Linksys or Netgear?

[0iD]

A friend's wanting to buy an ADSL modem/router/firewall solution & has settled on either a Linksys BEF SX41 http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...=3653822279B01 or a Netgear DG434GT http://www.netgear.com/Products/Rout...Specifications

Pretty much the same thing, but the Netgear has wireless, which i'm told is unimportant.

So which one?

(He's going to be hooked up to an 8 meg ADSL max service)

[burble]

The Linksys you mentioned isn't suitable unless you buy an ethernet ADSL modem - it doesn't have a modem built in. Make sure you specifically look for an ADSL router rather than just a DSL router.

If you were looking at Linksys stuff you'd need to look at something like a WAG200G.

I've not heard good things about the Linksys ADSL stuff (although the cable equipment such as the WRT54GL is fantastic) so I'd go for the Netgear. If wireless really isn't required then you could get a DG834 which is the same as the DG834G just without the wireless interface.

[Skeet]

The Linksys you mentioned isn't suitable unless you buy an ethernet ADSL modem - it doesn't have a modem built in. Make sure you specifically look for an ADSL router rather than just a DSL router.

If you were looking at Linksys stuff you'd need to look at something like a WAG200G.

I've not heard good things about the Linksys ADSL stuff (although the cable equipment such as the WRT54GL is fantastic) so I'd go for the Netgear. If wireless really isn't required then you could get a DG834 which is the same as the DG834G just without the wireless interface.

As to the comment in Bold, this is not true. ADSL is just a FORM of DSL the other being SDSL. Routers for each are specific to the service and are not compatible.

What the poster means, is that you want a combined ADSL Modem and Router such as the Netgear DG834.

Netgear Routers are pretty decent and seem to fair better than Linksys, in my experience.

[dave87]

Netgear IMHO. Though Linksys are part of Cisco, they don't seem to have anything like the reliability of the Netgear kit in my personal experience.

[Steve B]

Routers for each are specific to the service and are not compatible.

Is that not what the comment implied?

[Skeet]

Is that not what the comment implied?

No, because in one breath you are talking about modems and routers, IE. separate and the next you are talking about ADSL being different from DSL, which is not correct.
DSL is the technology and the suffix A or S denotes the variant.

Not being funny...

[Agent]

As to the comment in Bold, this is not true. ADSL is just a FORM of DSL the other being SDSL

The 'other' being SDSL? There are quite a few different types of DSL, not just ADSL and SDSL (ADSL / SDSL / ISDL / VDSL / PDSL for a start!)

Netgear Routers are pretty decent and seem to fair better than Linksys, in my experience.

I know its mainly personal preference, but Ive always had problems with netgear and non with Linksys. Guess it does depend on the product though

Is that not what the comment implied?

Exactly what I thought

No, because in one breath you are talking about modems and routers, IE. separate and the next you are talking about ADSL being different from DSL, which is not correct.
DSL is the technology and the suffix A or S denotes the variant.

Not being funny...

But he said...

Make sure you specifically look for an ADSL router

That pretty much covers it?
Buy an ADSL router, not anything else - Come across as like that here anyway
The routers / modems bit didn't seem to have any relation to the latter part of his post. I really can't see anything wrong with Burble's post.

[tiggerai]

Not to want to argue with my nearest and dearest friend.

I've always found Netgear routers are like ronseal, does exactly what it says on the tin.

NO messing, no fuss.

[Skeet]

The 'other' being SDSL? There are quite a few different types of DSL, not just ADSL and SDSL (ADSL / SDSL / ISDL / VDSL / PDSL for a start!)




I know its mainly personal preference, but Ive always had problems with netgear and non with Linksys. Guess it does depend on the product though



Exactly what I thought



But he said...



That pretty much covers it?
Buy an ADSL router, not anything else - Come across as like that here anyway
The routers / modems bit didn't seem to have any relation to the latter part of his post. I really can't see anything wrong with Burble's post.

OK...

IDSL is ISDN 128Kbit, so not exactly broadband as we have come to know it...

VDSL is a Videostream rather than IPStream or DataStream and, well...I have never worked on one, so there aren't that many kicking around, its ADSL2+ as well.

PDSL is something you use, generally in buildings by running your connection through the available power supply.

