[plug] ADSL: Hardware Gateways vs Linux

[Bill Kenworthy]

I have used a netcomm ADSL router to "protect" some windows machines. 
Found it flakey (hard lockups), very poor tech support (via India?),
inflexible and limited functionality compared to a linux box, but almost
foolproof. (hint: search the web for the model number first - wish I had
done that before, not after we bought it!

I would use it again (but not a netcom product), esp. for inexperienced
home users, but I'll stick to my own builds for myself, and I think most
"geek" users would say the same.

BillK


On Mon, 2004-07-05 at 13:46, Trevor Phillips wrote:
> I'm preparing to take the ADSL plunge (FINALLY), and have started looking at 
> what ADSL Modems and variants thereof are available. In particular, since 
> I'll probably sign up with Westnet, I've been looking at what hardware they 
> offer:
>    http://www.westnet.com.au/products/broadband/adsl/hardware.shtm
> 
> First up - how do these ADSL Hardware routers compare to a Linux Box for 
> firewall & NAT support? I'm guessing that Linux has the advantage of being 
> fully customisable, upgradeable, & patchable, but how much advantage (if any) 
> is that compared to a dedicated hardware solution? I could go with a simple 
> ADSL Modem, whack a second net card in the Linux server (current dial-up 
> server - really needs some maintenance done on config tho), or I could go 
> with one of the ones with 4-port, and demote my Linux server to a file/web 
> server.
> 
> The other consideration is whether to take the opportunity to take the plunge 
> into Wireless, and get an ADSL Modem which also doubles as a Wireless Access 
> Point. The main concern is if the range will stretch from the study at one 
> end of the house, through multiple walls to the other end of the house. How's 
> the range on these sort of SOHO products?
> 
> Lastly - what are the Netcomm's like which Westnet offer? (See above link). 
> The PDF brochures all read rather well, but then, not having networking as a 
> specialty field, a lot of the acronyms go over my head. ^_^ (Although the 
> spec sheet for the Netcomm 5580W wireless one reads a lot like a Linux 
> feature-set. Anyone know if it's really an embedded linux device?)
> 
> Any other gotcha's or advice on hardware and configuration?