Best A D S L Router/Modem

[Phil Conners]

I have an elderly Belkin Wireless ADSL Router in my house, and ADSL goes down at least every 2-3 days where I have to reset (power cycle) the modem to get it to work again.

In my office I have a newer Dlink and though I also needs resetting sometimes it's not nearly as often, only maybe once a month or so.

I'm wondering if the Belkin is at the end of it's usable life and if I should get a newer and better router. But which?

I'm leaning towards the older Linksys routers, like the WRT54G. They have a reputation of being very sturdy and even can take 3rd party software if the stock software turns out to be too limited.

What does people think? Good experinces? Bad experiences?

Again, of course this is for the Thai infrastructure and other conditions that apply here such as heat and humidity as well as compatibility with the different ISP's.

[bazmlb]

I have a Zyxel P-660R-T1 v2, syncs up good on long noisy lines, I have a separate Linksys WRT54GL Wireless Router behind that, the Zyxel is a lot cheaper to replace if the modem gets spiked that replacing a combo unit as the Zyxel is only 1,000baht.

If money was no object a Cisco 800 series such as the 877m would be perfect, unfortunately Juniper did away with their ADSL modem/Router/Firewall.

[Supernova]

Anything equipped with a Broadcom chipset will suffice, especially on long and noisy lines.

[keeniau96]

the WRT54G is the geek's favorite and has been for some years now. Yes, it is a bit elderly but stable and reliable. It is even better when the firmware upgraded to openWRT (Tomato) or DD-WRT.

[Pib]

I use a Linksys WRT54G for my router behind the TOT issued Billion 5210 ADSL modem. Both work fine. Had a US Robotics router hooked up to a few months ago, which also worked fine, but I just bought the WRT54G as a backup...but ended up leaving it connected...figured I would leave the US Robotics router parked for a while and run up mileage on the Linksys router instead.

But don't confuse a standalone router like the WRT54G with a standalone modem. Your modem is what makes/keeps the connection to the ISP's internet network; the standalone router only makes the connection to the modem and your computer....kinda like creating the bridge between your computer and the modem. Based on ThaiVisa posts it seems most people's internet connectivity problems are their local phone/DSL lines and not their modem or router. Good luck and cheers.

[Phil Conners]

Seems most lean towards Linksys WRT54G as I expected. I understand this needs a "modem" to connect to the phone line. There seems to be a lot of variations of the WRT54xxx - I'm sure there must be one with a modem built in (I don't want too many gadgets collecting dust). Is this line still in production at all? I've seen a couple of Linksys in Tukcom and they all look quite futuristic, not like the classic WRT54G.

[trogers]

Your old Belkin (probably a gateway device - modem cum router) is wireless. Best to get a N-series wireless unit to enjoy max speed over wireless. This will also mean the need to upgrade your wireless adapter to N-series.

Just bought another Belkin N-150 unit today for Bt1,790 to be used with my new 10 Mbps True line.

[Pib]

An N wireless won't make the internet go any faster; it makes transfers between the router and computers faster...but you'll never notice the speed difference between a 54G router and N router when just doing internet browsing, emailing, etc....but you would notice some small differences in big file transfers between computers and of course a bigger wireless distance range. The Thai internet capability is the chokepoint.

But with above being said, Yes, if buying a new router be sure to get one with N capability which adds little to the router cost nowdays....even if your computers only go up to 54G capability as the N routers are backwards compatible.

Edited September 27, 2010 by Pib

[trogers]

An N wireless won't make the internet go any faster; it makes transfers between the router and computers faster...but you'll never notice the speed difference between a 54G router and N router when just doing internet browsing, emailing, etc....but you would notice some small differences in big file transfers between computers and of course a bigger wireless distance range. The Thai internet capability is the chokepoint.

But with above being said, Yes, if buying a new router be sure to get one with N capability which adds little to the router cost nowdays....even if your computers only go up to 54G capability as the N routers are backwards compatible.

Here is a short video explaining B,G and N series wireless routers - http://www.ehow.com/video_4465628_wireless-b_-g_-routers.html

I got my N series for less than USD60.

[lomatopo]

There seems to be a lot of variations of the WRT54xxx - I'm sure there must be one with a modem built in (I don't want too many gadgets collecting dust).

Any WRT (wireless router: WiFi + ethernet + router) model number will not have an ADSL modem built in; if you want a one-box solution you'll need a WAG model number which will have an ADSL2+ modem, WiFi and 4 ethernet ports. The WAG120N is generally available here, ~ 2,000 baht. D-Link, Zyxel, Belkin, 3Com, among others, make a similar product; all available here.

[powderpuff]

Linksys WAG for sure. Owned by CISCO.

3COM are good too.

[Phil Conners]

Yeah I know there are a lot of similar products available, I'm trying to make a decision for which one is the best .... the WAG120N looks nice from the specs, anyone has experience with it? What's the software like? The web interface on both my Belkin and Dlink is atrocious (buggy and clunky)!

[blakegeee]

I am also looking for a recommendation for an all-in-one modem/wireless router. True ADSL supplied me with that crappy Billion Sky modem that often redirects to the True homepage so I want that replaced and I also want wifi. Whats the geek favorite for an all-in-one like this in Thailand?