So for the purpose of consumer Broadband, the choices are ADSL/SDSL or Cable.

What is a DSL router? Does such a thing exist, that is stated as being JUST for DSL?
No...you know why? Because the Suffix is required, so that you know what kind of DSL Circuit you are using, therefore what variety of combined router or modem you will need.

As to the confusion, the way I read the first two sentences came across to me, as though he was (correctly) stating that the mentioned router, is simply a router and would require a modem, but that this in some way, could be prevented by choosing an ADSL Router over "just" a DSL router, when as stated, there is no such thing as "just" a DSL router.

Wasn't meaning to offend or overly berate anybody, but, in my experience there is a great deal of misinformation regarding ADSL/SDSL floating about, even amongst people who DO know a great deal about networking, computers and such.

As to Netgear/Linksys..I have seen more Linksys routers that have failed, than Netgear ones...I also think that the Netgear interface, is much more user friendly than the Linksys ones that I have seen.
Mind you, as stated, it depends on what you buy and most home users, generally tend to buy cheap if they can, so...you pays your money!

So, as I am a Noob around here, I will just shut up...

Tiggerai: How's your ADSL kicking along?

[Agent]

OK...

IDSL is ISDN 128Kbit, so not exactly broadband as we have come to know it...

VDSL is a Videostream rather than IPStream or DataStream and, well...I have never worked on one, so there aren't that many kicking around, its ADSL2+ as well.

PDSL is something you use, generally in buildings by running your connection through the available power supply.

So for the purpose of consumer Broadband, the choices are ADSL/SDSL or Cable.

Yes, I know what they are mate Then again, if I had seen your sig before now, I wouldn't have bothered raising the point

What is a DSL router? Does such a thing exist, that is stated as being JUST for DSL?
No...you know why? Because the Suffix is required, so that you know what kind of DSL Circuit you are using, therefore what variety of combined router or modem you will need.

While DSL is a family of technologies, I always thought that it was commonly accepted that DSL on its own when talking in relation to connections referred to what we call 'cable'?
How technically sound that is, I don't know, but using your example of Netgear they certainly advertise products as Cable/DSL routers without the suffix that you say is required on 'DSL' (unless "Cable" is an acceptable suffix? - Not sure )

As to the confusion, the way I read the first two sentences came across to me, as though he was (correctly) stating that the mentioned router, is simply a router and would require a modem, but that this in some way, could be prevented by choosing an ADSL Router over "just" a DSL router, when as stated, there is no such thing as "just" a DSL router.

Fair enough - but I wasn't questioning the technicality's of what you were saying, but mealy the way that the post to 0iD came across. He was trying to illustrate what type of router to buy, and I think it did that well. Perhaps it wasn't 100% accurate in the last part of what he was saying (heck, if it had said xDSL) then I probably wouldn't be typing this ), but I certainly think it was aimed towards 0iD in a way that he would understand

I think the important thing to consider here is the context in which it was written. Can you name any high-street store that will sell SDSL based products? (Im not trying to illustrate a point there, im genuinely curious )
I could only find one on Scan, and non at all for a lot of other retailers.

Wasn't meaning to offend or overly berate anybody

Offend? Whos offended?
Its just good discussion mate, don't worry about offending people on here so easily

As to Netgear/Linksys..I have seen more Linksys routers that have failed, than Netgear ones...I also think that the Netgear interface, is much more user friendly than the Linksys ones that I have seen.

But isn't the entire point of a router in the home to set it up and leave it? The interface isn't something I would think most people would worry about.
Now you have mentioned it, I do remember something about the Linksys products failing due to over-heating ages ago, which is a problem in the computer industry - A good image takes a long time to build, but can be lost easily with just one bad product.

Im just happy with my Linux powered WRT, but I am just a geek really

Mind you, as stated, it depends on what you buy and most home users, generally tend to buy cheap if they can, so...you pays your money!

Sadly yeah, which is where the problems start
I remember when the first ~£1 Microfilters hit the market and some of the issues they caused.

So, as I am a Noob around here, I will just shut up...

Not at all mate. Post count / time of signing up is irrelevant as far as im concerned (and anyone with a braincell IMO). How being on a forum X amount of days can give someone more weight than somone else, I'll never know. After all, we are all here because of the same thing - The pursuit of knowledge, right? (With a laugh here and there for good measure, too )

[MarcLister]

Netgear IMHO. Though Linksys are part of Cisco, they don't seem to have anything like the reliability of the Netgear kit in my personal experience.

