Hi,
Thanks for reading this.
Essentially, ordered Nighthawk ac1900 r7000, which is a router, and opened it today.
I assumed it would be a router and modem.
So, from the experts, I just want to understand what are the options ( no, I am not going to return the item, as it was my mistake, and I have already opened the package).
I do not have any current contract with my ISP, have Adsl2+ from Exetel. The reason I bought it was because my speeds have come to a crawl. Speeds test shows 9.2 Mbps, but I doubt it. Internet is slow for kids when they study, and gaming is laggy. Want to eliminate the modem+ router as bottle neck. There is no NBN yet where I live.
Can I also get a good modem and use it along with the router I bought? ( Any recommendations for a good performer at a decent cost?) What are the pro and cons of combined M+R vs separate M and R?
Also, can I go with TPG DSL with only the router?
Thanks.
Varun Pant
Looking forward to hearing from you, please note that I will be responding to your views in the morning. Thanks in anticipation of your help.
Rookie mistake - bought Router instead of Router+ modem
Comments
Thanks for your response. I have a dlink modem+ router that I use currently. But want to upgrade as it is slow.
I have another old Linksys modem that I flashed with ddwrt to run it on bridge config to connect my home media devices with Ethernet ports but no wireless.How good is Speed touch 536v6 in terms of speeds?
If it is slower than my D link, I will just keep using it.
Thanks again.
Your dlink has slow wireless or slow connection speeds? Or slow network speeds?
Basically, in what way is it slow? :)
Thanks for your comment. The internet seems very slow. The results from speedtest.net are not bad, but actual speeds are slow- can take ages to load pages- video buffering before playback etc. If I disconnect my mobile from Wi-Fi, the video plays seamlessly over 4g, which gives me double the speeds in tests too.
ADSL2+ tech hasn't changed much over the years. If you were getting dropouts/sync issues, then changing the modem to one with a different chipset (eg. Broadcom) might help. But if it's just general slowness, it may not be the modem. Exetel may be able to do a remote test on your modem to check for line issues (or talk you through their standard procedure over the phone). Regardless, trying your modem in bridge mode to your new router as Spack suggested would be a good place to start.
@varunpant:
4G is WAAY faster than most internet connections in the country, so it makes perfect sense that you have no issue on 4G.Your modem might be a problem, but more likely
1) your distance to the Phone Exchange (ADSL speed is determined by the length of copper phone line from House to Exchange, the longer the line, the slower the internet)
2) your ISP - cheap ISP's skimp out on the connection from their servers to the actual internet - that's the area they can cut corners to offer a cheaper price.
3) your router - a modem is a modem is a modem, it turns beeps and clicks into ones and zeros (and vice versa). The modem in an expensive modem/router has the same performance as the modem in a cheap modem/router. The router part is the bit that decides where all those ones and zero's go in your network.. a Slow/cheap router can slow your Internet connection.
Modem technology hasn't changed for years.. An ADSL2+ modem from 10 years ago is just as fast as a brand new model.You can't control (1), aside from moving house…
You have some control over (2), less so if you're in contract and are unwilling to break contract - Who is your current ISP?
You can resolve/eliminate (3) by bridging your existing modem to your nice, new high-end router. Bridging "turns off" the router part of your modem/router. The modem part still does its thing turning clicks and beeps into bits (ones and zeroes), but hands that stream of bits to your Router to do the hard work of deciding where they should be sent.@scubacoles:
Thanks for your detailed response.
ISP is Exetel, and I do not have a contract- month to month.
OK, then I will use the two devices sequentially.
ThanksExetel is probably the actual problem though..
I'm also with them and our experience isn't too bad, but we're on a Telstra port which seems to have fewer issues than customers on Optus Hardware.
You should seriously consider changing ISP's. They might charge a bit more, but they'll likely deliver better service than Exetel.@scubacoles: Maybe that is the way to go. Will hold on for a little longer, while a few things get finalised.
Can you get the 9.2mbps consistently, or only at certain times? Could possibly be peak time congestion. I'd try wiring a laptop/PC (if possible) directly to the modem via Ethernet, and perform speed tests at different times during the day and evening (~6-9:00PM). Also note the Ping.
As scubacoles said, Exetel is likely the problem- I haven't heard much good about them. TPG/Telstra is the way to go IMO.
@donnot:
Thanks for the advice.
TPG was not something you associated with performance a few yrs back. But things might have changed.
I am going to configure my D link to run as modem, and use the night hawk as the router.Depends on location really with the ISPs. Telstra (in my area) slows down to a crawl on some nights (this is on a 4mbps connection), while people on TPG have flawless connections. Other locations are the opposite. Best bet with ISPs is to check with neighbours about their experiences if you're looking to switch.
@donnot: copper is the most likely candidate … not the ISP. I could switch to another ISP but the copper back to the exchange is going to be the same so I wouldn't expect a different result. Peering comes into it but I'd have thought Telstra's ASN to be superior to TPG's albeit more cont/gested.
He's saying that speed tests are showing 9.2mbps but everything seems slow, so line distance/attenuation shouldn't be a problem and the issue is more likely to be on the ISPs side. Exetel isn't exactly a top-tier ISP.
Could be the line if there's no pattern (e.g. peak period) when the internet feels slow, or packet loss from the line, but unlikely.
It's been a few years since I've been on ADSL, but the Speedtouch 536v6 produced the fastest line speed for me. It was recommended on Whirlpool back then (not sure if there's any better modem since then).
Heyy Varun!
I did the same stupid thing. I now use my old modem / router for the modem and the new Wireless N router for the wifi. Derp!
And is the performance any better?
Happened with me except mine was a modem and not a router! luckily my local store easily exchanged it for a modem and router device after paying the difference, might worth trying with your store as well, you might hate too many devices with wires running around them.
Not many wires. I have routers :-)
You will need to run a LAN cable between the modem and the router and a power adapter for each
Thanks, that much I know.
The reason I bought it was because my speeds have come to a crawl.
I hate to break it to you but that's Exetel's normal service level. And yes they will have you off borrowing/buying crap etc. when it's just them.
Till last yr, did not have issues. Speeds were good enough.
Netflix effect?
Are you on an Optus Port or a Telstra one?
If you don't know, how much do you pay? And what's your download allowance?Maybe Netflix. I am on a Optus port- changed from Telstra three years back I think.
Recently changed plan- Download 300 GB, 150 peak/ 150 Off peak. Uploads counted. Paying 60 AUD. Unlimited phone to phone.
Until last year just like all the other customers? Incredible, it's almost like you use the same isp.
Were you with Exetel earlier and …let me guess…were not happy with their service ? :-)
You could bridge your existing router+modem (if the model allows for it) and use it with your new router.
Speedtouch 536v6 can sometimes be found second-hand on eBay or Cash Converters for a pretty low price($10 or less).