ADSL / DSL router confusion

[Kilrov]

Hey,I'll be setting up a network in my student house in a few weeks- looks like im gonna go with a tiscali broadband connection and an 8 port switch. However, ive searched threads on here and asked mates and i keep getting different answers about whether an ADSL modem (which i presume tiscali provide) can be used with a DSL router/switch like this one

If it cant can anyone recommend any ADSL router/switch boxes with 8 ports because I cant find any that dont have a modem, and could do with the ease of just one box!

Any help appreciated!

[DigiGuru]

I would suggest getting a 1/4 port ADSL router, most should do happily... I would also recommend an ISP that doesn't cap your connection (like F2S or NDO and getting a semi-decent ADSL modem/router combined (eBuyer and Scan are doing some seriously cheap ones!)

Worst case scenario, if you run out of connections, plug a cheap hub/switch (switch preferably!) into one of the LAN ports on the modem/router

Stu

[Kilrov]

Thanks for the help guys! Im about to call Tiscali to find out if its a USB modem (which I guess it will be) so looks like i'll be buying an all in one ADSL modem/router/switch with 4 ports for now. I'll get a cheap 4 port switch if we need more ports.

Atm im thinking of staying with tiscali - £18/month for an unlimited 2mbps connection is cheaper than most companies offers. As far as I can see NDO and F2S dont offer anything for less than £20/month.

Thanks again- i'll prob need more help shortly tho!

[Kilrov]

Should prob put this in a new thread - but someone may read this.

If I had an all in one modem/router/switch with say 3 computers and another really cheap ebuyer switch connected to it - and that second switch had 3 coming off it - would all the computers get equal connection performance?

[DigiGuru]

So long as you make sure you get an extra SWITCH not a HUB (though I dont know many places that still stll archaic hubs), things should be fine... you're looking less than 0.5ms traversal from router to switch - not to worry about

Stu

[LSmith4285]

Thanks for the help guys! Im about to call Tiscali to find out if its a USB modem (which I guess it will be) so looks like i'll be buying an all in one ADSL modem/router/switch with 4 ports for now. I'll get a cheap 4 port switch if we need more ports.

Atm im thinking of staying with tiscali - £18/month for an unlimited 2mbps connection is cheaper than most companies offers. As far as I can see NDO and F2S dont offer anything for less than £20/month.

Thanks again- i'll prob need more help shortly tho!

Did you notice they have a fair use policy and have "traffic shaping" measures?

[Rabs]

My 2p,

Get yourself a single port router - Netgear DG632 and get an 8 port switch to go with it.

Linkage as follows:

Router: Clicky

Switch: Clicky

Reasons: Netgear routers are IMHO the least problematic routers by far - no port forwarding needed for games (auto configures properly), easy to setup and upgradeable to ADSL2. The switch (judging by the piccy) is fan cooled, cheap ones Ive seen which are passively cooled get very hot - choice is yours though.

As for an ISP - go with Demon - living in a student house you'll probably use a 'few' GB per month. You want an ISP with no limitations, no FUP or other BS. 2Mb for £19.99 per month.

EDIT: Do NOT NOT NOT go with Tiscali, lousy speeds/latency, customer service is awful at best (overseas call centre - nuff said).

[DigiGuru]

Heh,

Take a look at the top few - one of the good'uns is NDO who I'm using, a little more expensive than some, and you need to get your own DSL modem/router, but I love em!

I had an issue and it was sorted in minutes - plus my DSL connection is now active (2 days before activation!) yay!

Stu

[Kilrov]

Cheers for the help guys! I think I may have to rethink Tiscali then and possibly getting the better netgear router - only probs being that Im really trying to make it as cheap as possible for the house since we are all students! Thanks again - gotta do some serious thinkin!