Recommended Modem for Broadband

[neilm]

Heya.

I wanna try and make that leap, from dialup to broadband, just need some advice first. Is there any recommended modems to buy (or even a modem router?) for a broadband package, I'm still a student, so I can't pay way over the odds for it, just something that is really good at a decent price

If possible, tell me why you recommended it... cheers.

 

[JackMDS]

Before you think about any buying you should first find a provider and see what the provider offers, and what is thier specs. for a Modem.

If you can avoid a Modem/Router Combo. Avoid it it "Sux".

:sun:

 

[neilm]

Good point Jack never thought of that, always thought the modems an ISP would offer would be, well... crap to put it bluntly, so tried to avoid them like the plague and never even thought about looking at specs/details. Time to go ISP huntin then, this should be fun.

What about brands, would there be better manufacturers than others?

Also, why is the modem/router combo not recommended? Is it a cost issue? performance issue? or?

Thanks again.

 

[WaxHaX0rS]

This may not be the case for everyone, but the old modem my ISP gave me also has routing capabilities and I can't access or change settings such as port forwarding because it is so old and crappy.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: neilmAlso, why is the modem/router combo not recommended? Is it a cost issue? performance issue? or?

Thanks again.

Because it is usually a One Port feature limited Wired Router. Good 4 Ports Wired Routers can be found in the USA for less then $15.

In addtion if one day you would like to go to go Wireless, you would get a Wireless Cable/DSL Router, and hope that you can some how switch off the Combo.

:sun:

 

[Rottie]

Earthlink offers ADSL modem with different brand names and sometime they can give you Linksys router at extra cost for home networking. But be careful if you decide to cancel contact they will not let you return equipments they just want to charge you for those equipments and early termination fee.

 

[neilm]

I was thinking about sharing the Internet connection with another computer (well give the other computer 56k modem speeds hehe), would I need a router for that, or would a hub or something do just as well?