Advice on ADSL Modem/Router - Please!

Dear Group,

My local exchange has been enabled for ADSL and I need some advice on
hardware. I'm fairly network aware, but don't have a lot of ADSL experience.

Can someone confirm my understanding of the hardware involved?

1) An ADSL modem allows the connection of a computer to the ADSL network?
Since I'd like to be able to share the ADSL connection amongst the machines
that I have, some hardwired and some by wireless, a USB type modem is out,
and I need a Modem/Router that provides an Ethernet interface?

2) I already have a Netgear FS108 10/100 Switch, so, if I understand the job
of the router correctly, I don't need a router with more than 1 Ethernet
port, since connecting the Router to the Switch will allow any PC also
connected to the Switch to access the Internet via the Router?

3) I already have (installed and working) a Netgear WG602 Wireless Access
Point. The AP is connected to the above switch. As I understand it, once the
Router is connected to the Switch, any PC connected to the Switch, via the
AP, will be able to access the Internet via the Router?

So my understanding is that I need a Non-wireless ADSL Modem/Router with a
single Ethernet port. Am I right so far?

Presuming that I am correct, is the SpeedTouch 510v4 single port a suitable
device?

I'm aware that I need to use the CLI for some settings, but I can cope with
that.

Does any experienced user have any advice on the 510?

Any recommendations for a supplier? Best price?

Any suggestions for an alternative?

TIA

Foxy :-)~


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FireFox wrote:

> Dear Group,
>
> My local exchange has been enabled for ADSL and I need some advice on
> hardware. I'm fairly network aware, but don't have a lot of ADSL experience.
>
> Can someone confirm my understanding of the hardware involved?
>
> 1) An ADSL modem allows the connection of a computer to the ADSL network?
> Since I'd like to be able to share the ADSL connection amongst the machines
> that I have, some hardwired and some by wireless, a USB type modem is out,
> and I need a Modem/Router that provides an Ethernet interface?
>
> 2) I already have a Netgear FS108 10/100 Switch, so, if I understand the job
> of the router correctly, I don't need a router with more than 1 Ethernet
> port, since connecting the Router to the Switch will allow any PC also
> connected to the Switch to access the Internet via the Router?
>
> 3) I already have (installed and working) a Netgear WG602 Wireless Access
> Point. The AP is connected to the above switch. As I understand it, once the
> Router is connected to the Switch, any PC connected to the Switch, via the
> AP, will be able to access the Internet via the Router?
>
> So my understanding is that I need a Non-wireless ADSL Modem/Router with a
> single Ethernet port. Am I right so far?
>
> Presuming that I am correct, is the SpeedTouch 510v4 single port a suitable
> device?
>

Yes. Obviously you could get the 4-port version instead and have 3 extra
ports.

In article <bpeeq8$1liihp$(E-Mail Removed)>, FireFox wrote:
> Can someone confirm my understanding of the hardware involved?
>[...]
> 2) I already have a Netgear FS108 10/100 Switch, so, if I understand the job
> of the router correctly, I don't need a router with more than 1 Ethernet
> port, since connecting the Router to the Switch will allow any PC also
> connected to the Switch to access the Internet via the Router?

Correct, but why limit your choice? Most of the modem/routers seem to have four
connectors anyway, and you don't have to use them all if you don't want to.

> 3) I already have (installed and working) a Netgear WG602 Wireless Access
> Point. The AP is connected to the above switch. As I understand it, once the
> Router is connected to the Switch, any PC connected to the Switch, via the
> AP, will be able to access the Internet via the Router?

Correct again. Even though you can obtain combined modem/router/hub/wireless
units, it makes sense to have the wireless unit in a separate box, because the
best location for radio contact may not coincide with the best location for
wiring. The wireless unit will only need one ethernet cable connected to it
(apart from power of course), and will be easier to move if necessary.

Rod.

Good point Rodabout combined modem/router/hub/wireless units, it makes sense
to have the wireless unit in a separate box, because the best location for
radio contact may not coincide with the best location for wiring. The
wireless unit will only need one ethernet cable connected to it (apart from
power of course), and will be easier to move if necessary.

I was about to rush out and get the new Draytek combined unit but you've
made me pause for thought.

Is there a rule of thumb for the best location for the wireless unit. In a
2 storey house is it the loft?

Mark

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003, "FireFox" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>So my understanding is that I need a Non-wireless ADSL Modem/Router with
>a single Ethernet port. Am I right so far?

yes, that's the minimum spec. I found the one-port AR11 was fine, while
the 4 port AR41 had slightly more software features, and while the AR11
was only 10 Mbps, the AR41 is 10/100. So there may be some advantage in
paying a little more for the four port (as well as better saleability if
you decide to replace it later... a 4-port may be more attractive for a
new buyer as they won;t need a hub/switch). Just an observation.

