Which router?

[TW]Fox · 26 Oct 2009 at 16:43

Hi guys,

Need to get a new router. After a wireless DSL router but I seem to remember certain chipsets being better than others with poor lines. My line is 6km long and has at least 63db of noise.

Which is the best router for my needs?

I need to get a second router for another location. This is a regular 8mbit DSL line with no issues. Again, needs to be wireless but nothing particularly fancy. Which router would suit here?

Thanks.

[TW]Fox · 27 Oct 2009 at 09:36

I honestly thought this would be quite a simple query, we all need routers right, not like I asked to be spec'd an oriental belly dancing class

wij · 27 Oct 2009 at 09:41

Maybe Tolien could make a "what router for me" thread as these are now becomming the next "spec me an ISP".

Broadcom chipsets are widely accepted to be best on long/noisy lines, so that means you want to be looking at Netgear, Billion and some DrayTek models - AFAIK Linkys don't use the Broadcom chipset in any of their products.

DG834GT is perfectly good, can be picked up for a pittance on the online flea market, if you want 11N wireless then look for a Netgear with that on it.

Need more features then look at the Billion ones and if you've got deep pockets DrayTek's 2820 series.

Or a stand alone modem such as the Netgear DM111P plugged into the internet forum favourite WRT54GL + Tomato is a good combo.

[TW]Fox · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:23

Excellent advice, thanks very much.

Whare the advantages of a DM111P plugged inot a WRT54GL (and what is Tomato) over an all in one?

How does the DG834GT differ from the DG834G which seems easier to find new?

wij · 27 Oct 2009 at 12:29

Tomato is 3rd party firmware for the WRT54GL ( http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato ) it adds a lot of extra features, stability etc. to the router.

Using a dedicated DSL modem means you're feeding the routers WAN interface the public IP address, not a NAT'd one so thus avoiding double NAT or a stupid pony NAT+DMZ setup.

The DM111P uses a Broadcom chipset so will get a good sync on a long / noisy line where others might not do so well.

No real advantages other than a lot of extra features (the traffic shaping and such forth can be handy if you have a few people sharing one line), the WRT is a good router but it lacks the newer 11n wireless so that is also something to bear in mind if you want to move big files over the network in that way.

One plus point I suppose is that if you want to change your router you have much more choice, and also if you move house to somewhere with cable internet you just sell the modem and keep your existing router.

The DrayTek would probably be my personal choice as I've always had good results using their kit where clients cant afford the other big name options.

niko · 27 Oct 2009 at 13:33

draytek , im on a long line and find it great ,different firmwares available for bad snr and attuation

esK` · 27 Oct 2009 at 23:31

Ive always found Netgear DG834GT's to be superb as the broadcom chipset is good for lower quality lines.

DG834G = 54mbs
DG834GT = 108mbs ( or turbo as they call it )

I use a DG834GT with DGTeam firmware on it.

Locky · 28 Oct 2009 at 08:37

esK` said:
Ive always found Netgear DG834GT's to be superb as the broadcom chipset is good for lower quality lines.

DG834G = 54mbs
DG834GT = 108mbs ( or turbo as they call it )

I use a DG834GT with DGTeam firmware on it.

Fox.. for a long line I would buy one of these.

LEK-89 · 28 Oct 2009 at 10:03

The only version of the DG834G router which has a Broadcom chipset is the V4 version but all DG834GT routers have Broadcom chipsets, I would recommend getting the DG834GT router as they are more widely avaliable and are soo cheap.

Liam