Draytek routers, how good are they?

[Jon20]

I'm looking at getting a new Wireless N router and I've had a search through the forum and Draytek have come up. Now I'll admit that I've never heard of them before but they seem to be recommended. I've been looking at the Draytek 2710N http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-020-DK&groupid=46&catid=1452&subcat=
Are these reliable? I quite like the idea of it having a USB port to share the printer. Are there any better N routers?

Thanks.

 

[Berserker]

Are they good? Yes.
Are they reliable? Yes (uptime 2023 hours 40 minutes on mine).
Is there anything better? Possibly, but it depends what you want.

I've had wireless range issues with mine, but it's located in my home office and I'll wager there's a fair amount of RFI there (I lose 3G signal on my phone too). If I move it somewhere else, I'm sure it'll be fine.

 

[VaderDSL]

I've heard there have been some issues between the chipset on some Draytek routers and certain hardware in 21CN upgraded exchanges also.

 

[Jon20]

Thanks for the input so far guys. What I'm mainly looking for is good wireless range. Our exchange doesn't have any 21CN hardware as yet. What I was thinking of was getting the 2710n (or Vn) and also the Draytek 5DBi upgrade antennae. Does this sound like a sensible plan?

 

[Berserker]

I've heard there have been some issues between the chipset on some Draytek routers and certain hardware in 21CN upgraded exchanges also.

You can hear it from the horse's mouth because it's absolutely true. Draytek 2800/V/VG etc are affected by this. Variants of the 2800 use an older ADSL chipset that doesn't support some of the ADSL2/2+ extensions. As such, it is limited to ADSL (8Mbps) speeds unless certain workarounds are applied at the DSLAM. A few ISPs (most notably Be) know how to do this, but even with the workaround the hardware is unable to sync at the same speed as newer hardware.

As stated, this only affects the 2800 variants. Newer models such as the 2810 and 2710 do not have this problem.

Anyway, assuming you have a good location to place the router (i.e. away from RFI), it sounds like an excellent plan.

 

[mejinks]

You can hear it from the horse's mouth because it's absolutely true. Draytek 2800/V/VG etc are affected by this. Variants of the 2800 use an older ADSL chipset that doesn't support some of the ADSL2/2+ extensions. As such, it is limited to ADSL (8Mbps) speeds unless certain workarounds are applied at the DSLAM. A few ISPs (most notably Be) know how to do this, but even with the workaround the hardware is unable to sync at the same speed as newer hardware.

As stated, this only affects the 2800 variants. Newer models such as the 2810 and 2710 do not have this problem.

Anyway, assuming you have a good location to place the router (i.e. away from RFI), it sounds like an excellent plan.

I have the 2800 and mine was fine in Cardiff, which I would assume is 21CN. Horses for courses though I suppose, I couldn't fault my 2800 when I had it patched up to date fully.

 

[Demon]

Thanks for the input so far guys. What I'm mainly looking for is good wireless range. Our exchange doesn't have any 21CN hardware as yet. What I was thinking of was getting the 2710n (or Vn) and also the Draytek 5DBi upgrade antennae. Does this sound like a sensible plan?

Since you can now buy N wireless access points for £35 these days, which can act as extenders as well, it may be worth considering using a normal router and getting 2 or more of the cheaper access points/extenders to really increase your coverage. I've tried aerials etc before, but have always found that having multiple access points used to extend has always been a much better solution.

It also frees up your choice of router etc to ensure you don't limit yourself un-necessarily.

 

[sibeer]

Draytek are the best routers around for the price IMHO. I use a number of Draytek 2820N and 2800 routers accross my business to provide internet access and VPN connections. The stability and functionality them is far in advance of the mixture of Netgear, Thompson, Linksys, Belkin, Zoom, Zyxel, etc I used in the past. My fave bit is that every branch now has a cheap 3G pay as you go so they never go down when there are faults with ISP's, exchanges or lines, great stuff.

As far as wireless range is concerned they are as good as i have used, but the best solution is always further access points. Their tech support are very switched on so I would consider sending them a pre-sales enquiry if you need more info on what would suit your needs, [email protected]

 

[boxman2000]

I'm on my second Draytek, had a 2600 for a few years and never had an issue with it - never dropped connection (unless ISP threw a wobbler). Bought range extender aerials and had no problems at all. I was advised that the firmware updates can cause issues – never updated it but never had any need to.

Moved over to a 2820vn over the past year – being honest I have found it a bit buggier than the 2600. I find when using my EEE which uses Draft-802.11n and then any other 802.11b or g device the wifi side stops working until I switch it off and on twice!!?! I know there will be a Firmware update when Draft-n is approved so for such a minor issue I can live with it until then.

Wouldn’t be without the gigabit port on it either – very useful!

