Question re D-Link 300T ADSL Ethernet Modem

I am finally about to get BB and have decided to go with Zen's ADSL Home
1000 (but I'm going to wait until Monday to sign to and take advantage of
the drop of £5 per month to £34.99!?!)

However I need to clarify a few points about the modem, I have been advised
by Zen that a Ethernet modem is a better option than a USB one, is this
correct?

Secondly Zen are offering a D-Link 300T Ethernet modem (includes 2
micro-filters) for £60.00 (£70.50 including V.A.T.) I have spoken to my
local computer retailer and they can offer the same unit for £43.49 with
V.A.T., but it only comes with 1 micro filter.

I have quite a simple set up at home, BT line directly into the room the PC
is in, with regards the micro-filters what are they for and would I actually
need two? Should I just go for the local cheaper option?

Regards,

Chegs.

"CheggersPop" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:clt728$nv3$(E-Mail Removed):

> However I need to clarify a few points about the modem, I have been
> advised by Zen that a Ethernet modem is a better option than a USB
> one, is this correct?

There can be issues with USB modems as you need to install drivers. An
ethernet modem doesn't require drivers.

> I have quite a simple set up at home, BT line directly into the room
> the PC is in, with regards the micro-filters what are they for and
> would I actually need two? Should I just go for the local cheaper
> option?

The microfilter/splitter splits and filters out the ADSL signal from the
phone signal so that the ADSL signal doesn't interfere with the phone.
The microfilter also provides you with the RJ11 socket for the modem.
You generally need a microfilter for every extension where you have a
phone connected, although you could get away with using a single
microfilter if your extensions plug into the master socket instead of
being hardwired.

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>> However I need to clarify a few points about the modem, I have been
>> advised by Zen that a Ethernet modem is a better option than a USB
>> one, is this correct?
>
> There can be issues with USB modems as you need to install drivers. An
> ethernet modem doesn't require drivers.
>
>> I have quite a simple set up at home, BT line directly into the room
>> the PC is in, with regards the micro-filters what are they for and
>> would I actually need two? Should I just go for the local cheaper
>> option?
>
> The microfilter/splitter splits and filters out the ADSL signal from the
> phone signal so that the ADSL signal doesn't interfere with the phone.
> The microfilter also provides you with the RJ11 socket for the modem.
> You generally need a microfilter for every extension where you have a
> phone connected, although you could get away with using a single
> microfilter if your extensions plug into the master socket instead of
> being hardwired.
>

Cheers for the reply Phil, look like I'll be adding another micro-filter to
the list, but my local store only charges about £4.50 for them, so it still
works out cheaper that then Zen option!

Thanks again,

Chegs!

"Phil Chung" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Xns95917BFF826F7pylchungnet@127.0.0.1...
> "CheggersPop" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:clt728$nv3$(E-Mail Removed):
>
> > However I need to clarify a few points about the modem, I have been
> > advised by Zen that a Ethernet modem is a better option than a USB
> > one, is this correct?
>
> There can be issues with USB modems as you need to install drivers. An
> ethernet modem doesn't require drivers.

By I assume that what Zen refer to as Ethernet modem is what is more commonly
known as an ADSL router/modem.

In which case you will need an Ethernet adapter if there is no one already on
the motherboard. And that will need drivers!

An ADSL router/modem is certainly a better option than a USB modem - IMHO The
wireless versions of these are becoming very popular. Many offer 10base-T &
100base-T as well as wireless..

See the reviews on www.adslguide.org.uk

--

Michael Chare

On 29 Oct 2004 in uk.telecom.broadband, "Michael Chare" wrote:

>I assume that what Zen refer to as Ethernet modem is what is more commonly
>known as an ADSL router/modem.

