DSL Modems

[Alastair]

Just a request for advice from the enlightened.

I am moving house, which has resulted in me having to change telephone and Broadband 2+ from Optus to Iinet. I had the option to use existing modem (cost $80), or buy new one through Iinet at ~ $200. Kicker is of course that Iinet "...only support the Belkin modem which they supply...."

Question here is:

Will the Optusnet modem (Siemens Speedstream 4200) work on Iinet?

Would anyone know where I could find out more information, or instructions as to how to set up?

or

Should it be in the "too hard" box, and stump up for the "supported" modem, (which would burn my butt!)

Thanks and regards

[clubbyr8]

Alastair,

According to Whirlpool, Siemens provide little or no support for this modem. It is ADSL2+. This a comment from Whirlpool.

A warning to those looking to use a SpeedStream 4200:
Siemens offers basically no support for these devices (or so it seems, any other SpeedStream modem/router) and there is no known CLI manual that exists. The only thing you get is a small users guide PDF file and thats about it. The original support page was efficient.com (Efficient Networks, Inc.) however they have been bought out by Siemens and (almost) all of their previous product lines have been dropped and are no longer supported. BEWARE.

I'd buy the new modem from Iinet.

Bob

[q9]

The modem will work, it is just that the company will only give you help on the modem they supply. "Support" is a customer service thing, not a technical requirement in this context.

Personally, I'd get a Linksys. They have very good technical support should you need it, but generally they just work. We had a small issue with one we bought here for work, which was to do with inbound VPN traffic not traversing through, but that was fixed with a firmware update Linksys sent me. Was less than $150

[Milar]

I was with iinet using a netgear for a couple of years. The one time I needed support they still helped out OK but couldn't tell me how to get to certain setting screens, which was fine with me.

If I was to buy a new modem now, I'd get a Billion. I got one for my MIL and tested it at home first. I got speeds about 50% faster than my old Netgear does.

Once you find something, enter the model number you're interested in to www.staticice.com.au (http://www.staticice.com.au) before making any purchases. Great way to keep em honest.

[Chris Parks]

I use an ancient Netgear modem on IINET. They have never failed to help me if I have had problems.

[X-Man]

Cant personally help you but a good place to ask your question would be in the forums at http://whirlpool.net.au/

cheers

[prozac]

I'm with Milar and get a Billion. If you think you may use Voip then make sure the modem has Qos (Quality of Service) so it can allocate the right number of packets to your Voip connection and still allow you to use the internet at the same time. I currently do not have Qos and it makes for a sometimes poor phone connection. When I get my new internet connection soon I will be buying a Billion 7402 or equivalent.

[clubbyr8]

I'm with the others, get a Billion (forget what I said about the Belkin). Just bought a 7300G to replace my 7300 (wanted wireless for my Topfield PVR). Cost me $109. Didn't go for the 7400 series as I don't use VOIP.

Bob

[Alastair]

Thanks for all the help, guys.

Looks like I will give the 4200 a try, and put the 'fluence on iinets' tech support as far as possible.

Advice on Whirlpool has been similar, with suggestions to go Billion if problems too big.

regards