Which DSL modem/router

[whetu]

ok, g33kflat have unanimously decided that shared dial up is ghey (hey.. dial up by itself is ghey:mad: ) and seeing as we are paying dsl line rental, we are in need of a dsl modem/router

what are your guys opinions?

requirements:
* cant be internal PCI as it has to interface with smoothwall
* must be cheap
* does not require a built in hub or switch only a single RJ45 connector is required as it will interface directly with the red interface on smoothwall box

Does anyone have experience with a Nokia NI500? This is the one we are looking at right now, but sources inform me that its software based...

any other suggestions or help welcome

cheers guys

[Hans]

I am using Ni-500 now.

U can configure that via telnet or the supplied CD. Sometimes it over heats and disconnects itself. Thus I've taken the top off and added a HSF. lol

The ICQ's send/receive file will no longer work. That's the only problem I've encountered.

[whetu]

kewl, thanks hans

Is it software dependant? Or does it interface exactly like any other router?

also what is the default state it arrives in with regards to data encapsulation and routing state (eg is routing enabled.. there would be absolutely NO point having two layers of NAT as smoothwall does NAT routing as well :p)

I guess what I mean is, is it fairly plug n play straight from the box?

[MrThc]

the Ni500's arent too bad, however they dont support DHCP or PinHoleing, I'd assume you would want to open up most ports to your smoothwall box and then run everything thru that. I have a Asus AAM6000EV external router, single ethernet interface.. its absolutely rock stable, have not had a single disconnection in months of operation. also the D-Link and Dynalink routers are pretty good, i'd take either of those over the Ni500

[KingJackal]

Dynalink here.

It has features like:
- DHCP Server
- RIPv1/RIPv2 operation ( or yes, you CAN turn RIP off )
- Encapsulation type ( PPPoA/PPPoE/IPoA/Bridge )
- LAN/WAN IP/netmask's ( yes, you can of course change these... )

AND it's cheaper!! :D

[Tojja]

We will be sourcing the Ni500 for $197 (just so there is a context of what "cheap" is).

How does that compare with the modems you refer to KJ?

[KingJackal]

One word:

WHERE?

They're normally around $500

[SecretSquirrel]

OMG! KJ = gobsmacked!

Anyway, I have used a Dynalink, very nice, easy to configure, I am presuming the same as KJs...the 504 (4 port 100mbit)

Goes like jesus on holiday. Currently back to the old PCI ADSL winmodem variety...Ni200...does the job however...

[Hans]

I think the default is NAT, so u end up with 2 layers of NAT.

It does not support DHCP thus you can't plug and play, like the M1122. It has the serial cable for config as well. I am not too sure about the default data encapsulation and routing state though, sorry.

[2 much thinking]

Originally posted by MrThc
the Ni500's arent too bad, however they dont support DHCP or PinHoleing, I'd assume you would want to open up most ports to your smoothwall box and then run everything thru that. I have a Asus AAM6000EV external router, single ethernet interface.. its absolutely rock stable, have not had a single disconnection in months of operation. also the D-Link and Dynalink routers are pretty good, i'd take either of those over the Ni500

ive got the same asus. very easy to set up, runs 24/7 and never had any problems.

the attached pic shows the wide options available IF you need them

BTW i wish thats what my real d/l speed was:)

i would highly recommend it

[whetu]

dont worry about DHCP, we've got DHCP in bucketloads here - 1x domain server with *gasp* dhcp! AND to top it off.. smoothwall can do dhcp as well :D So a lack of DHCP is hardly a concern to us

[MrThc]

the lack of being able to pinhole could be a problem tho, I know of a few people with Ni500's and they cant get things like Kazaa or Direct Connect running, aswell as other things like ICQ file transfers.. I'd say the best way to do it with the way things are setup is to open all necessery ports to your smoothwall box, then route the ports off from there to other pc's in the network, but I dont think the Ni500 allows you to do that, whereas the Asus, Dynalink, D'link or Nokia M1122 do allow it.. however, all that aside, a Ni500 for $197 is an absolute steal, and will probably do everything u want it too :D

[Geek4Life]

That asus one is at ascent for $299 at the moment ;)

[Agent666]

Am using a ni500 at the moment never had that disconnecting problem .... runs these fine.....

kazza
ICQ ..inc sending files (you just have to set it up properly)
MSN messenger
Yahoo messenger
had no problems running your run of the mill protocols through it ... ftp http etc etc

only thing it dont really do is you cant run a server behind it due to no pinholing......

Its not actually mine the dude is looking to sell it....... it has not got the disconnecting problem that the early ones had ... though it does get hot at times but has never disconnected on me.........

like others have eluded you need to hook it up via a serial port to configure it ..... dispite what some people tell you, you can configure it under winxp if you run the dslon software under win2000 compatibility mode..... so set it up via a windows box then transfer it to your smoothwall box.......

[Agent666]

oh direct connect works fine to........ but I dont really whore that much

[whetu]

Originally posted by Agent666
like others have eluded you need to hook it up via a serial port to configure it ..... dispite what some people tell you, you can configure it under winxp if you run the dslon software under win2000 compatibility mode..... so set it up via a windows box then transfer it to your smoothwall box.......

yup, i am aware that it is configured via telnet or similar.. in doing research i downloaded the manual and had a read ;) Cheers for the input agent :)

[Binky Stunt Cat]

you will need to be able to pinhole to get an active connection so you can download off me :D

[CmdrChris]

I just got a one of these.

http://www.zyxel.com/product/model.php?indexcate=1022047578&indexcate1=1021877946&indexFlagvalue=1021873638

as recomended by a friend. was not the cheapest but came highly recommended.

have not used it yet to comment but from what I have heard its good.

