Gigabit Modem for Fibre Broadband

lumencreative · 25 Jan 2017 at 12:27

I am in the process of wiring up the network cables/sockets for our new office and have realised that the modem TalkTalk Business have supplied with our Fibre connection only has 10/100 Ethernet ports on the back.

I have spoken to TalkTalk and have got the settings I need for a third party modem, but I was just wondering whether I can use any ADSL modem as the Fibre modem we have from TalkTalk connects to the telephone socket as normal, or do I need a special modem?

I have seen modems that use WAN ports but then I'm still stuck with the 10/100 connection from the original modem.

Thanks

Terrier_Jimlad · 25 Jan 2017 at 12:30

VDSL not ADSL for fibre - why not just get a router with VDSL modem built in? Ditch both and you'll have 4-8 gigabit ports on the back

Gimpymoo · 25 Jan 2017 at 12:32

Just use a 1GB switch connected to the modem they give you?

bremen1874 · 25 Jan 2017 at 12:34

Adding a switch makes most sense.

It'll be the cheapest option and you avoid all of the ISP support issues you can get from not using the supplied kit.

lumencreative · 25 Jan 2017 at 12:56

Thanks for the replies. I will look into the options for a gigabit switch instead

varkanoid · 25 Jan 2017 at 15:14

Just be careful though as some gig switches auto down to the lowest speed connected to them. It all depends on how many devices you want connected. A VDSL Modem/router would be the best bet with gig ethernet ports but then you can only attach 4 devices unless you also buy a gig switch. If you only have a few devices a gig switch connected to the Talk Talk is not going to give you much benefit either unless you have something else on your network like a NAS or fileserver. If your devices mainly talk to the internet then they are going to go down to 100 when they go through the modem/router anyway so a gig switch is pointless.

bremen1874 · 25 Jan 2017 at 15:15

varkanoid said:
some gig switches auto down to the lowest speed connected to them

Name one.

varkanoid · 25 Jan 2017 at 15:28

we had some Netgear GS608 that did this when PC's were in sleep mode then recovered.

Also when connected to a printer too.

and while we are on the subject also got a Cisco WS-C2960X-48FPS-L doing the same thing although this is stranger because the router is a gig. All the ports are set to auto yet gig devices connect at 100. There are devices with 100 network cards too. Only way I can get them to connect at a gig is if I set the port to 1000. Not figured out whats happening yet as I didnt do the config. Person who had has left business.

Caged · 25 Jan 2017 at 15:53

If a switch knocks all the ports down to the speed of the slowest device then it is broken.

lumencreative · 25 Jan 2017 at 21:48

Just to update, having talked to my boss this afternoon about switches, it appears that I was mistaken and we are already having a gigabit switch (should have guessed by the number of computers but I hadn't been told I need to run network cables for the offices upstairs as well).

So, now, we're likely to be connecting 6 computers, 5 voip phones and 5 printers (we do digital printing), so have ordered a refurbished Netgear 48 port Gigabit Smart Switch. I've also suggested we get a small server through one of the many cash back deals which has also been approved so will have lots to play with when it all arrives and no doubt will be back for more help

varkanoid · 25 Jan 2017 at 23:05

If you are spending all that cash then I would add a VDSL modem/router with gigabit ports too as you could get a much better one than the talk talk supplied router for £150 or less. Your VOIP phones will thank you for it

Caged said:
If a switch knocks all the ports down to the speed of the slowest device then it is broken.

The Netgear ones were solved by a firmware update but we got rid of those anyway as they were nasty.