I think the particular model mentioned (which I came across thanks to Dave J
in a thread in another newsgroup) isn't a router, just an ADSL modem with an
ethernet port. I don't have one nor (without a manual) am I likely to force
my head around the choice Zen made of this particular unit (unless it was to
be some easy option for the unit to sit in front of a LAN, where each system
has a public IP address, and using this particular unit would allow just the
use of a multi-port hub/switch to connect the systems on the LAN to the ADSL
connection, without any 'NAT setup' to workaround :-) Peter M.



--
PlusNet <http://tinyurl.com/24ymz> - I recommend them and save some cash.

-- "Peter M" <us-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On 29 Oct 2004 in uk.telecom.broadband, "Michael Chare" wrote:
>
> >I assume that what Zen refer to as Ethernet modem is what is more commonly
> >known as an ADSL router/modem.
>
> I think the particular model mentioned (which I came across thanks to Dave J
> in a thread in another newsgroup) isn't a router, just an ADSL modem with an
> ethernet port. I don't have one nor (without a manual) am I likely to force
> my head around the choice Zen made of this particular unit (unless it was to
> be some easy option for the unit to sit in front of a LAN, where each system
> has a public IP address, and using this particular unit would allow just the
> use of a multi-port hub/switch to connect the systems on the LAN to the ADSL
> connection, without any 'NAT setup' to workaround :-) Peter M.

In which case the description is perhaps correct, and the product best avoided
or further advice sought on ADSLGUIDE!

One advantage of a router is that you can run NAT which provides a good
firewall, whilst at the same time connecting multiple computers enabling file
and printer sharing between them, all sharing the single IP address provided by
the ISP..

Michael Chare

>
> Cheers for the reply Phil, look like I'll be adding another micro-filter to
> the list, but my local store only charges about £4.50 for them, so it still
> works out cheaper that then Zen option!
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Chegs!
>
>


.....and a LAN (network) card if your PC does not have one fitted /
onboard. Only £5 though.

Bill

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 11:46:19 +0100, CheggersPop wrote:

> Secondly Zen are offering a D-Link 300T Ethernet modem (includes 2
> micro-filters) for £60.00 (£70.50 including V.A.T.) I have spoken to my
> local computer retailer and they can offer the same unit for £43.49 with
> V.A.T., but it only comes with 1 micro filter.

I will suggest against this ethernet modem. Your best bet is to get a
modem/router, ebuyer has origo modem/router for around £33, micro-filter
will cost you around £1.50 each at ebuyer too.

On 29 Oct 2004 in uk.telecom.broadband, "Michael Chare" wrote:

>... and the product best avoided ...
>One advantage of a router is that you can run NAT ...

If I'd seen the first post earlier I'd have made exactly the same
suggestions (and second the comments from Wira One, regarding the
purchase of some alternative from Ebuyer or Dabs). Peter M.


--
PlusNet <http://tinyurl.com/24ymz> - I recommend them and save some cash.

In message <(E-Mail Removed)>, Wira One
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 11:46:19 +0100, CheggersPop wrote:
>
>> Secondly Zen are offering a D-Link 300T Ethernet modem (includes 2
>> micro-filters) for £60.00 (£70.50 including V.A.T.) I have spoken to my
>> local computer retailer and they can offer the same unit for £43.49 with
>> V.A.T., but it only comes with 1 micro filter.
>
>I will suggest against this ethernet modem. Your best bet is to get a
>modem/router, ebuyer has origo modem/router for around £33, micro-filter
>will cost you around £1.50 each at ebuyer too.

Those cheap ebuyer microfilters are likely to be one of the poorer
quality designs, though - it's better to pay more for something of
better quality IMHO. Personally, I went for a (modified) faceplate
filter, and don't regret doing so.


For an ADSL router, I'm using a ZyXEL Prestige 650H-E1 - just under 40
pounds including VAT from broadbandbuyer.co.uk. Whilst it lacks some of
the features of more expensive ZyXEL models, it's a good box for the
money.

Multicast (IGMP) is documented as broken in the firmware release notes,
and doesn't appear to work, but apart from that, all seems well.
Multicast is of minimal use at the moment in any case.



David
--
David Wood
(E-Mail Removed)