Replacing BT Openreach VDLS2 modem, peoples experiences.

Admetos

Admetos

Admetos

Soldato
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If I'm about to purchase a DrayTek router. I've narrowed it down to either a Draytek Vigor 2860np or Vigor 2925n.

The Vigor 2860np has an integrated VDLS2 modem, meaning that the BT Openreach box becomes redundant and the Openreach connection connects directly to the Vigor.

Now the question is for anyone who's replaced the BT Openreach modem and not Draytek specific. Is replacing the BT Openreach modem even advisable? Will I give myself connection issues? Alternately did anyone see any performance improvement replacing the BT modem?

Thanks
Jason
 
I've installed several 2860's on VDSL lines for site to site VPN purposes. Cant say they were any quicker but they havent given any problems either. Sync speeds where the same.
 
As soon as the Openreach engineer left I replaced the supplied equipment with a Vigor 2860n and the connection has been perfect - 3 months and counting. Must be quite close to the cabinet as it syncs at full speed (80/20). BT wholesale speedtest reports around 75/17.
 
Thanks for your feedback, I've actually just order the Vigor 2860n. For some reason I thought I needed the 2860np, but realised 2860n would do the job.

Trib / BigChin1, while your here, do you know what modem username and password I need to input into the Vigor once I connect the VDSL directly. I presume the BT Openreach box is sending a username and password but I have no idea what this is.
 
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The openreach box normally operates in modem mode so the username and password will be set in your current router. If BT Is your provider I could screencap the setup for you. I've also got one on Talk Talk and their setup is slightly different.
 
I have the same modem as you, setup was easy tbh and its been rock solid since install (20 mins after OR chap left). Things to bare in mind.

WAN>internet access
PPPoE / PPPoA
Multi pvc channel 1
VPI - 0
VCI - 38
Encapse type - VC MUX
Modulation - multimode

Username, for me this was [email protected]
Password - bt ( some people say leave blank)

WAN > General setup

You must set;
VLAN Tag insertion (VDSL2): enable
Tag value: 101
 
Thanks for the continued help and Loam those settings will help a lot.

I'm using Plusnet, they have given me an email and password for their web portal, i'm unsure if this will be the same as what the modem requires however.
 
What's the reason for doing this, is it a security/power saving thing?

Having two boxes is annoying but it works OK, so I'm wondering what would justify buying a box (at extra cost)that does both router and modem duties?
 
Mattyfez, I was looking at the Draytek 2925n as this had the features I wanted. I then noticed the Draytek 2860n also had the same features and was effectively the same price (+/- £3 in it). It made sense to get the Draytek 2860n (over 2925n) as I could remove the BT modem from the chain. So just to clarify this is driven because I needed features of a Draytek router, removing the BT Openreach modem is a bonus that I might as well take now I can.
 
Guys - I found this thread as I was looking for some experiences with the Draytek 2925 series and it seems strange that you're comparing it with the 2860 in terms of features!

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/comparison

The most obvious feature missing on the 2860 is the dual WAN!

There may be further large difference, but as a starting point, comparing it to the 2920, since the 2925 isn't on this chart, the 2920 is shade faster/better on all the throughput tests (firewalled / VPN / number of VPN tunnels, etc).

I just need the dual-WAN + failover feature so 2860 isn't even on the cards for me.
 
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