New ADSL modem/router required

Right, the O2 supplied box is pants and I have just had the 2nd one give up the ghost. So, I would like a new modem/router. What is currently best out there? It will need to give full wireless coverage over my whole house (a 3 bed, loft converted victorian terrace) and allow me to easily set up all of the various devices I have, including a windows home server, that I access from outside of home too.

I am willing to pay out for a quality product but don't have the time for extensive tinkering.

Also, I am on o2, so the best/fastest modem for that would be appreciated.

I have my eye on one of these, just waiting until next payday before buying.

Also not to sure where to purchase from, I think this is probably the best place to go.

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Originally Posted by nightkhaos

I have my eye on one of these, just waiting until next payday before buying.

Also not to sure where to purchase from, I think this is probably the best place to go.

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nightkhaos is right on both scores.

Draytek Vigor range, without a doubt, and Broadband Buyer are Milton Keynes based guys, Jiff rates them.

I had a Billion router recently, but it was SOOO complex I gave up and sold it on. Serious piece of kit, mind you. Just too complex.

Draytek are top grade but easy. And their website and support is good too.

I had been swaying towards draytek too (the 2820n to be precise) but apparently the O2 system works best with modems with broadcom chipset. However, for the high quality build etc I may just get the draytek and sacrifice a little speed.

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Originally Posted by menthel

I had been swaying towards draytek too (the 2820n to be precise) but apparently the O2 system works best with modems with broadcom chipset. However, for the high quality build etc I may just get the draytek and sacrifice a little speed.

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I find it odd that any network should favour a specific chipset, afterall it is supposed to be a unified standard. If your modem still works, just sucks at anything but doing modem stuff, put it in bridge mode and whack it into the WAN port.

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Originally Posted by nightkhaos

I find it odd that any network should favour a specific chipset, afterall it is supposed to be a unified standard. If your modem still works, just sucks at anything but doing modem stuff, put it in bridge mode and whack it into the WAN port.

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That might be an option. I am waiting for my 3rd o2 box to be delivered tomorrow. However I may need to shuffle round the positions of my equipment and using it in such a way may be advantagous.

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Originally Posted by menthel

That might be an option. I am waiting for my 3rd o2 box to be delivered tomorrow. However I may need to shuffle round the positions of my equipment and using it in such a way may be advantagous.

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Always the way. I used to have a server in my loop that meant I had to put the primary router/access point in a certien room, however the old wiring in the house and the distance from the test socket meant that I would lose approximately 2Mbps if I also plugged the modem in there. The annoying thing was we lost WiFi (b/g) coverage in certain areas of the house, so we had to have a PowerLine to any system that required the extra "boost".

However, now that said server has been removed from the equation, and the Draytek is MIMO, the options are a little more flexiable. Not to mention I should be able to run it in b/g/n mode. Even better will be if I can make the Draytek broadcast two diffferent networks, one a dedicated Wireless b/g for legacy devices, and a full out all you can eat draft n network, that or I could just keep the old Buffleo and run two different APs on different channels, but that would result in a few more Watts.

I have just wired in my 2 new netgear gigabit switches and put my placeholder modem downstairs by the master socket and the speeds have gone down! Not exactly a surprise as it is a shonky old netgear DG834 v3. However, I love powerline networking, I plugged it in downstairs and boom! it connects into the upstairs network. I will see what happens with the new O2 box tomorrow before making a final purchasing decision.

When you get your O2 box, have it standing instead of flat.

Otherwise Netgear DG834G v4 or GT will work a treat with the O2/Be network, reflashed units can be had for peanuts on Ebay (got mine for £25 for Be)

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Originally Posted by menthel

I had been swaying towards draytek too (the 2820n to be precise) but apparently the O2 system works best with modems with broadcom chipset. However, for the high quality build etc I may just get the draytek and sacrifice a little speed.

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There have been issues in the early days of ADSL where some modems didn't work well with some DSLAMS at the exchange, but AFAIK these problems are a thing of the past.

Another vote for the Draytek. I have also bought from broadbandbuyer - no problems with them. Drayteks don't seem to discounted much, most of the e-tailers sell them for around the same price - this is about the lowest you will find. (You can also get a 19" rack mount kit for the 2820!)

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Originally Posted by peterb

There have been issues in the early days of ADSL where some modems didn't work well with some DSLAMS at the exchange, but AFAIK these problems are a thing of the past.

Another vote for the Draytek. I have also bought from broadbandbuyer - no problems with them. Drayteks don't seem to discounted much, most of the e-tailers sell them for around the same price - this is about the lowest you will find. (You can also get a 19" rack mount kit for the 2820!)

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Looks like the draytek it is then, even though I don't have the 19" rack to mount it in! ;)

And ordered! Lets hope it works out well!

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Originally Posted by menthel

Looks like the draytek it is then, even though I don't have the 19" rack to mount it in! ;)

And ordered! Lets hope it works out well!

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Give me the 4/11 when it comes. I'm gonna be ordering one of those near the end of the month.

I know a post-purchase recommendation isn't much use, but....

A Netgear DG834GT plus a m0n0wall or pfSense based Alix enclosure are the dogs' bollocks for O2 or Be LLU-based connections. I'm not sure whether m0n0 would be exluded by your "no extensive tinkering" criteria though.

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Originally Posted by smargh

I know a post-purchase recommendation isn't much use, but....

A Netgear DG834GT plus a m0n0wall or pfSense based Alix enclosure are the dogs' bollocks for O2 or Be LLU-based connections. I'm not sure whether m0n0 would be exluded by your "no extensive tinkering" criteria though.

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I did think about flashing a gt but the whole thing did come under excessive tinkering, especially if it goes wrong when I am not home and the wife can't get onto the Internet!

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Originally Posted by menthel

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especially if it goes wrong when i am not home and the wife can't get onto the internet!

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qft!! :)

But I don't think you will be disappointed by the Draytex.