What DSL Modem have you Got? And What's a Router

[Andrew Xt]

What DSL Modem do you use and would you recomend it?

I've got the Hermstedt WebShuttle DSL but we've had constant problems with it, they seem to be like a disease which can temporarily cured by reformatting, I thought they'd gone for good but I have a nasty feeling they're coming back, basically it gradually gets slower and slower until it's useless (if anyone else has experienced this I would appreciate your help)

Apart from modems, what other ways are there to connect to the internet, oh and what is a router?

Andrew

[Ebby]

Reformatting a modem? That's a first. But if reformatting your computer's hard drive solves the problem, than the problem lies with your computer not your modem. However, I have never experienced this problem, and use a cable modem. (I am not the best person for this question <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> )

A router is a piece of hardware that allows multiple computers to use one single connection to the Internet at the same time.

:cool:

[VanDeWaals]

I have a SpeedStream 5360. I got it for free when I signed up for EarthLink DSL. It has worked like a charm so far...I get about 726 kbps downloads on a 768 kbps connection. I would have 1.5Mbps, but Verizon is an ass and won't allow EarthLink to give me full speed. Grr... :mad:

[Overhope]

I have a Speedtouch 510v4 ADSL router: one port plugs into the phone line, four ports for plugging Ethernet cables into, bingo, instant home network (with nigh-on impenetrable firewall!) and Macs and PCs talking to each other quite happily.

My ISP doesn't know it's there though... ah, the joys of wires-only ADSL. :)

[Andrew Xt]

What is Wires Only ADSL?

Andrew

[Proxy]

Hi Andrew Xt

I've got the Hermstedt WebShuttle DSL as well and have probs with it. Main one being that if I put my g4 iMac to sleep it doesn't connect properly when I wake it, so I have to disconnect the modem, wait 10seconds and plug it back in. That normally does the trick. You really should try ringing Hermstedt UK though as there tech support is brilliant in my experience. Just ring their standard number and they'll probably take your details and call you back. Oh yep..make sure you try, if you haven't already, the latest drivers.

As regards your second question about 'wires only ADSL'. It simply refers to the fact that you have to fit the splitters and the modem rather than an engineer doing it. Normally the cheapest option. Hope this helps.

[Horned_Frog]

[quote]Originally posted by VanDeWaals:
<strong>I have a SpeedStream 5360. I got it for free when I signed up for EarthLink DSL. It has worked like a charm so far...I get about 726 kbps downloads on a 768 kbps connection. I would have 1.5Mbps, but Verizon is an ass and won't allow EarthLink to give me full speed. Grr... :mad: </strong><hr></blockquote>

Whine, whine, whine! ;) I only get 3kbs with my dial up. Heck, if I had 1/10 of your speed I'd be in heaven. I couldn't imagine having 768kbps...

[VanDeWaals]

[quote]Originally posted by Horned_Frog:
<strong>

Whine, whine, whine! ;) I only get 3kbs with my dial up. Heck, if I had 1/10 of your speed I'd be in heaven. I couldn't imagine having 768kbps...</strong><hr></blockquote>

lol...touche. You're entirely correct of course. I just dislike the fact that for the price I pay I'm SUPPOSED to get X speed, but instead get 0.5X speed simply because Verizon does not allow EarthLink to do it. I think I could get my full speed if I switched CLEC's and went with Covad, but it's not for sure and it would cost me a $100 fee that I don't feel like paying.

I've had DSL since September and I was totally amazed at the zippiness. Often times it feels every bit as fast as the ethernet connection at school. And very often it IS the same, since our school network often is so crowded.

[kwondo]

VanDeWaals,

My situation is just like yours but I do get very high connection (when the server from that site allows it). As far as Verizon not allowing, I doubt that is the situation. I too have Earthlink via Verizon's line but I would still get the same connection speed if I went with Verizon DSL. The thing that you have to find out is ...how far are you from the Central Station that you are connecting to? I'm only five blocks away, which is why I get a high connection speed. This is why in small towns and rural areas, DSL doesn't work because the central station would be too far from user's home...another words, cable modem's downfall is the amount of people sharing the line, DSL downfall is how far you are from the central station. ;)

[Anders the White]

SIemens XpressLink

Works. Never think of it as a piece of hardware because I never have had to think of it periode.

[othello]

I'm in the UK, and use this ADSL box.

<a href="http://www.solwise.co.uk/adslspec.htm#SAR715" target="_blank">Solwise ADSL router</a>

Its fantastic, and dead cheap. :)

[Overhope]

And ugly! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

This is my little baby:

http://www.limemusic.com/adsl/front_large.jpg
That said, you can't really see it because it lives on the other end of 15m of CAT5 cable, under the sofa.... It's been online for about 2 weeks without any hassle.

[Stefan]

I'm running a Westell Wirespeed from Verizon hooked up to a SMC router. I like the smc cause it has a built in dynamic dns client in the router and it keeps my connection always up and strong.

[othello]

[quote]Originally posted by Overhope:
<strong>And ugly! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
</strong><hr></blockquote>

true, but never given me a moments hassle. a doddle to set-up. just plugged in my 3 macs into the ethernet ports, changed their network settings and off you go...

yeah, it doesn't look great, but its got a metal case, and will outlive your style over substance box...

<img src="graemlins/cancer.gif" border="0" alt="[cancer]" />

[Overhope]

:)

It's just a fancy case on the normal Speedtouch innards. Seriously, I don't spend any time looking at it, it's just tiny, out of the way, and works which are the main things I care about.

ADSL is so easy these days: I plugged it in, gave it my ISP details, gave my Mac an IP address, gave my Windoze laptop an address in the same range and everything's happy. Can't remember how the hell I ever got Win95 to log in to OS X, but I just FTP stuff to it anyway...