DSL modem

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Liver

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are there any dsl modems that are like the quality of surf boards for cable?

A dsl modem that's simply the best?
 
It depends on your service provider. Not all of them are the same and you'd want to make sure you choose from a list of supported modems. Most importantly, you want to make sure that any modem you choose supports bridge mode then you can configure PPPoE on your own router. Secondly, you'll want to check MTU settings on your router to verify you have the proper configuration. PPP has an 8 byte overhead above and beyond Ethernet, so you'll need to make sure that you adjust your MTU on your router to 1492.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_transmission_unit#MTUs_for_common_media

https://kb.netgear.com/19863/Ping-Test-to-determine-Optimal-MTU-Size-on-Router
 
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Its Century Link. I'm getting bogged down in this chart.

I believe the maximum they will offer me is 8/1. Most likely will not achieve that speed but that's what they will offer. I'll need 2 of them.

Suggestions?
 
Cmustang87 said:
Well, I'm remembering from this post - https://hardforum.com/threads/educate-me-on-bonding-vs-load-balancing.1929432/

Sparing me the time to sift through that whole post, is this VDSL2 or ADSL2+? Maximum for ADSL2+ is something like 24Mb down and 3.3Mb Up - but this can vary wildly from provider to provider. Knowing which service(s) you have will determine which modem is best.
Click to expand...

You are correct. I am so far unable to get an answer from Century Link on what protocol I will get. That's why I made this thread, if there is a modem that does it all.

I guess I will have to wait to find out.

Edit. Just got off the phone (65 minutes) but the answer is just high speed dsl. No vdsl no adsl+ etc. Does that make sense?
 
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It's probably standard ADSL if they are only offering 8/1 service, but they didn't really provide a helpful answer (as expected). Both ADSL2+ and VDSL are both forms of DSL (which is just categorically "high speed" internet). VDSL and ADSL+ tells us what type of protocols need to be supported.

With that said - your best bet would be the Technicolor C2100T - https://www.amazon.com/CenturyLink-Technicolor-C2100T-802-11AC-Gigabit/dp/B01MCZU07L

CenturyLink provides support for the device as per their documentation, and this modem can support fiber if they ever provide any update to your infrastructure in the area - however, you may to want to just skip a modem and use your own router in place (ISPs generally will run fiber to your house, and convert the media with a router and drop copper Ethernet to a demarcation in your home).

You could also check with CenturyLink if you can use your own router instead of a modem if the line is Ethernet into the house - you just will need your PPPoE Username/Password for this to work. This can save you the hassle of getting a modem and worrying about setting it up in bridge mode.
 
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Looks like you might be able to find a supported modem here:
http://internethelp.centurylink.com/internethelp/modems.html

At least knowing what they state are compatible modems, we could determine the most-likely DSL protocol they are using in your area.

Looking through that open list, they have both ADSL2+ and VDSL modems listed. So guessing which one would be a crapshoot.
 
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I'm getting 2 lines just to try to help with load balancing, as you discovered in my other thread. No bonding, only balancing.

So I'll need 2 modems and a load balancing router. From that I'll have wifi.

The one you recommended has wifi functionality, that will go unused. Is there a modem with just that? No wifi that you'd recommend?

Worst case I have to spend the money and disable the wifi.

Edit. The centurylink lady told me it is fiber optic. I have no idea what that exactly means.
 
It means they are carrying the signal over fiber, rather than copper wire. Chances are they will give you copper Ethernet (standard cat5e w/ rj45) into the house. You should be able to use your own router and not have a modem for this. If your new router has two WAN interfaces you will just configure both of them for PPPoE and load balancing and be done.
 
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Cmustang87 said:
gimp - Liver already provided the link above for supported modems. I think he's beyond that portion for the moment.
Click to expand...

d'oh, I missed that link.

Still, though, that doesn't limit the actual available options.
Even that list provides ADSL, ADSL2+ and VDSL modems. Some of which don't support all protocols.

Though yeah I do see the Technicolor support all three.

Here's a Netgear that does not have built-in wireless, and supports ADSL and VDSL variants.
https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/dsl-modems-routers/DM200.aspx
 
Just found this thread as I'm curious what CenturyLink is selling you here because there are some red flags that warrants concern:

 
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gimp said:
d'oh, I missed that link.

Still, though, that doesn't limit the actual available options.
Even that list provides ADSL, ADSL2+ and VDSL modems. Some of which don't support all protocols.

Though yeah I do see the Technicolor support all three.

Here's a Netgear that does not have built-in wireless, and supports ADSL and VDSL variants.
https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/dsl-modems-routers/DM200.aspx
Click to expand...

Right. This was my thought as well. OP called them and they gave him the incredibly unhelpful answer of "it's plain high speed DSL". Whatever the hell that means.
 
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I've had cable internet since it was first available. I've had a TiVo since then as well.

This is a major departure from what I'm used to. From my other thread, there isn't another viable option.

I'm sure they are tell me a bull story, so that's why I got 2 lines. I just don't know what modem will be best and cost effective. They are coming out 6/5 to install both lines and satellite.
 
Yea, that just sucks. Who knows though, hopefully you get great service. It looks like all the modems on their list are routers as well, but you can configure them in bridge mode. If they give you the proper connectivity, you can skip the modem altogether and just use your own router.

Best of luck!
 
Cmustang87 said:
It's probably standard ADSL if they are only offering 8/1 service, but they didn't really provide a helpful answer (as expected). Both ADSL2+ and VDSL are both forms of DSL (which is just categorically "high speed" internet). VDSL and ADSL+ tells us what type of protocols need to be supported.

With that said - your best bet would be the Technicolor C2100T - https://www.amazon.com/CenturyLink-Technicolor-C2100T-802-11AC-Gigabit/dp/B01MCZU07L

CenturyLink provides support for the device as per their documentation, and this modem can support fiber if they ever provide any update to your infrastructure in the area - however, you may to want to just skip a modem and use your own router in place (ISPs generally will run fiber to your house, and convert the media with a router and drop copper Ethernet to a demarcation in your home).

You could also check with CenturyLink if you can use your own router instead of a modem if the line is Ethernet into the house - you just will need your PPPoE Username/Password for this to work. This can save you the hassle of getting a modem and worrying about setting it up in bridge mode.
Click to expand...


For the OP I would stay away from that technicolor. He would be paying for features that wouldn't apply to him like voip/hpna/etc. It would be able to support bonded service but from the looks of it that option isn't available. If you're truly trying to load balance two lines I would just stick with a basic dsl modem and bypass any modem/router combo device to avoid having to try to run their equipment in bridge mode(which half the time isn't really even bridge mode).

You would need a modem that supports up to ADSL2 plus. It would be nicer if it also supported vdsl but if you're only able to get 8/1 you're pretty much guaranteed to be on a flavor of ADSL. Buy two of these and call it a day:

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-ADSL2-Ethernet-Router-TD-8816/dp/B0034JSYZ2/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1496202406&sr=1-4&keywords=dsl+modem&th=1

you can also get this one used for dirt cheap too:

https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-Broa...UTF8&qid=1496204487&sr=1-3&keywords=dsl+modem


As long as you get your pppoe info it'll work fine. You could always wait for the tech to install your service, then either ask him what version of adsl it's running or log into their equipment and it'll tell you exactly what adsl mode and protocol it's running in.
 
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I ordered the netgear modems. I'll update after installation.
 
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