IPCop PCI ADSL Modem Recommendation please

[Ric_]

I'm looking at building a proper firewall for my home set up which will also replace my cr@ppy Linksys box which is getting steadily worse.

 

I've decided to use IPCop and get an oldish rack-mount server and reckon that a PCI ADSL modem will keep the job nice and neat... too many little boxes wind me up.

 

If anybody has ant recommendations or tales of hardware to steer clear from, please let me know.

[webman]

There's a one going round under the guise of a Conexant ADSL PCI modem which I have used with IPCop before. They never used to support it, but since 1.4.x they did. I don't use it any more, and providing I can find it am willing to send it to you

[ChrisH]

I used a USB alcatel for a while but for some reason after two weeks all my pings to game servers shot up yet the connection seemed fine. I bought an Alcatel PCI modem to replace it but havent got round to getting another box for it yet. http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=96220

[CyberNerd]

I use a BeWan PCI adsl device.

Its very reliable - but I need to reinstall the driver with every kernel upgrade (fairly simple and I can post full details if you need)

I bought it a few years ago from smoothwall (but don't use smoothie anymore)

http://www.smoothwall.net/products/bewanadslpcist/

 

TBH though I'd probably recommend you go for an ethernet device - much easier to set up

[Ric_]

@ChrisH: I was reading about the ping problem with USB modems and also that they have issues with processor load (not a big issue for me but it would be for a home user connecting it directly to their PC).

 

I did see the Alcatel one at Scan but couldn't easily find out its chipset. It's rather cheap though @ £9.34 inc VAT!

[tom_newton]

The Bewan is the best for either SmoothWall or IPCop - don't buy from us (SmoothWall) though, we don't ship enough to be cost effective - our supplier is Eos Comms - http://www.eoscommunications.com - they will sell to the public. Only reason we carry them is for people who want everything from one place.

[NetworkGeezer]

don't buy from us (SmoothWall) though, we don't ship enough to be cost effective - our supplier is Eos Comms -

 

Wow! Proof enough that the OSS world operates along different lines.

 

Are you the MD?

[webman]

Are you the MD?

 

According to most places, he's the Product Manager

[NetworkGeezer]

Oh OK but it's his mortgage

[Ric_]

Found an interesting site called http://www.adslnation.co.uk which has some nice looking products. Just bought the 'Ethernet Modem' instead of the PCI card since my requirements have since changed.

 

If this thing is as good as it makes out, it should be worthy of a review

[john]

I have heard many good reviews of that site

[Ric_]

Update: The modem arrived yesturday and is indeed good... connects first time and reports a connection of 588kbps upstream and 288kbps downstream - not bad considering my line supposedly only supports 512kbps! (out in the sticks)

 

Unfortunately, adslnation forgot to put the new microfilter in the box! Rang them up and they will be sending one out which is good. These fancy microfilters are supposed to improve the line quality and eek every last bit of speed out whilst clearing up any noise on the phone line. At £9 it's worth a pop.

 

Just need to work out why my IPCop box would ping and device on the network but no other device could pick up a DHCP lease or ping the IPCop box. Going to test another box tonight (one that I know works!)

[tickmike]

Hi Ric.

Re....Unfortunately, adslnation forgot to put the new microfilter in the box! Rang them up and they will be sending one out which is good. These fancy microfilters are supposed to improve the line quality and eek every last bit of speed out whilst clearing up any noise on the phone line. At £9 it's worth a pop.

 

Are you going to use one of the 'Master socket' type filters.

I have just ordered broadband and should get it next week (hope) and I was going to use one of these master socket filters, and I'm going to place my modem next to the master socket then RJ45 cable to my loft where my wireless router will be.

 

Re....not bad considering my line supposedly only supports 512kbps! (out in the sticks)

 

How far are you from the exchange ?.I'm in the sticks about 4kl from the exchange, but hoping to get about 4>5Mb download.

 

Good luck.

[Ric_]

@tickmike: IIRC 6km from the exchange!

 

Microfilter arrived yesterday! Bloody good service if you ask me!

 

I'm still having issues on my network though My spare IPCop box has finally died (to be fair it was found at the tip a couple of years ago!) and I have tried every possible combination of NIC in the other box. I've also swapped the Cisco Catalyst switch for a Linksys FastSwitch to no avail. It is indeed strange!

[tom_newton]

Oh OK but it's his mortgage

 

 

It is yes - but i'm not going to lose sleep over a couple of Bewans, and neither is George (our MD). We make sweet FA on them, and as with the rest of our kit we would rather people walk away happy than take a few more quid off them.

[tom_newton]

Be careful running huge runs of cable - convert to nice friendly ethernet ASAP!

A colleague managed to get another 50k/sec by changing to a short, custom built RJ11 cable - I know it sounds like the sort of tale you'd get out of hi-fi buffs and their gold interconnects, but it's true!

 

Also found a modem can make 100k/sec difference - best I have seen is the westell. TBH, the bewan aint too bad. I use one we had sent back in my home smoothwall.