Range I have no complaints either – it’s in virtually the worst part of the house at the moment, on top of a sub, by the TV, right in the corner of the house, furthest away from most things (only telephone point at the moment), that said I get full good signal on the top floor (three story house).

Have installed the 2820vn in a few locations for work’s DR/management remote access through our Cisco router and was very simple to do.

IMO if you want good security, excellent range and can justify the price I would highly recommend Draytek. Higher end Netgear would be my only other alternative for home use.

 

[Benihana]

Another vote for the 2820vn, only had it a few weeks but the stability and wireless are miles ahead of my old Netgear DG834N, which i'm now using as an access point for the other side of the house. Not that the Draytek doesn't reach, just seems a shame to waste it!

 

[SMN]

I used about 20 draytek routers on customer sites in the past year and 90% have been OK - the problem with Draytek is firmware. It is very flaky - ive had Draytek 2820n's out of the box with the wireless bricked by firmware :S Which was strange.

They are a cheap alternative to a Cisco 877 IMO - they do QoS and other things well but i personally dont like them. If your going to do something do it properly and go the whole hog.

 

[Tomsk]

I've used Draytek routers since I dumped my green frog.
My only criticism is the wireless could be better.

 

[Berserker]

I have the 2800 and mine was fine in Cardiff, which I would assume is 21CN. Horses for courses though I suppose, I couldn't fault my 2800 when I had it patched up to date fully.

It will work just fine, but it won't sync as fast as it should. My line is capable of 10Mbps (measured with the Be Box), but my 2800VG won't sync beyond 8Mbps. I can live with that, but some others with better lines might not feel so happy.

I used about 20 draytek routers on customer sites in the past year and 90% have been OK - the problem with Draytek is firmware. It is very flaky - ive had Draytek 2820n's out of the box with the wireless bricked by firmware :S Which was strange.

Yes, that would be my criticism too. I did a firmware upgrade on my previous 2600 which caused the modem to die after a few hours. However, Draytek support were good and had new firmware for me within days. My 2600 (now donated to my parents as they don't seem too worried about it being a little slow) is still running on that firmware to this day.

 

[Jon20]

I received the Draytek Vigor 2710Vn earlier on and it seems to be working well. The wireless range seems to be much improved over the Netgear DG834PN that I was using. Only issue I've got is setting up sharing of the printer through the USB port on the router. I just can't get it to work. Now I am a networking noob so I was hoping someone might be able to give me a run through of what to do? I've followed what it says in the manual but I just get a warning that Windows can't share the printer, after I've put a share name in.

 

[Skidilliplop]

you shouldn't be sharing it through windows. If it's attached to the router it'll either need adding as a network printer shared off the router or as a local printer over TCP/IP port.

As for which way round it depends on how the firmware deals with it, some work as true IP print servers others (usually cheaper ones) act as a *nix host sharing a locally attached printer.

 

[Jon20]

you shouldn't be sharing it through windows. If it's attached to the router it'll either need adding as a network printer shared off the router or as a local printer over TCP/IP port.

As for which way round it depends on how the firmware deals with it, some work as true IP print servers others (usually cheaper ones) act as a *nix host sharing a locally attached printer.

How would I go about doing this? Do I do it through the web interface for the router or through windows?

 

[stockhausen]

I received the Draytek Vigor 2710Vn earlier on and it seems to be working well. The wireless range seems to be much improved over the Netgear DG834PN that I was using. Only issue I've got is setting up sharing of the printer through the USB port on the router. I just can't get it to work. Now I am a networking noob so I was hoping someone might be able to give me a run through of what to do? I've followed what it says in the manual but I just get a warning that Windows can't share the printer, after I've put a share name in.

I suggest you should have a go at googling "using the vigor's printer port". The likely first hit will work - I know because I have used this detailed guide with multiple PCs, albeit on a different Modem/Router.

 

[Jon20]

I suggest you should have a go at googling "using the vigor's printer port". The likely first hit will work - I know because I have used this detailed guide with multiple PCs, albeit on a different Modem/Router.

OK I've tried that and it allows me to print from my PC but when ever I try to share the printer so that other PC's can use it, I still get an error saying
"Printer settings could not be saved. Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000842)."
Now am I missing something (most likely )?

 

[Duke]

Why are you trying to share it again via your PC? Can't you just install it on each PC and point it to the router which is doing the sharing of the printer?

 

[Jon20]

Why are you trying to share it again via your PC? Can't you just install it on each PC and point it to the router which is doing the sharing of the printer?

Like I said, I'm most likely doing it wrong So let me get this straight, you install the printer on each computer in the normal way (in this case just plug it into a usb port and let windows do the work), plug the printer back into the USB port on the router and then what? Sorry for being such a noob but my networking skills extend as far as getting a PC to access the internet via wireless.