Educate me on routers please

Spending2Much on 28/11/2015 - 05:29
Last edited 28/11/2015 - 06:23

GF has fixed Telstra bigpond internet connection.
Think 200gb package with her phone and mobile.
I dont have internet at home, rather just my mobile data package.
So, at her house I've bought a Netflix subscription, recently a getflix subscription.
The router is a Telstra Thomson TG782. Apparently we can't change the DNS settings and the router often drops in and out.
We connect 2 laptops, iPad, tablet, 3 mobiles, basic home printer and chromecast to the home Wi-Fi.

So, to replace the router, what am I looking for? How much do I need to spend? What's the recommendations please?

Internet

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 28/11/2015 - 05:43
    +1

    That's an ADSL modem. Which is also happens to be a router. So it's a combination of both an ADSL2+ modem and a router, which is what most ADSL modems would be nowadays (it is rare to find an ADSL modem that doesn't have a router function)

    The TP Link Archer D9 is one of the best routers around, for $199 shipped it's a great value router for any kind of user — both basic and advanced. Regularly sold at $240+, if you can buy this at $199 it's a very good deal.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/222213

    The cheaper alternative to that is the Archer D7, which is functionally very similar to the D9 but with a few features removed (namely, USB3.0 port), and is still a very good option for most. This sells for $150 usually and if you paid anything less than $130 you're getting a very good price. Last went on sale one day ago (you missed out.)
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/221366

    The Billion 7800NL is also another hot seller, and although it has been out for some time and could be considered on the brink of obsolescence, it is very affordable at around $105 AUD (this is the normal price). The cheapest place to get this is from here for $89 and the shipping is free! The main downside is that this device is in fact quite basic — and doesn't have USB ports or Gigabit LAN.

    The 7800NL has a bigger brother called the 7800NXL ($130 AUD) which has a USB port for you to stick USB devices into to share storage, printers and even a 3G networking dongle in case you want backup internet access when your ADSL fails. It also has Gigabit LAN which is a neccessity if you have any Ethernet connected devices. But if you're going to get this, it's much better to pay extra for the ARcher D7 instead.

    • Spending2Much on 28/11/2015 - 06:29

      Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Apreciate it.
      So modem/router in one. Noted.

      Seems I need to decide If I future proof any purchase, ie,the D9 with all the features(perhaps some of which we won't or wouldn't currently use) or just a cheap one for the interim to make an upgrade but keep it affordable.??

      Appreciate your advice, thank you.

      • scrimshaw on 29/11/2015 - 10:28
        +1

        You really should consider Wifi AC at the very least, as many mobile devices now do use Wireless AC and that includes tablets, smartphones and modern laptops. Many routers above $120 nowadays have Wireless AC, but not all of them are made equal.

        You don't need the D9, but the D7 is my recommended 'baseline' and from my experience using both the D7 and D9, both are great routers and are both worth the coin.

        Your modem router is very old — but you should talk to telstra and ask them if they can provide you with a new router for free. Going with the Telstra branded gateway modems gives you access to the Telstra Air service but if you bought your own modem, you won't be eligible for this. Ask your girlfriend if she needs Telstra Air. If she doesn't, then you can buy any modem you want.

        • Spending2Much on 29/11/2015 - 15:57

          I have asked her to speak to Telstra to see about a new modem/router supplied no charge.

          We should have an update Monday and hoping we can get a good reply in our favour.

          D7 is noted that if we don't have any 0positive response from them.

          Many Thanks.!!

        • Spending2Much on 29/11/2015 - 16:20

          We are not interested in the Telstra air, the 100gb is enough for us.

          They want to charge ,$6 over 24 months, we'll ask of they can provide a replacement, or I'm looking for a D7 at ozbargain price.

  • Mumbles on 28/11/2015 - 06:35

    From what I read from your original post the problem is: "…the router often drops in and out."

    According to the Whirlpool forums all Telstra ADSL modems are very reliable. Its unlikely its Wi-Fi performance is faulty unless its been damaged or overheated.

    Perhaps its not a faulty Telstra ADSL modem but you are too far away from the ADSL modem for the Wifi signals to reach you. Wifi can only penetrate 1 brick wall reliably. Perhaps you can relocate the ADSL modem closer or sit in the same room?

    Just throwing out the Telstra ADSL modem and replacing it with a slightly stronger one might only give you an extra bar of signal strength or another few metres of range. You could still be stuck in the same situation.

    If your GF requires WiFi coverage for the entire of her house then you will have to properly plan how many routers/repeaters/powerline network cards/etc.

    An example of a powerline home network could look something like this:
    http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/ig/Home-Ne…

    To access your GF's Telstra ADSL modem settings type the following address into a web browser:
    http://10.0.0.138

    By the way, I am terrible with setting up home Wifi networks. I am old school and luuuv cables so so much.

    • brokenglish on 29/11/2015 - 12:45
      +1

      According to the Whirlpool forums all Telstra ADSL modems are very reliable. Its unlikely its Wi-Fi performance is faulty unless its been damaged or overheated.

      Can you give me the link to any thread regarding this? I am very interested.

      I have setup at least 10 Telstra ADSL modems and routers for different companies in the last 3 years and each of them failed within a year.

      My definition of fail here is:
      - The router will become inaccessible
      - DHCP will stop working
      - Internet might stop working (very random and sometimes you can only open google.com and telstra.com, I believe this is DNS problem)
      - It has to be restarted to temporarily restore the above

      Very reluctant to write but I have to include these:
      - You can still ping the router
      - Existing LAN cable will still work
      - Using static IP is OK too

      I have experimented with everything: location, temperature, number of users.
      Nope, within a year, I'd have to restart those routers/modems and it would keep happening.

      It is made worse if you have a large number of users (or heavy internet usage) and advanced modem configuration (IP Phone/VPN/Forward/Multiple SSID).

      One advise I would give to anyone is to not sign up with Telstra.
      Unless Telstra is the only ISP serving your area (bad luck).
      If this is the case I highly recommend you to get your own modem/router.
      Especially if you often access your computers remotely, running a server, or use home VPN.
      Unless you don't mind to keep restarting your modem/router somewhere along the way then everything is fine.

      Telstra sets up everything real quick though, very impressed with their 2 days setting up my neighbors' internet (on weekends too!).

    • Spending2Much on 29/11/2015 - 16:08

      Thanks a lot.
      I Was using the getflix subscription instructions of changing the settings to change what we needed to be able to success other regions of Netflix, and seems our router/modem isn't capable of that.

  • airzone on 28/11/2015 - 08:35

    Complain to Telstra about it.. I've seen that they will often give you a replacement if you're under contract still… Benefit of paying too much for your internet.. Lol

    • Spending2Much on 29/11/2015 - 15:59

      Thanks, have asked her to speak to Telstra and request a new router/modem.
      Hoping we can get one supplied…..and that I can change the setting to cast Netflix on Chromecast.

  • Anthrox on 29/11/2015 - 10:16
    +1

    From the specs of the Telstra Thomson TG782 seems like its running wireless G there has been wireless N and now the newest version is wireless AC as with all progress with these standards AC is better but it will cost you more if your happy to drop more money on a device make sure it does AC wireless.

    Also one of the best places to talk about modems is the whirlpool.net.au forums a site all about Australian internet

    • Spending2Much on 29/11/2015 - 16:05

      Thanks for your reply. D7 has been suggested above and as one suitable for our setup.

      We'll see if Telstra will provide a replacement modem/router and if not, move from there.
      I don't think the AIR is something that's suits us.

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