[EtheAv8r]

I have always used NetGear - and recommended to friends and family - have installed over a dozen and all work well.

[Skeet]

Yes, I know what they are mate Then again, if I had seen your sig before now, I wouldn't have bothered raising the point



While DSL is a family of technologies, I always thought that it was commonly accepted that DSL on its own when talking in relation to connections referred to what we call 'cable'?
How technically sound that is, I don't know, but using your example of Netgear they certainly advertise products as Cable/DSL routers without the suffix that you say is required on 'DSL' (unless "Cable" is an acceptable suffix? - Not sure )



Fair enough - but I wasn't questioning the technicality's of what you were saying, but mealy the way that the post to 0iD came across. He was trying to illustrate what type of router to buy, and I think it did that well. Perhaps it wasn't 100% accurate in the last part of what he was saying (heck, if it had said xDSL) then I probably wouldn't be typing this ), but I certainly think it was aimed towards 0iD in a way that he would understand

I think the important thing to consider here is the context in which it was written. Can you name any high-street store that will sell SDSL based products? (Im not trying to illustrate a point there, im genuinely curious )
I could only find one on Scan, and non at all for a lot of other retailers.




Offend? Whos offended?
Its just good discussion mate, don't worry about offending people on here so easily



But isn't the entire point of a router in the home to set it up and leave it? The interface isn't something I would think most people would worry about.
Now you have mentioned it, I do remember something about the Linksys products failing due to over-heating ages ago, which is a problem in the computer industry - A good image takes a long time to build, but can be lost easily with just one bad product.

Im just happy with my Linux powered WRT, but I am just a geek really



Sadly yeah, which is where the problems start
I remember when the first ~£1 Microfilters hit the market and some of the issues they caused.



Not at all mate. Post count / time of signing up is irrelevant as far as im concerned (and anyone with a braincell IMO). How being on a forum X amount of days can give someone more weight than somone else, I'll never know. After all, we are all here because of the same thing - The pursuit of knowledge, right? (With a laugh here and there for good measure, too )

Greetings...

You are right about SDSL routers, I doubt you would find any on the High-street, simply due to the cost of SDSL (about £250 per month!)...our test routers are Celsian, but would usually see Cisco or Zyxel ones in end user premises.

Cable and (x!)DSL are totally different. xDSL circuits operate over a range of High frequencies over a copper pair, throughout the length of the circuit.

Cable (NTL/Telewest) are transmitted via fibre optic for most of the route, then terminate on a MUX in the green cabinets before being transmitted down a copper pair, the short distance to the end user, similar to TPON which was a cutting edge means of providing lots of voice lines to an area that BT used, but isn't compatible with xDSL (because it was there first!).

Netgear make DSL/Cable modems/routers, but not together, unless they do have one that does both, though why they would do that I don't know.

The main point, is that I have seen many occasions where people have bought a router, (usually a Linksys!) that isn't a combined Modem Router, or is a Cable router and of course, cant make it work.

I am no expert on routers or Networking, by any means, but what I have seen from the likes of Belkin, Linksys etc, the user interface, even for just initial setup can be confusing, and even the most basic of end user, with a little curiosity should be able to access their router to find out line stats etc for fault reporting, wireless setup etc and I have found that Netgear seems to do this well, in a compact and attractive unit, that is certainly reliable.

Linksys seem to be prone to being fried by power spikes during storms etc, as do Cisco when unprotected and especially the BT Business "2 Wire" hubs.

LOL!@ my sig comment

Maybe I should make it more prominent, but that could be considered pompous!

For those of you with SKY Broadband: If you are curious, I know of a way to re-Flash your router to make it fully accessible and also how to get your password, so that should you need to use another router, in the event of failure....you can!

[Agent]

LOL!@ my sig comment

Maybe I should make it more prominent, but that could be considered pompous!

Thanks for the post though mate, very informative

[Zak33]

/cough

NOT NETGEAR.....

/cough

[aidanjt]

@Zak33: Not everyone has had a netgear kill their kitten, you were just unfortunate.