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Opinions on this router please

Forum General Networking : Network General Discussions - Opinions on this router please

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camieabz   05-25-2002 at 02:25:12 AM

I'll hopefully be going to b/band soon, and I'd like your opinion on <A HREF="http://www.smc-europe.com/english/products/broad/7401BRA.html" target="_new">this</A> router.

I will have a mind to connect a second PC in the near future, and will probably use the USB port for the main internet system. Other expansions will be via a cheap switch.

Q. Is the USB connection better or worse than the 10/100 connection? My service speed will be 500kb/s down and 250kb/s up. Does the connection type make a difference for ping times, reliability etc? I've heard there can be issues with USB modems and W2K. Is this true?

Cheers!

<b><font color=blue>~ What do you mean "It isn't working!"...Now where's my sonic screwdriver? ~ </font color=blue></b>

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jlanka   05-25-2002 at 04:57:56 AM
- 0 +

it looks similar to my Efficient Speedstream 5660. Looks like a good box.

USB will probably handle those speeds (500K). But remember it uses CPU, and if you have other stuff on there it could slow down a bit.

<i>It's always the one thing you never suspected.</i>

Reply to jlanka
camieabz   05-25-2002 at 10:05:27 AM
- 0 +

I've been after soemthing with multi-ports, firewall and a built in modem. This one is a decent price too. £113.18 for the box, and I suppose £20 for a couple of ADSL filters. Ina ll not bad at all.

Cheers jlanka!

<b><font color=blue>~ What do you mean "It isn't working!"...Now where's my sonic screwdriver? ~ </font color=blue></b>

Reply to camieabz
camieabz   05-25-2002 at 12:56:59 PM
- 0 +

One other quickie.

I see when searching for ISPs there's mention of "NAT / non-NAT".

What is this and what bearing does it have on what hardware I use?

<b><font color=blue>~ What do you mean "It isn't working!"...Now where's my sonic screwdriver? ~ </font color=blue></b>

Reply to camieabz
jlanka   05-26-2002 at 02:24:45 AM
- 0 +

not sure what they mean in terms of ISP NAT NAT (if you didn't already know) is when the router is able to take private LAN addresses and convert them to the actual address on the WAN side, and back again. It stands for Network Address Translation. Didn't think an ISP could tell whether you were doing it or not, or if they really cared.

<i>It's always the one thing you never suspected.</i>

Reply to jlanka
CALV   05-27-2002 at 12:15:50 PM
- 0 +

is this BT you are going with? if so, friend of mine bought one with buuilt in modem and didnt work :( he ended up using the one bt supplied, cant remember the name of it but its purple and looks like a squashed mouse.


If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?

Reply to CALV
camieabz   05-27-2002 at 07:08:29 PM
- 0 +

That'll be the Alcatel Speedtouch (510?). I want a router with bulit in modem and firewall. I don't want to have to spend cash on many parts, as I have a tight budget.

I'm considering Zen, Pipex or Eclipse. Not BTO. I think I'll be going with Zen. Pipex are very cheap, but Zen have a couple of decent little gizmos in their package. I've been checking them out all weekend, so I can't remember which has what , but I think I'm looking at a static IP and no minimum term contract sort of deal.

Any opinions on ISPs yourself?

<b><font color=blue>~ What do you mean "It isn't working!"...Now where's my sonic screwdriver? ~ </font color=blue></b>

Reply to camieabz
jihiggs   05-27-2002 at 07:35:29 PM
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im leary about those built in modems, your isp may have to do some configuration to get it going, when i got my dsl the guy spent 5 min typing in default routes, and metrics.

how do you shoot the devil in the back? what happens if you miss? -verbal

Reply to jihiggs
tmlim   05-27-2002 at 08:11:10 PM
- 0 +

I'll just say this, I'll never buy SMC again.
I have a 4 port router, and it's not very good.
It changes IPs byitself for no reason. And if you don't get the firmware updates, the interface sucks.

Reply to tmlim
camieabz   05-28-2002 at 12:05:58 AM
- 0 +

Well I've since found out that that particular router is 'unsuitable' for what I want.

I'm now looking at the <A HREF="http://www.netgear.co.uk/html/pdfs/dg814.pdf" target="_new">Netgear Device</A>

More comments appreciated.

jihiggs: I'll be expecting some teething troubles, but I would assume as long as I'm made aware of the protocols required and the (I'll hopefully be getting a static IP) default stuff, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Here's hoping.

<b><font color=blue>~ What do you mean "It isn't working!"...Now where's my sonic screwdriver? ~ </font color=blue></b>

Reply to camieabz
Anonymous   05-28-2002 at 04:36:10 AM
- 0 +

isnt usb limited to 1.5Mb? so isnt that 185k or so? or is it 1.5megabyte?

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CALV   05-28-2002 at 10:01:39 AM
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not sure on the usb speed, but my opinion on usb remains- usb is for gamepads and cameras, lan cards are for networks.
Yes, is was an alcatel or however you spell it, and as I say, he had a lot of bother.


If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?

Reply to CALV
labdog   05-28-2002 at 11:52:10 PM
- 0 +

<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=21155#21155" target="_new">xDSL speeds</A>

<i>if <b>you know</b> <font color=white>you don't know<font color=black>, the way could be more easy ...

Reply to labdog
labdog   05-28-2002 at 11:58:10 PM
- 0 +

for me, SMC is an above average nic brand.
of course, IMO, the best of is 3COM.


<i>if <b>you know</b> <font color=white>you don't know<font color=black>, the way could be more easy ...

Reply to labdog
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