[pitrevie]

I am also looking for a recommendation for an all-in-one modem/wireless router. True ADSL supplied me with that crappy Billion Sky modem that often redirects to the True homepage so I want that replaced and I also want wifi. Whats the geek favorite for an all-in-one like this in Thailand?

I would recommend Netgear any day. I am currently using DG834N, easy to configure and never any problems although True often ask me to check the configuration before they accept the fault is their end. I have always used Netgear and configured a few for friends with never any problem. However I agree that Linksys are also a good make although I havent any experience of current models. I had to configure one of their cable modem/routers and their tech support was first rate.

[blakegeee]

I am also looking for a recommendation for an all-in-one modem/wireless router. True ADSL supplied me with that crappy Billion Sky modem that often redirects to the True homepage so I want that replaced and I also want wifi. Whats the geek favorite for an all-in-one like this in Thailand?

I would recommend Netgear any day. I am currently using DG834N, easy to configure and never any problems although True often ask me to check the configuration before they accept the fault is their end. I have always used Netgear and configured a few for friends with never any problem. However I agree that Linksys are also a good make although I havent any experience of current models. I had to configure one of their cable modem/routers and their tech support was first rate.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep an eye out for them and it sounds like an N router would be the way to go. Would it be realistic to find an N-series all-in-one for under 2000b?

[negreanu]

but you'll never notice the speed difference between a 54G router and N router when just doing internet browsing, emailing, etc

You will on the new VDSL high speed products. G and B just don't give you the throughput of your VDSL package consistently. Wireless N or powerline adaptors required. Thai internet is no longer the choke.

[bazmlb]

I am also looking for a recommendation for an all-in-one modem/wireless router. True ADSL supplied me with that crappy Billion Sky modem that often redirects to the True homepage so I want that replaced and I also want wifi. Whats the geek favorite for an all-in-one like this in Thailand?

I would recommend Netgear any day. I am currently using DG834N, easy to configure and never any problems although True often ask me to check the configuration before they accept the fault is their end. I have always used Netgear and configured a few for friends with never any problem. However I agree that Linksys are also a good make although I havent any experience of current models. I had to configure one of their cable modem/routers and their tech support was first rate.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep an eye out for them and it sounds like an N router would be the way to go. Would it be realistic to find an N-series all-in-one for under 2000b?

Cisco arent cheap for their entry level stuff

CISCO877-SEC-K9 Cisco 877 Security Bundle with Advanced IP Services 19,690 baht

http://www.digital2day.com/Pricelist/Pricelist/Cisco-Pricelist.html

[negreanu]

I would go linksys with custom firmware. Not easy to find the ones you need in BKK tho.

Or order from Sabai Technology they have some excellent routers for custom firmware.

Failing that would go with any broadcom chipset router for the crappy Thai phone line quality.

[Phil Conners]

How do you know the WAG120N is based on the Broadcom chipset? The website and datasheet doesn't mention the chipset, and a Google of [WAG120N chipset] finds this question asked on at least two dozen websites without anyone knowing the answer.

I also saw a thread suggesting some bugs with the WAG120N, though perhaps that was specific to the o2 ISP. (It's for reasons like that I'd like to make sure what I buy works well with Thai ISP's, specifically 3BB. I already have a modem/router that needs to be reset every other day, don't need one more).

Edited September 28, 2010 by Phil Conners

[Ginkas]

Bought the WAG120N a couple of months ago.

Very happy with it - for four weeks.

Then, slow connection and frequent dropouts.

Tried my 'old' modem, no problems.

Returned WAG120N to shop, replaced after one week.

Very happy with it - for four weeks!

Then, slow connection and frequent dropouts.

Tried my 'old' modem, no problems!

Checked the Linksys Users Forum, many people having this problem!

No solution from Linksys [the WAG320N also seems to suffer from this].

Back to the shop it goes!

(Using my very old D-Link modem at the moment - no problems)

[lomatopo]

There are some websites which identify the chipset by modem model number. Ages ago this was a bit more important than it is now; there were some advantages to matching the modem chipset with the same in the DSLAM, and Broadcom seems to have a following. The WAG120N (the G means its a gateway: ADSL modem and the N for WiFi N and 120 for 120 Mbps max. WiFi) is relatively new, it replaced the WAG54G V.3 WAG120G, so maybe not so many people using it. (I'm using 2 WAG120G's: TRUE, CSLoxInfo; 1 WAG54GV3: TOT and a 3COM:TRUE, all with no current issues; am testing a D-Link DSL-2640BT on TOT but am seeing some disconnects.) (Now I'm glad I didn't buy a WAG120N.)

Is your Belkin reset issue new? I'd suggest that there is a problem with the line, hardly surprising given 3BB/Triple T/Jasmine's paste-on infrastructure, and that a new modem might have the same issue.

