Best FTTC router for latency / throughput

crinkleshoes

crinkleshoes

crinkleshoes

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Just started the order process with Zen.

Looking to get my own router.

Wondering what's the best VDSL router at the moment as I have been out of the loop on that side for a while, having had cable connections for over 5 years.

The Virgin connection here is so bad, I need to migrate.

Zen have also given me a block of 8 external IP addresses, their standard router (Zxyel something) allows these to be assigned. I would like that feature with my new router too - but that's tertiary to speed and latency.

Thanks
 
If you're using Ubiquiti kit and don't need wifi how about an openreach modem and an Edgerouter Lite?
 
I actually already have a pfsense router - a rather over-specced one too, I just don't have a vdsl card for it


The included Zyxel is a VMG1312

I was also offered a £90 upgrade to the VMG8924 but declined as the only difference appeared to be wireless ac

Thanks for the ars link, I'll take a look
 
Are either of them any good though?

I've read it depends more upon compatibility between hardware vendors rather than much else with VDSL. So might depend more upon which hardware is in my local cabinet.

I remember in my time with ADSL/ADSL2+... a good modem vs bad modem could make the difference between 3 and 6 mbit and 15 and 30ms.

I have a Billion 7800 from the time I spent in France, unfortunately it's ADSL2+ maximum :(

I'm guessing the Draytek PCIe card you linked to will probably be my best choice for minimising latency. That's the main thing I care about even over throughput.
 
Instead of using the vdsl card (not sure if it's compatible with pfsense), you could always use a standalone modem - am sure draytek 130 would work. Also loads of cheap routers can be set in bridge mode.

Would be a bit of a waste not using your pfsense box, especially with 8 routable ip's. Probably be the most powerful and flexible solution..
 
I think you may be trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Pretty much any router is going to give you 'latency free' performance if all you need is basic NAT.

If you want to do a lot more with the router, especially crypto, then that could be a different story...

The more info you provide, the better the recommendation...
 
ov_sjo said:
I think you may be trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Pretty much any router is going to give you 'latency free' performance if all you need is basic NAT.

If you want to do a lot more with the router, especially crypto, then that could be a different story...

The more info you provide, the better the recommendation...
Click to expand...

I agree with this, these expensive 3rd party routers are going to give a ton of features you not need, but I don't see how they will improve latency, this is old technology I cannot imagine even the crappiest cheapest "new" router will add any significant latency for 1 user just doing normal "internet stuff"

If anyone KNOWS this is incorrect please let me know!
 
Well, I have compared ADSL2+ routers back to back and there was quite a bit of disparity with both ping and sync speed.

I don't know if this is carrying on into VDSL, but I suspect that there will be a difference.

For example, last time I was on ADSL2 was in France... the router that the ISP supplied would sync at about 3-3.5mbit and have latencies in the 40-50ms range.

My old old DG834G from my uni days was still working and would sync at about 4.5mbit with ~30ms pings.

It was a long-ish line as you can tell, so I knew the good reputation Billion have and got myself a 7800... this would sync at about 5.5mbit and my latencies went as low as 15-16ms... was a very nice improvement.

Now the main thing that's important to me is latency... the main use for this connection is going to be internet activity and gaming without much else... I've decided to keep the Virgin connection active, so that's going to be used as a download line.

For this connection, I would rather have a 40mbit connection with 5ms instead of a 400mbit connection with 30ms ping.

Just general browsing feels faster with a ping like that. I can really tell the difference.

I'm tempted to try that Draytek PCIe modem - it would be nice to have it going straight into my pfsense router. On the main page it lists support for multiple linux distributions so it should work with pfsense or be able to make it work without much trouble.

Otherwise that BTOR modem might be a good option.

I think I'll see what the Zyxel can do first.
 
Not sure where your socket is relative to the pfsense box but might be preferable to have a modem by the socket with a shorter length of telephone cable and a longer length of cat5e. Rather than potentially the other way around (if you had the pci-e card and your box wasn't nearby).
Otherwise that BTOR modem might be a good option.
Click to expand...
Huawei vs ECI - https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Product-Archive/FTTC-ECI-vs-Huawei-modems/td-p/791817
I think I'll see what the Zyxel can do first.
Click to expand...
Seems sensible if you're getting it anyway.
 
crinkleshoes said:
But isn't that "just" an ethernet router? What modem are you using?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's just a router. A bloody good one at that with huge throughput. I'm using the Dratek Vigor 130 but IME the BT supplied ones are more than up for the job.

I don't like having my modem and router in the same box as in my experience DLM has been quite savage and dropped my line speed or ping after a firmware upgrade for example.
 
beh said:
Not sure where your socket is relative to the pfsense box but might be preferable to have a modem by the socket with a shorter length of telephone cable and a longer length of cat5e. Rather than potentially the other way around (if you had the pci-e card and your box wasn't nearby).

Huawei vs ECI - https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Product-Archive/FTTC-ECI-vs-Huawei-modems/td-p/791817

Seems sensible if you're getting it anyway.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know about the disparities in hardware at the cabinet. Do you know where I can find the hardware in my local cabinet?

The new socket is being installed exactly where the kit is, so short cables :)

Dooksy said:
Yes, it's just a router. A bloody good one at that with huge throughput. I'm using the Dratek Vigor 130 but IME the BT supplied ones are more than up for the job.

I don't like having my modem and router in the same box as in my experience DLM has been quite savage and dropped my line speed or ping after a firmware upgrade for example.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I've heard good things about it - just with my overkill pfsense router (its an i3, 8gb, with server nics) an edgerouter would be redundant for me.
 
To follow up,

I've been using the Zyxel in bridge mode and I'm quite happy with it - stable 7ms pings in bridge going through the pfsense box.

It was sitting at about 10-12ms when the Zyxel was doing the routing.

The best possible hardware on this connection could perhaps get it down to 5ms... but 2ms isn't worth the cost as it's been rock solid, perfectly reliable without a single noticeable drop in over a month and it even re-synced to a higher speed... was about 77mbit to begin with, 80mbit now.

Upstream is at 30mbit sync... shame they won't enable to extra up as I'd quite like it.
 
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