Fed up of O2 modem/router & want replacement - and a gigabit switch :)

SqualidChimp

SqualidChimp

SqualidChimp

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20 Oct 2002
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610
Location
Glasgow
My O2Wireless Box II router dies randomly and regularly probably because I and the people I live with keep maxing out the connections. I have a PC in my room and like to transfer files between my PS3, laptop and other computers over wired connection and currently do that with all of them connected to the carpy O2 box. Other computers are connected by wireless connection or occasionally by wired connection from the O2 box.

I'm looking for a recommendation for a cheapish adsl2 router replacement which I guess only has to be 10/100 rather than gigabit since I will be hopefully connecting via a gigabit switch in future, so that whenever there is a router problem it doesnt matter so much when I am transferring files or streaming media. I was thinking of TP-link or Zyxel gigabit switches since they seemed quite cheap, and there arent too many horror stories about them but I would like the best possible file transfer speeds within my home network. The switch would be 8-port or 8+1. Is TP-link or ZyXel better? And what is a current decent configurable router?

Reliability is what Im looking for most. Any recommendations? Nothing over £50 plz. <--- cheapskate. :D
 
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£50 each or for both?

Ignore my other comment, I forgot about using an auction site!
 
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£50 each, and because I thought it's best not to have a single point of failure. There was some uber Linksys one that had a gigabit switch built in but I need 8 gigabit RJ45 connections (so I can host small LAN parties). :)
 
I'd rather not have the O2 router. I had the wireless box 1 and it was a constantly failing pile of poo which was replaced at least 3 times, and the wireless box ii has been replaced once already. The N box will maybe (or not depending what you read) speed up the wireless connection but I dont care about the wireless aspect at all other than that I want to have one so that visiting guests can access the internet without wiring. I should also mention I did ask for the N box but they said it wasnt available unless I upgraded to their most expensive tariff. (I have an old "ultimate" account which is a) cheaper and b) has higher upload speed than the current top offering which I would lose if I "upgraded".)
 
Get the DG834GT + DGTeam firmware as suggest above. Really reliable and configurable. Then with the money you save, spend it on a HP ProCurve 1400-8G Gigabit switch. Or the 1810-8G if you want to manage it.
 
I've seen Hp Procurve 1410-8G on auction sites cheaper than the 1400-8G - I take it the 1410 is an updated model but pretty much the same.
Is the Procurve series at twice the price that much better than your ~£30 Zyxel or TP-link switches?
 
Looks like Im going to go with the suggestion of the HP procurve switch and Netgear DG router. I got the chance of a cheap 8 port procurve switch and a friend has an old DG834GT which he's willing to give me. Hopefully smoother interbots and file transferring without interuption from now on.

Good points about the HP switch:

Fanless, so quiet/silent even.
Lifetime warranty.
Jumbo frames supported.

Bad points:

higher new cost RRP.

I doubt there would have been much wrong with a TP-link or Zyxel switch either, except they dont use the jumbo frames (which will be useful less than 0.1% of the time), but for the sake of a couple of extra quid I got an HP one. Thanks for the advice. :)

Now I need to go find some firmwares and look up a configuration guide from somewhere for the DG834GT , unless anyone has the information to hand here?
 
Put the O2 box in bridge mode and buy a DLink DIR615 D2 from that horrid auction place. Put DD-WRT on the DLink and enjoy a nice stable connection with QOS if you feel the need to restrict inconsiderate housemates :)
 
Rabtech said:
Put the O2 box in bridge mode and buy a DLink DIR615 D2 from that horrid auction place. Put DD-WRT on the DLink and enjoy a nice stable connection with QOS if you feel the need to restrict inconsiderate housemates :)
Click to expand...

I think the DGteam firmware on the netgear does QoS, and since I'd be getting it for free it looks like the better option.

Anyone else feel that DD-WRT on Dlink DIR615 would be better than DGTeam on the DG834GT?
 
If you're getting a Netgear for free then its a no brainer.

The DIR 615 when loaded with DD-WRT is far superior, as in faster wireless, faster processor, more ram which in turn aid stability.
 
SqualidChimp said:
£50 each, and because I thought it's best not to have a single point of failure. There was some uber Linksys one that had a gigabit switch built in but I need 8 gigabit RJ45 connections (so I can host small LAN parties). :)
Click to expand...


What model no is the uber Linksys one? If its not too pricey this could be what i need as I only need a gigabit connection to my PS3 and PC.

thanks:)
 
type into google "linksys by cisco wireless n gigabit router"

compare and contrast.

decide.

go for it.

I think it was the blue one (E3000) that had lots of favourable reviews, but I'd say have a look yourself on review sites to get the features you want, as long as you've got the money to spend.
 
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