Hopefully xtra will get there money grabbing asses into gear and get my ADSL sorted this week :)

[Techie]

I have a zyxel unit but its crappy a mate down south is using it.
I work for a network vendor so im very biased. ;)

Get the 240E when it comes out.

Cheers,
Techie

[whetu]

Thanks Techie,

By 240E are you referring to a zyxel unit or an AT unit?

[Techie]

240E is a AT product with a statefull inspection firewall. ie it knows about DOS attacks, fragmented ip attacks etc....

Cheers,
Taylor

[Tojja]

.....and the price ?

[whetu]

hmmm I think this requires me giving up a kidney to the black market :rolleyes:

*looks at cricket bat*

hmmmmm steve wouldnt miss a kidney now would he :D

[Techie]

Im not sure what the 240 will be priced at but this reseller has it listed as
www.netsol.co.nz
ADSL Router; Firewall; 1xADSL Pt;1x10BT;1xUSB $482.88

But its awaiting telepermit which is what im working on today :)

I will stop being a pimp of AT.
I have heard that the asus and dynalink routers are both solid and can pinhole udp/tcp ports.
If you dont need to run standard vpn/ipsec tunnels then go for one of these. The software for both is avalible of a websites and both have support in nz.
Other vendors dont release the software to the public *cough nokia* or charge you for software upgrades *cough cisco*.
Dam cold :P

Good luck,
Techie

[whetu]

ok, related question:

Does Telecom use PPPoA -OR- PPPoE?

Currently looking at a 3com Homeconnect jobbie and research inidicates that one of the major cons is that it can be a complete ARSE to setup any security if you're using PPPoA (as the modem has then to convert from PPPoA to PPPoE and 3com have been stupid and made it convert to a format loosely based on the PPPoE standard called PPPoE:3com which brings about compatibility issues)

[Agent666]

about 95% sure they use PPPoA .......ppp over ATM (whatever that means

[DiscoStu]

yep - PPPoA ;)

[whetu]

there's a word for what i'm feeling right now... i'd say it but it would get filtered anyway so what's the point :mad:

[Techie]

ADSL queries for nz and its setup.

http://www.techie.net.nz/adsl/

http://www.nzadsl.co.nz/
http://www.telepermit.co.nz
http://unixathome.org/adsl/
Are good sites...

this might help you
http://www.bbarrera.com/networks.htm

or email me and i will try my best to help.

Regards,
Techie

[whetu]

once again techie pulls out all the stops... j00 rock techie:D

http://www.bbarrera.com/networks.htm

^^ yup, thats where i got my info while doing quick research... although i only skimmed through it, i'm going to give it a full on read now.

the 3com we are looking at is on trademe, and the seller isnt exactly being specific as to which model it is (there are a few models of homeconnect) the one that is definately at fault in this issue is the dual link model, however I'm certain that the model being sold is an ethernet model, and I'm unsure whether the issue applies as well to that model...

smoothwall should have been supporting internal itex based modems by now but itex had to go and be stupid and go under... so we have to go for an external model.. but we are poor g33ks and we already have most of what we need (security, NAT etc etc) so all we are after is a plain vanilla external ADSL modem... that is as cheap as possible...

never knew it was this hard :(

pity we missed out on a perfect model... alcatel speedtouch home... would have been PERFECT

*can you sense my whinging tijs? can ya? huh?*

P - E - R - F - E - C - T

*cries like a bizitch*

[KingJackal]

Originally posted by Techie
I will stop being a pimp of AT.


Don't make us force you.

I'm SURE that for the low price of a few Rapier 48's and a blade, every L3 attendee will gladly agree with you!
;) ;)

Pretty please??

Heh, I don't think we can argue with the quality of AT products - just that most of us are students ( hence my Generic switches and Dynalink router ;) )....

[Techie]

L3 with a switchblade! :)

The switch blade with 2 control cards + chassis + full of Gbit and 10/100 + clear side panel + neon lights + blues LEDS will cost about 100K US dollars.

How big will this lan be?
The switchblade can do up to 300-700 10/100 ethernet ports.

If you would like to borrow gear send me a proposal with your site, lan name, number of guys, whee the lans being held, the advantages for AT, current sponsors and gear you need.

whetu: Are you still in welly? if so can over and help try to setup your router etc...

Cheers,
Techie

[whetu]

techie, petone, not as far for you to drive ;):D

[Hans]

Agent 666, how do u setup ICQ to send/receive files from another person using Ni-500?

[Agent666]

under preferences >>> connections set it up as if you had a firewall.... works for me ... just play around in there and you will find a combo that works for you

[Hans]

Yes, i tried that setting. (I am on Ni-500)

I can receive files from another party if they are "active", i.e. not using internet share, or behind another Ni-500.

But I can't send/receive file if the other party is "passive". Anyone know a fix to that? No, u can't set pin holes for Ni-500.

[Hans]

After fiddling around the options, I finally got it to work. Thx