Netgear WNR3500L - Do I need an external ADSL2+ Modem?

Firegod · 4 Apr 2010 at 13:13

Hi all

http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/WirelessNRoutersandGateways/WNR3500L.aspx

Do I need to use an external modem with this Router or is the modem built in? I'm a little confused as on the 'System Requirements' page for the Router, it states,

"Broadband (cable, DSL) modem and service with Ethernet port"

So, yes I have a Broadband service, but then it also mentions having a modem. Thought I best check.

While I'm here, how are people finding this Router? I'm having some issues with my Internet at the moment and Support have advised trying another Router. I want to try something decent so that should it fix my issues, I can just keep it and sell the other Router.

The things that caught my eye with this Router...

Broadcom chip
Open Source - 3rd Party Firmware
Gigabit Ports
Wireless N

I guess also I can manually set my SNR with this Router. Is that correct?

Thanks for the help.

Daegan · 4 Apr 2010 at 13:21

Yes you need a separate modem, as it doesn't have one built in, which in turn means you couldn't use this router to tweak your SNR.

Firegod · 4 Apr 2010 at 13:24

Daegan said:
Yes you need a separate modem, as it doesn't have one built in, which in turn means you couldn't use this router to tweak your SNR.

Thanks for the clarification.

Is it a bad thing having to buy a separate modem nowadays? Or is there more choice to be had?

I'm just wondering whether I should look at something else. EDIT: Could I still tweak the SNR with an External modem, as long as it was compatible with DMT Tool?

Thanks.

Daegan · 4 Apr 2010 at 14:05

I think separate modems are a good idea, the problem is there's very little market for them so relatively little choice. I don't know where you'd stand wanting a Broadcom chipset, support for DMT or some other means of tweaking the SNR. You may get more mileage out of an integrated modem/router in bridge mode with a separate router.

Firegod · 4 Apr 2010 at 14:53

Daegan said:
I think separate modems are a good idea, the problem is there's very little market for them so relatively little choice. I don't know where you'd stand wanting a Broadcom chipset, support for DMT or some other means of tweaking the SNR. You may get more mileage out of an integrated modem/router in bridge mode with a separate router.

OK thanks for the help.

I'm going to do some more digging and reading.

Just altered a setting on my current Router as I think it may have been incorrect for ADSL2+, so I'll see if that helps matters at my end.