DSL modem w/wireless router recommendation.?

I have comcast internet right now and downgrading to AT&T DSL w/3mbp. I never had dsl before so I need some help buying one. I want a combo dsl modem with wireless router or a cheap dsl modem because I have a wireless router already. Something under $100. I saw this modem and want to know if its any good D-Link Systems DSL-2640B ADSL2/2+ Modem with Wireless Router

 

If you have a router already why do you need another one? Doesn't AT&T provide a free modem for you? I still have mine when I had DSL from them.

 

AT&T isnt supplying you with a modem that has an integrated wireless router?

I have AT&T and the 2Wire 3800HGV-B came with the internet plan free of charge.

 

I will not have a home phone line so they have a deal that is $40 a month w/out phone line that does not come with the free modem.

I am looking for a modem. A stand alone modem cost as much as a modem w/wireless router combo . I can sale my router and make up for the difference.

 

Ah I see. Well I honestly don't have much advice and this is the first DSL setup I have had. I do know that the router aforementioned has worked flawlessly, but I doubt it would be needed if you are not going to have TV and or a phone line to go with it.

Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm sure some of the technology gurus will chime in on this one. Good luck!

 

That's okay. Comcast is so expensive!! $70 monthly for just internet!!

 

We have Verizon DSL.

Our router is a Westell Versalink Model 327W. I'm not a techy person when it comes to that kinda stuff (My husband knows all that stuff).

The router is located upstairs and our laptop/PS3 are downstairs. Every once in a while we have to reset it. I think that's more because of the laptop than the router itself.

 

It's expensive- but that cause it's more reliable and it's a personal line- Not shared like DSL circuits are.

D-Link is good gear. I can't speak specifically to that modem...but I use their wireless stuff for my network...and did some research work in college with it too. YOu can get better...but you'll spend boku $$$

 

I have a dlink dir-655 wireless router and it works great. No problems what so ever. I hop over to the Fry's store this weekend and see what they offer.

 

I've installed countless modems for friends, family, and business. Use the modem they give you, and put your own router on it. I usually get Linksys for home use. If they give you a modem/router combo, you can use that too.

I've been burnt a couple times using my own epuipment (modems). You pay X amount of dollars for a modem, and a year down the road your service provider upgrades their equipment. This may cause yours to become useless. I like Motorola brand modems if you have to buy your own. My last one from Comcast was a Moto, and it worked great.

One technique that you may want to try is getting the biggest and best package for Internet, because sometimes they throw in better equipment. After a month, downgrade it to the cheaper package.

 

Good idea, Thanks!

 

I've done some networking both for myself/family and in a professional environment.

in the past, I have had severe problems with D-Link... but that's been 5 years ago. From the general consensus lately, I'm hoping they cleaned up? They definitely try to give a lot of bang for the buck.

Motorola continues to be the most complex. It's as if they strive to be different in all the wrong areas, either by hardware or firmware. Unless you are well-versed, I would avoid them - once you need to tweak something, they will be the hardest. On the other hand, they are quite robust. I have a Surfboard cable modem that's probably 8 years old and still works great.

The name escapes me, but the typical one companies rent out goes by the name "Air____"... I think it was Airlink. They are pretty crappy and annoying.

Linksys and Netgear are your safe choices here, kind of like a PBJ sandwich of sandwich world. Out of the two, Linksys is going to be the most common - if your provider doesn't support Linksys, then they are seriously living under a rock.


In total though, the modem is the most basic of the network devices that sits outside your computer these days, there's not much interaction you really do with it.

I would really recommend getting the modem and router as separate gear. It's most likely that you will change out the router due to a technology change; or if you move away from DSL, you can still use the router. Additionally, there's more buying options to better suit your needs.

 

You may be thinking Actiontec. Verizon usually deals w/ them or westell's.

Another idea that I throw in there is to completely get away from standard DSL or Cable Internet. If you are a mobile person, look into Verizon or Sprint PC Cards. You can get routers, Kyocera KR2, and pop the PC Card into them. BAM, your up virtually anywhere that you get a cell signal. It's not as fast as DSL/Cable, but much more mobile.

Here's some links:

http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/kr2-router/

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...t&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=2850

 

That's the one

 

That's backwards. Any and all CATV is shared and speed is dependant on amount of traffic. AT&T uses dedicated speed directly to the customer via the old school phone lines. The phone company used to use shared service for party lines.

To the OP. I'm a tech for AT&T. I do repair and install of DSL & POTS service. If you want an all in one wireless/router/modem, get a 2wire, netopia is just too much and hard to use. You can also get a plain motorola 2210 and use a wireless router of your own. Motorola, and 2wire are good. Westell modems aren't.

Also. My experience with dlink tells me they suck. Linksys WR54GL I beleive is what I use at home and it's great. Try NewEgg. I would link you but I'm on my iPhone.

 

Okay- I'll give you that you share the connection on a cable connection too...All networking systems are shared at some point.

However- The DSL connection bandwidth can degrade over distance and in general is not be fast as cable. There are instances where it'll beat a cable modem, but not many in my (non-professional) experience. It's comparing two different types of systems...and DSL is improving every day- but I'll take my cable modem and service any day.

 

x2 distance to the CO & what condition the facilities in the ground are in effects service. In my area Fairpoint is barely treading water & losing ground everyday since buying Verizon out on its landline/Internet services. That cutover was a nightmare for many subscribers.

 

yeah..Making any sort of major transition is a pain...Going into an area with DSL or cable, swapping over or adding service can be a mess. It took YEARS for verizon to get DSL into my folks town. Cable showed up just after it.

There are places that only get one or the other because of services costs and what not.

 

Ummm... partially right.

Cable is better deployed within a city due to the involved infrastructure, DSL requires less. Cable has the potential to be faster because of the cabling used, but can be diluted due to the bandwidth that you share in with neighbors - you all connect to that one cable box. DSL isn't shared between your neighborhood, but suffers from wiring that caps at something like 10Mbps and can be really low grade stuff.

My parents live outside the city limits and weren't eligible for cable internet until about 2 years ago, whereas Qwest DSL had no problem.. they just weren't focused on providing the service in the past, so had to get themselves set up.


Overall, it's the backbone that matters, what's in the ground connecting to your local repeater? For cable, you plug in with a CAT5/e or CAT6 cable, your house most likely has a coax line that runs to a cable box, and somewhere along the line becomes part of a fiber network.

 

Bahhh you're right. But ATT is working on UVERSE fiber fed TV and internet. If it's in your area I suggest you get it cause it's really nice. But then again I'm biased. So in the mean time....


ATT FTW!!!!