It seems like the OP wants a single box solution: ADSL modem, 4-port ethernet router and WiFi AP so any talk about custom firmware is really not applicable. A G device should be generally available for ~ 1,500 - 2,000, while a lower-end N device will be 2,000 - 3,000 and the higher end N devices (160 ~ 320 Mbps WiFi, will be 3,000 - 4,000). A WiFi G device should satisfy 99% of the applications; these do run up to 54 Mbps.

It might help if people could provide the exact model number they have, where they bought it and how much it cost, and maybe their network provider. Also, if recommending a specific ADSL chipset then maybe you could recommend a device which has the preferred ADSL chipset.

Edited September 28, 2010 by lomatopo

[Phil Conners]

As far as I can see the only difference between the WAG120G and N is the wifi - the rest of the box should be the same, no?

The Belkin reset issue is not new, it's been like that for years, but I notice it more now due to using applications that require the internet to be up all the time.

The line quality is very good, no noise or anything, so I doubt it is down to the line.

I'm not too fussed up about the price. OTOH my house is wired up with Gigabit network and the fastest wifi appliance I have is G so hardly any point in getting an N or N+ router.

[innerspace]

The WAG is certainly a good model but personally out here I would go for the WRT54GL on tomato with a standalone modem.

This setup would be cheap to buy, cheap to replace, more flexible and easy to find out here.

Sure it's two units but both units are specialised for their relevant tasks.

The WAG seems to have some sketchy reviews whereas the WRT54Gx line running tomato (or ddwrt/openwrt/etc) has time proven stability.

As for the modem, I would ask your ISP or their users for tips, CAT recommend zyxel for their lines, I have never used 3BB.

With the WRT line here is a small summary:-

WRT54GS v.1 to v.4 - Best available but not made any more, if you find one grab it!

WRT54G v.1 to v.4 - Slower than the GS but the same build quality and reliability.

WRT54GL - Same as early G models and still in production, can buy new in Thailand.

WRT54G(S) v.5+ Less ram, less flash, slower cpu and won't run 3rd party firmware so well. Avoid.

[negreanu]

http://www.sabaitechnology.com/category-s/22.htm

have a look at these WRT320N is decent and he ships to thailand with custom firmware installed.

[lomatopo]

Some model number corrections...

The WAG120N (the G means its a gateway: ADSL modem and the N for WiFi N and 120 for 120 Mbps max. WiFi) is relatively new, it replaced the WAG54G V.3 WAG120G WAG54G2, so maybe not so many people using it. (I'm using 2 WAG120G's WAG54G2: TRUE, CSLoxInfo; 1 WAG54GV3: TOT and a 3COM:TRUE, all with no current issues; am testing a D-Link DSL-2640BT on TOT but am seeing some disconnects.)

[trogers]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep an eye out for them and it sounds like an N router would be the way to go. Would it be realistic to find an N-series all-in-one for under 2000b?

Just got the Belkin N-150 for Bt1,790. It's a modem cum N-series wireless router.

[lomatopo]

http://www.sabaitechnology.com/category-s/22.htm

have a look at these WRT320N is decent and he ships to thailand with custom firmware installed.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep an eye out for them and it sounds like an N router would be the way to go. Would it be realistic to find an N-series all-in-one for under 2000b?

Just got the Belkin N-150 for Bt1,790. It's a modem cum N-series wireless router.

Excellent suggestions, of course neither of these units has a ADSL modem so not really what the OP is looking for, as near as I can determine. Maybe add a recommended ADSL modem for a total solution?

[trogers]

have a look at these WRT320N is decent and he ships to thailand with custom firmware installed.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep an eye out for them and it sounds like an N router would be the way to go. Would it be realistic to find an N-series all-in-one for under 2000b?

Just got the Belkin N-150 for Bt1,790. It's a modem cum N-series wireless router.

Excellent suggestions, of course neither of these units has a ADSL modem so not really what the OP is looking for, as near as I can determine. Maybe add a recommended ADSL modem for a total solution?

The Belkin N-150 is a combo of ADSL modem and N-series wireless router. Been using it for over 2 months with 3BB line in one of my condo, and just bought another for my home that has a 10 Mbps True line.

Belkin also has a basic N-series wireless router (without the modem) called N-150 that is selling for around Bt1,100. The unit with the modem is priced at Bt1,790.

https://www.ibuyathome.com/product/e8db2b66-5fed-4a3f-874a-2dd72ca868c5.aspx?view=review〈=th&action=writereview

Edited September 28, 2010 by trogers

[newbegin4]

It was recommened to me several weeks back to try the Thomson 536 modem. I was just.about to order that model, but after. reading this thread, I'm a bit curious as to why it hasn't been mentioned.I was under the impression that it was the best, or nearly the best, option for use. in Thailand.

Any thoughts about the Thomson 536 modem?

[trogers]

It was recommened to me several weeks back to try the Thomson 536 modem. I was just.about to order that model, but after. reading this thread, I'm a bit curious as to why it hasn't been mentioned.I was under the impression that it was the best, or nearly the best, option for use. in Thailand.

Any thoughts about the Thomson 536 modem?

This model (Thomson, also called Speedtouch) is about 5 years old and it is not wireless. You will need to add in an access point for wireless service.

http://www.speedguide.net/broadband-view.php?hw=31