The AR11 and AR41 are completely different make of router, but it was to
point out some differences that might be parallelled. Peter M.

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003, "Mark" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>In a 2 storey house is it the loft?

That might be best for coverage outside the house, but from a
simple relationship of power being related to the square of the
distance, then ceiling height of the ground floor (or, perhaps
more easily achieved!) floor level of the upper floor) may be
best, central within the property :-) Peter M.

In article <3fbb29d7$0$109$(E-Mail Removed)>, Mark wrote:
> I was about to rush out and get the new Draytek combined unit but you've
> made me pause for thought.
>
> Is there a rule of thumb for the best location for the wireless unit. In a
> 2 storey house is it the loft?

Very roughly in the middle of all the devices you want to connect to it,
though radio transmission can be affected by walls, wiring, and other metal
structures. If you have a large garden, for instance, you might like to
locate the wireless unit somewhere on the side of the house that faces the
garden, so you can use a laptop there. Best to experiment, which is why I
thought a device connected by one signal cable would be more practical than
one conected by several.

I agree the new Draytek wireless unit looks very tasty, and in my particular
case the location would probably be suitable, but I've already got the basic
non-wireless 2600, on which it is presumably based, and it works very well,
so if I add wireless capability I will probably add to the existing setup
rather than buy the same thing again.

Rod.

"Bat Guano" <bat.guano@talk21dotcom> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> FireFox wrote:
>
> > Dear Group,
> >
> > My local exchange has been enabled for ADSL and I need some advice on
> > hardware. I'm fairly network aware, but don't have a lot of ADSL
experience.
> >
> > Can someone confirm my understanding of the hardware involved?
> >
> > 1) An ADSL modem allows the connection of a computer to the ADSL
network?
> > Since I'd like to be able to share the ADSL connection amongst the
machines
> > that I have, some hardwired and some by wireless, a USB type modem is
out,
> > and I need a Modem/Router that provides an Ethernet interface?
> >
> > 2) I already have a Netgear FS108 10/100 Switch, so, if I understand the
job
> > of the router correctly, I don't need a router with more than 1 Ethernet
> > port, since connecting the Router to the Switch will allow any PC also
> > connected to the Switch to access the Internet via the Router?
> >
> > 3) I already have (installed and working) a Netgear WG602 Wireless
Access
> > Point. The AP is connected to the above switch. As I understand it, once
the
> > Router is connected to the Switch, any PC connected to the Switch, via
the
> > AP, will be able to access the Internet via the Router?
> >
> > So my understanding is that I need a Non-wireless ADSL Modem/Router with
a
> > single Ethernet port. Am I right so far?
> >
> > Presuming that I am correct, is the SpeedTouch 510v4 single port a
suitable
> > device?
> >
>
> Yes. Obviously you could get the 4-port version instead and have 3 extra
> ports.
>

Agreed, but I've already got several spare ports on the FS108. I can pay for
my 1st month with the price difference!

Foxy :-)~


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"Peter Morgan - 0870 432 9631" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) .net...
> On Wed, 19 Nov 2003, "FireFox" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >So my understanding is that I need a Non-wireless ADSL Modem/Router with
> >a single Ethernet port. Am I right so far?
>
> yes, that's the minimum spec. I found the one-port AR11 was fine, while
> the 4 port AR41 had slightly more software features, and while the AR11
> was only 10 Mbps, the AR41 is 10/100. So there may be some advantage in
> paying a little more for the four port (as well as better saleability if
> you decide to replace it later... a 4-port may be more attractive for a
> new buyer as they won;t need a hub/switch). Just an observation.
>
> The AR11 and AR41 are completely different make of router, but it was to
> point out some differences that might be parallelled. Peter M.

Peter,

The re-saleability is a good point, that I hadn't thought of. Also the speed
of the Ethernet port - I've checked the spec for the SpeedTouch and it is
10/100.

Foxy :-)~


---
Outgoing mail is certified free of all known Viruses.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.542 / Virus Database: 336 - Release Date: 18/11/2003

>I was about to rush out and get the new Draytek combined unit but you've
>made me pause for thought.

>Is there a rule of thumb for the best location for the wireless unit. In a
>2 storey house is it the loft?

My Draytek 2600We is fixed to upstairs window of a large bungalow. It covers
all of the bungalow and trough the window to another building 75m away and
10m lower into another window.
Regards,
Martin