Suggestions to Buy Modem / Router in 2020 for HFC nbn Internet from Internode

Ldivyesh123 on 02/07/2020 - 09:19
Last edited 02/07/2020 - 09:29

Hello everyone, I am one of the very lucky one's in Australia who will be getting NBN connection for the first time through Internode. Internode website says the following.

"HFC/FTTC Ethernet WAN
with 802.1q VLAN 2"

I currently have "D-Link DSL-2890AL WIRELESS AC1750 Gigabyte Cloud ADSL2+ MODEM ROUTER" which I believe would not work with HFC NBN as per the comment above. The specification for this D-Link router doesn't say it has 802.1q. And also I am sure it is not VLAN router.

I am having 2 stories townhouse with approx land area 178sqm. (standard size Townhouse in Sydney)

I know MESH technology is way to go. Budget is not an issue but I would still prefer to keep this around $400 mark.

1) Which router should I purchase?
2) Do I need 2 of them or 1 would be enough?
3) Do I need modem + router or only router for this HFC technology?
4) How does setting up / connecting router work? As in the NBN node has modem provided by NBN co or I need to have BYOD modem?

Anything else do I need to know? I am posting for the first time in the forum, apologies for any mistakes. Thank you for help!!

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • jamescavs on 02/07/2020 - 09:47
    +3

    1) If your router has a WAN port, then it should work for HFC. If you want to upgrade, I got the ASUS RT-AC68U which works great for our HFC 100 mbps plan. However, make sure your devices can connect to the 5G signal of the router, otherwise you'll need to buy new adapters.

    2) Get 1 to start with. If the internet is bad in the furthest spot away from the router, then get a second one.

    3) You only need a router. NBN will give you a connection box, which is just a modem.

    4) NBN provides modem/connection box, that will plug into the wall. You just connect a network cable from the connection box to your router's WAN port.

    Just out of curiosity, is there any reason for choosing Internode? Aussie Broadband seems to be the most popular provider on OzBargain, so if you haven't checked them out, I recommend you do.

    • divyesh123 on 02/07/2020 - 10:02

      Thanks mate, I am going with them for their promotional offer. $59.99 for 6 months on 50MBPS plan. I will change after 6 months if there is a good deal around.

      If I only need a router, can I go with AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi Router - COVR-2200? I have ordered one (single piece) for a good price of $141. Hope that would be enough.

      • Twix on 02/07/2020 - 12:30
        +1

        Yeah D-Link COVR is compatible.

        • divyesh123 on 02/07/2020 - 13:04

          do you recon I would need 2 of them or one would be enough? Would this be better at this price or should I go for Orbi50?

          • Twix on 02/07/2020 - 13:28

            @divyesh123: I can't say for sure without testing. Price wise COVR is better and performance wise Orbi wins.

    • FrankTT on 02/07/2020 - 10:33

      Thanks for the info because I am looking at buying the RT-AC68U. Does the 5g signal mean I couldn't use my Samaung S7 galaxy phone without buying the adapters you mentioned?

      • jamescavs on 02/07/2020 - 12:29
        +2

        I shouldn't have said 5G, I should have said 5GHz. Your phone should connect to it, my old galaxy note 4 could.

        I had to replace the wifi adaptor for my desktop computer as it was too old and could not see the 5 GHz signal.

        • FrankTT on 02/07/2020 - 12:48

          Thanks mate

    • ShoeyAU on 04/07/2020 - 10:05
      +1

      I spent the last 2wks troubleshooting intermittent dropouts with AussieBB (ending with a good experience) - cause came to being a combination of my router & the NBN cabling itself.

      Being a OZB'er I opted to not buy the router from ABB, and use my existing Linksys EA8300. (My conn is FTTC, btw). The 1st wk I got dropouts and using a script I logged around ~17mins of downtime per 24hrs.

      Changing 2 different routers, downtime reduced to about ~4mins/24hrs. Finally ABB called out to NBN who came and re-crimped all the cabling & supplied a new NBN modem, and smooth sailing.

      Takeaways:
      Had I opted for ABB's own supplied router, then troubleshooting would be quicker as it rules out issues on your side altogether. And if it still didn't work then ISPs have higher confidence to escalate to NBN. They don't like to do this until certain because NBN (can) charge $160 incorrect callout and creates an awkward situation.

      ABB is great! Fast support time pickup, and really helpful with diagnosis. I think for a new NBN connection, the service level is more important than price whilst you sort out teething issues.

      I now run a Uqubiti Edge Router X. It hasn't got wifi, so I connect it to my existing Linksys for the mobiles, and my PC uses ethernet cabling. I would also have considered ASUS RT-AC68U, I've had good experience with the older ASUS RT-N66U

  • bdl on 02/07/2020 - 10:30
    +3

    Your current modem supports vlan tagging with a firmware upgrade (upgrade to AU_1.02.05 or newer)

    see https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/325861 and

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/9v62w489-2#r43096265

    and http://support.dlink.com.au/Download/download.aspx?product=D…

    Try your current one first and then have a have a preferred modem model ready, which you can order if you find your current one doesn't work to your satisfaction

  • Okayy on 02/07/2020 - 11:03
    +1

    I switched to Airport extreme and it works really fast better than my TP link

    • razorite on 03/07/2020 - 22:05

      is this a good way to go ? id love to use an airport extreme

      • Okayy on 03/07/2020 - 22:14

        I got it off FB for 40 it works for me well it has 4 ports as well

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