how much does the quality of the modem matter?
i'm forced to choose between the D-Link DSL-224 OR the TP-Link Archer VR300. whatever the choice it'll work only as a modem connected to my Linksys EA8300 as the router.
Especially on bad/ long lines, the xDSL modem can make a significant difference - both in terms of stability (line drops) and performance.
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These are my current readings from a “Huawei DG8045”
Upstream line rate (kbit/s): 5120
Downstream line rate (kbit/s): 40957
Maximum upstream rate (kbit/s): 47213
Maximum downstream rate (kbit/s): 110184
Upstream noise safety coefficient (dB): 31
Downstream noise safety coefficient (dB)：19.9
Upstream interleave depth: 1
Downstream interleave depth: 3
Line standard: VDSL
Upstream line attenuation (dB): 1.7
Downstream line attenuation (dB)：2.1
Upstream output power (dBm)：-9
Downstream output power (dBm): 11.7
Channel type: Interleaved
That one is likely Realtek RTL8685S based.
You probably meant VR300 which is likely Econet EN7513 based.
Anyway, both are not too appealing but if I had the choice I would probably still go with the TP-Link one.
Yes VR300.
So far the only other available TP-Link modems are VR400,VR600, TD-W9960 and The D-Link DSL-2888A.
Apart from the TD-W9960 they are a little out of my price range; However, I can save up some more and get any of them if it’s recommended.
Well, back with such DSL I was very happy with my BT Home Hub 5A which even run OpenWrt.
Unfortunately it’s not available where I am , those listed above are the only ones I’ve been able to find so far
They should be easy to find on eBay. Alternatively I might even be able to send you one.
Look like cabinet is in front of your house / building . Youre ISP should be able to offer ~100Mbit service on this line. VRX200 based CPE are best OpenWrt routers capable VDSL2 but they fail into dumb modem for ~100Mbit lines .
I don't think OpenWrt VDSL2 modem will change anything . But look for OpenWrt Router capable SFQ witch AC/AX wireless to connect it behind ISP modem
I'm rocking 60/8 VDSL2 on Openwrt FB7412 and Padavan DIR-878
Close. It’s about 10-15 meters away.
My ISP Actually said my line doesn’t support 100mbit but I’ll argue that in the future after I get everything as stable as it can get.
I’m not looking for a OpenWRT capable VDSL router but rather a good one from the modem+router combos I listed above which will run only in bridge mode then connected to a linksys ea8300 with OpenWRT as a router.
@sumo I’ll look into importing one if none from the available is good enough. Thanks for the offer.
Edit: do I just go for the tplink VR600?
For a plain modem in bridge mode that Broadcom based one is probably much more reliable.
The VR600 v3 is mediatek. Which broadcom do you mean?
Edit: the VR400 v2 uses Broadcom BCM63168 but I suspect the one being sold is a v3 for which I’m not sure what it’s using.
I was under the impression at least previous VR600 versions were Broadcom based. Anyway, at the end it will depend on how good whatever modem will play with whatever equipment (and likely configuration) your ISP is using. That said, I did not have any personal bad experience in that respect so far except a DSLAM that went flaky at one point. After my ISP resp. our monopolist telecom provider replaced that one it was back to smooth sailing.
So what is a good general criteria to look for when choosing a modem apart from the manufacturer? Does the only thing I should consider without knowing what will play nice with my ISP is the processing power and RAM since it’ll only run in modem only mode?
I would recommend something which others have made good experience with. Preferably in an environment as close as possible to what you plan to run yours in.
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the vr series has good reviews and mostly running with router mode as well. i'll see if my isp has any recommendation too.
and to be sure, neither the Econet nor the Mediatek SoCs are known to have any troubles as far as you know.
This is what i've found so far:
| Make | Model | Profile | CPU | Last FW Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei | EchoLife DG8045 | 17a | TriDuctor VSPM310 | |
| D-Link | DSL-2888A | 17a | TriDuctor VSPM340 | |
| D-Link | DSL-G2452DG | 30a | Triductor VSPM340 | |
| TP-Link | TD-W9960 | 17a | Mediatek/Econet EN7512 | |
| TP-Link | TD-W9970 N300 | 17a | Broadcom BCM63381 | |
| TP-Link | VR300 v1.2 | 30a | Mediatek/Econet EN7513T | |
| TP-Link | VR400 V2 | Broadcom BCM63168 | ||
| TP-Link | VR400 V3 AC1200 | Mediatek/Econet EN7512 / EN7513 | ||
| TP-Link | VR600 V1/V2 AC1600 | Broadcom BCM63167U / BCM63168 | ||
| TP-Link | VR600 V3 AC2100 | 35b | Mediatek/Econet EN7516 | 22 June '21 |
| Tenda | V300 | 17a | Broadcom BCM63381 | |
The reviews for the D-Link DSL-2888A which uses a TriDuctor chip like my ISP's supplied modem are mixed and the good is mostly in Australia since they keep on getting firmware updates to this day and since i'm not from there i dont know if i should use the updated firmware.
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2608885
if only my ISP allows running the modem in bridge mode i'd be done with all this headache.
For the updated chipset data and beta firmware for multiple modems:
https://www.hwupgrade.it/forum/showpost.php?p=46876118
Huawei EchoLife DG8045 chipset data comes from the FCC:(page 10)
https://fccid.io/QISDG8045/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-3534865
Edit: found another one. The Tenda V300 which for the older version had the Broadcom Chip but as for the V300 v3.0 I still don’t know if it has a Broadcom chip or not.
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I use a TP-Link w8980 on a NBN FTTN service. Very cheap and can be flashed with OpenWrt (requires a serial adapter).
I get between 100/38 - 95/32 running a very stripped down build in full bridge. I might be blessed with a good line though.
You can get w8970/w8980 for $25-50 on eBay AU.
Happy to share my build and configs if you decide to try one. Just send me a PM.
Should I go with the d-link variants since they use the same chip manufacturer as my ISP or go for the VR600 v3 since it’s still receiving updates (or try to track down a v2 with the broadcom chipset)?
I think you're making this more difficult than it needs to be. NBN FTTN only supports 17a with vectoring. Anything greater will be unused/wasted.
Updates are likely irrelevant as I doubt anybody is working on technology as old as what NBN use anyway (Europe has 35b, super-vectoring, g-fast, etc).
I suggest you take the advice given already. Get an xrx200 based device and flash OpenWrt OR anything that supports 17a+vectoring and allows you to configure it as a full bridge (many don't). Use that until NBN overbuild your area with full fibre.
Good luck with your choice.
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