Sep 06, 2015, 17:04:26

Never mind...I'll answer my own question in case anyone else is interested in how to find out their Cab.

Instructions are available over at Kitz' website here.

It seems I'm on an ECI cab. Might be worth looking at a Lantiq chipset on that basis, thanks Gary. Looking more closely at the AVM Fritz!Box 3490 now...

Polchraine · Sep 14, 2015, 11:47:47

Have just seen this thread and will add my comments:

I prefer to have separate Modem, Router and Switch. Let each of them do what they are designed for rather tan having to deal with three separate processes and the processor switching around. If you are provided with a combined modem and router in a Hub then add your own Gbit switch. I personally run a Huawei HG612 modem into a 2-wire router which has just two LAN ports used - one to a switch and another to the second modem port so I can monitor the status there. The switch is a Cisco/Linksys managed switch.