ADSL modems:

[Paddy]

I am thinking about going with Zen has anyone (UK) heard of them?

[THE_Editor]

I'm running Alcatel usb adsl modem too.

On my second one!!

Apparently it "lost" synchronisation with the double underhead hydro bollicker bastards !! (It started displaying a yellow doo-dar instead of a greenie !!) BT came ( a bloody WEEK later and exchanged it, saying it was the first time they ever had this happen!!)

Otherwise . .. Its a great modem.

[Paddy]

right, i've paid for the service. Now i need to get the modem...

I have 3PCs networked through a hub (Netgear FE108).
The ISP will give me 8 static IPs.
What is going to be the best way to connect and share?

[DGhost]

USB is a bad idea for any sort of networking connection... USB has 1) a high CPU overhead in order to use it, and 2) been shown to be very buggy with the ADSL/Cable Modem/Satallite modems/network adaptors that i have tried...

i would either go with an internal PCI (and i'm not sure why Gurm doesn't recommend them -it may not be the most convienient thing as you would have to tell your computer to connect to the internet) or you get one of the ADSL modem/network router/NAT device combo.

i would recommend the latter, especially if you have multiple computers accessing it... all you do is plug your network into the modem and re-configure all the computers to use DHCP (assuming the router supports DHCP)...

Qwest (before they sold their DSL ISP division over to MSN) provided my girlfriends mother with a Cisco ADSL modem/router combo... worked like a charm and highly managable...

[Paddy]

I realise that the best method would be to connect the modem to the router and then do the DHCP jiggle as you stated.

I have the hardware stated above.

Do i need to buy a router AND an ADSL modem???

[Paddy]

concerning these micro filters:

I have (will ) two extensions on the master BT socket.
Two have phones on, one is dedicated for the PC.
Do i need micro filters for when using the phone, or internet, or both? If i only need them for using the phone, then i only need 2, right?

[Taz]

You can get routers with built in ADSL modems such as the Netgear DG814 and SMC Barricade 7401BRA both around £120.00.

[Paddy]

I have seen a D-Link DSL-504 ADSL Router with 4 Port 10/100 Switch for £86.95 at scan.co.uk

Has anyone seen this?

[Marshmallowman]

I am using an alcatel speedtouch adsl modem (ethernet) and a dlink 804 switch/router. I used to have a linux box for a router conected to a switch
, but I got the 804 nice n cheap.

The good thing about the separate router/switch is that it will work with cable as well, so If I ever move to an area that has cable internet, I just have to replace the modem and keep the router

I am very happy with my setup.

edit : to add, before you buy a router, check it does what you want...eg NAT ,VPN, voice over IP,easy to configure for servers/games....etc

[Paddy]

Just to complicate matters further.
My local cable company out of the blue phoned me up this morning and tried to sell me their 600/128kbps modem. it is a much, much better offer (free kit, no install fee, lower rental) but it's with NTL.

It seems a bit fishy to me... but if they CAN provide it, then i'll go for it. They have always told me that it's available, and then withdrawn it last minute.... I hold baited breath...

[ayoub_ibrahim]

Paddy have a look here

[Paddy]

cheers Ayoub!

[rugger]

USB ADSL modems work fine.

Just connected one up now. (Dynalink USB)

They might not be as nice as ethernet ADSL modems, but they are not bad by any means.

For reference, the RTL8029 NIC is significantly worse than the Dynalink ADSL modem in terms of CPU usage under windows 2000.

So don't overgeneralize!

[DentyCracker]

I've used the speedtouch usb without problems for 10 months at my previous job before coming here. I had no problems with it. It is still running now without anyproblems as far as I know, whch would make it 15 months of good service. The machine it was connected to is a win2k advanced server box that supplied network connectivity to a 10 node network running MS ProxyServer 2.

[LvR]

I love my Speed Touch USB too.