'All in one' modem/router (for ADSL & VDSL) or HG612 & router?

InQ · 5 Nov 2014 at 12:56

Currently have ADSL2+ (via XILO LLU (TalkTalk reseller)) with a Netgear DG834GT router, its only a 'G' capable router and it can get flaky at times (my phone sometimes hangs 'obtaining IP address' even though the phone IP is reserved a specific IP for exmple, also with the kids and wife the number of wifi devices is approaching 10 and can be in use all at once).

Fibre is imminent (31/12/14, cab has been in since August) so its got me wondering about VDSL modem router options (all in ones) or seperate modem and routers. Not sure which ISP yet (either BT, XILO or Zen probably) but HH5 doesnt fill me with confidence for example.

The Asus DSL-AC68U 'all in one' seemed ok but the reviews and feedback on stability on this very forum arent great.
The Billion 8800NL looks ok and cheap but only 2.4GHz N and wifi coverage is not meant to be too hot.

Anything else to consider?

OR

Do i go seperate Huawei HG612 (Openreach modem) unlocked for stats and normal router? (eg Asus RT-AC68U or Netgear R7000 Nighthawk)
Would this be easy to setup?
I could use my current DG834GT as modem only for ADSL until VDSL is fitted (apparently set the DG834GT to modem only, then in the router i'm using pick PPPoE and input the ISP details?).

However I did read the HG612 can connect to ADSL, anyone doing this?

Bane · 5 Nov 2014 at 13:27

Billion have 8800AXL that supports 2.4 and 5GHz, but not seen in stock and is vastly more expensive than 8800NL.

philip2009 · 5 Nov 2014 at 13:37

When I read about current combined residential VDSL modem routers I also tend to see complaints about modem performance, maybe there's a clear winner I'm not aware of? I actually do have a combined VDSL modem router that gives high syncs and rock solid connectivity but it's relatively expensive and not suitable for the typical home user(Juniper SRX110H-VA).

At the moment I'm back to playing with a HG612 and I think the separate modem(with stats) and router is the way to go. You can get some really brilliant routers by taking this route whereas the combined devices often seem lacking in one area or another.

Setup is easy - flash HG612(trivial), one HG612 LAN port goes to the WAN port on your router, the other into a switch port so you can access the HG612 via its IP address(and get stats etc), connect router via PPPoE. Done.

InQ · 5 Nov 2014 at 14:56

Thanks.
So does the router take the default ip address (say 192.168.1.1) and then allocate the modem an ip say 192.168.1.2 from its DHCP server?

Ragnahex · 5 Nov 2014 at 15:10

am currently playing with the asus dsl-ac68u which is a all in one combo. Some people have had problems with it but at the moment mine is working fine and tidies stuff up a fair bit. Did have to flash it instantly to get it to work

InQ · 5 Nov 2014 at 20:39

OK might leave it a bit, firmware update(s) might make the DSL-AC68U more stable from a fibre modem point of view.

Looking into the HG612 for ADSL and i cant say i've found many people using it with ADSL with any real success. Likewise my DG834GT (with DGTeam firmware) in 'modem only' mode seems a bit hit and miss.

PS the DSL-AC68U can connect to ADSL as well on its own?

philip2009 · 6 Nov 2014 at 00:42

InQ said:
Thanks.
So does the router take the default ip address (say 192.168.1.1) and then allocate the modem an ip say 192.168.1.2 from its DHCP server?

AFAIK the HG612 has to have a static IP address set via the control panel(you can set it up as a DHCP server, but not a client).

InQ · 6 Nov 2014 at 08:13

Could I use my DG834GT as is (ip set as 192.168.1.1) but switch off its DHCP server, connect a wireless router eg RT-AC68U, give it an ip address of 192.168.1.2 and enable it's DHCP server (use range 192.168.1.3 upwards). Would this work ok?

Edit
Also I could switch off its wireless side as well.

philip2009 · 6 Nov 2014 at 08:31

I think(?) you can use your DG834GT as a simple ADSL modem and connect to it using PPPoE with a RT-AC68U - example here.

InQ · 6 Nov 2014 at 08:48

Yea i kinda read about the modem only option but seemed to be a bit hit and miss, maybe I'm wrong and reading only negative things (positive stuff doesn't tend to get posted!). Guess I won't know until I buy a router and try it.

philip2009 · 6 Nov 2014 at 08:54

Standalone ADSL modems are cheap, like the TP-Link TD-8817(reviews on a certain rainforest based website). I used one to test out my ASUS RT-N66U before fibre was installed(at which point I just swapped out the ADSL modem for VDSL).

InQ · 8 Nov 2014 at 11:12

Well my RT-AC68U has arrived, time to have a play and see if i can get the DG834GT to act as a modem only.