[ubuntu-za] Which ADSL router?

Tue Jan 26 06:46:01 UTC 2016

I agree with Robin, most problems are with Telkom, and they will never admit
it. At work we have they same problem. We have a depot that needs to connect
via RDP to the headoffice. It keeps losing connection, but the depot's
internet remains strong. Obviously the problem must lie with Head Office's
ADSL line, but telkom refsuses to admit and fix it.

Anyway, I use an Asus DSL-N10E router at home. I got it second hand and do
not even use the right DC adapter. It's been running 3 years straight
without rest and without problems

Ashton

From: ubuntu-za-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
[mailto:ubuntu-za-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Robin Bownes
Sent: 26 January 2016 10:37 AM
To: ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com
Subject: Re: [ubuntu-za] Which ADSL router?

Hi All, 

I must say, that in 20+ years of IT support (not all involving ADSL
obviously), I've found that ADSL routers either work, or don't. The one
exception that I've experienced, is when ants invade a router (or PC) and
take up residence. Then one is likely to experience some very strange
failures and recoveries as the ants move around, build nests, etc.
Sometimes, bugs are still literal.

On the other hand, I've found that that ISPs and Telkom can be relied on to
lie about problems that they may be experiencing. After many thousands of
calls to multiple ISPs and to Telkom, I can assure you that their
"unpressured" response is almost always to blame the client's
hardware/software/etc., and deny any fault on their part. Again, in my
experience, ADSL connectivity and speed problems that are solved by a router
reboot, are usually Telkom related - port reset, faulty earthing on a cable
or connection box, etc. Telkom's copper network, including many of the
boards at their exchanges, are not in great condition, whatever their
protestations. Urban areas are generally better than many rural areas. I've
just moved (year & half ago) from Fish Hoek, Cape Town, to Eshowe in
Northern KZN, and while I and my clients experienced these kind of problems
in Cape Town, I can vouch for the fact that they are far worse rural towns
like Eshowe, and Cradock (Eastern Cape), where my parents used to live.

As to which modem/router I'd recommend - NetGear & DLink are obviously very
good (but pricey), however, my go-to modems/routers are TP-Link. In all my
years of recommending and supplying them to clients, and using them myself,
they have remained reliable, stable, easy to set up, feature-full (depending
on model), and the best value for money. My own TP-Link router has been
running continually, without problem, since 2007.

Well, that's my two cents worth. Hope it's helpful.

Robin

On 01/26/2016 09:54 AM, Matthew French wrote:

On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 9:41 AM, dave.apter <dave.apter at gmail.com
<mailto:dave.apter at gmail.com> > wrote:

Do routers die slowly/gradually? Or are they 'binary',  ie either work or
not.  I believe the latter. 

I think the more common case is sudden failure. It either works or it
doesn't. 

But there are many reasons why electronics can die slowly. Moisture, dry
joints, expansion cracks from heating, etc. I remember one server that had a
microscopic crack on the motherboard and would reboot at random.

High frequency applications such as WiFi can be especially tricky as
electrical flaws can start to have radio effects.

But with today's manufacturing volumes it doesn't make sense to try
understand why something fails unless you are the manufacturer. Just
replacing the router is a fraction of the cost of doing a thorough technical
analysis. 

Talking of which: a common problem with ADSL is water in the phone lines. A
new router won't solve this problem. Getting fibre will - if you are lucky
enough to have that option... :-)

- Matthew

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