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Evandro
Evandro's stats
- Review count1
- Helpfulness votes41
- First reviewJuly 2, 2012
- Last reviewJuly 2, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3
- Review comment count2
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentJuly 9, 2012
- Last review commentJuly 27, 2012
- Featured review comments0
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Evandro's Reviews
Enjoy a fast connection to the Internet with this modem that is compatible with most DSL providers and features a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN port for easy connectivity. Firewall capability provides a secure connection to keep your data safe.
Customer Rating
3
Many caveats
on July 2, 2012
Posted by: Evandro
from Austin, TX
I use it in...:Large home
I assumed that this modem was just that, a modem. Alas, it's a modem/router, so unless it replaces such a device, it won't work out of the box, though the start up instructions failed to mention the different possible scenarios.
I actually think that this is the reason why so many reviews here were about a frustrating experience which support was clueless about. So, be warned.
My setup was a plain Speedstream modem, which did last some 8 years, but started to drop the connection from once a week to twice a day, and downstream from it I have a WiFi router.. AT&T stated that the circuit was alright and suggested that the old modem might be the culprit for slowdowns every now and then and dropped connection. I can't say that I totally bought it, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and started looking for a modem. Having found out that a store near me had one, I decided to give it a try, though $55 is not exactly cheap change.
The start up instructions leaflet has a diagram that reproduces my setup. So I figured that this modem was like the old Speedstream, just a modem. However, it didn't work immediately. Reading further the start up instructions, I noticed the instructions about logging in and set up, so I tried connecting the Netgear modem directly to a computer using the supplied Ethernet cable and tried to log in. To my surprise, that's when I discovered that it's actually a modem/router and it was the device that wanted to authenticate the DSL connection, though no hint was given in the instructions. Digging through its configuration menus, I found one that allowed me to configure the Netgear modem as merely as modem and to turn off all of its router features. Then, after connecting it directly to my WiFi router, which was already configured to authenticate the DSL connection, everything worked as usual.
I noticed another configuration option that might have allowed the Netgear modem to take the PPPoE authentication from another router to go through, but I didn't try it and can't tell whether it would have worked with my set up. And if it would, Netgear should make it the default, because it isn't.
So far, after merely a day using it, it's been fine. I also grew used to getting 75% the nominal DSL speed, but, after replacing the Speedstream modem with this Netggear modem, it's now up to 85%, both up and down links. The slightly better speed from before has been consistent. I'll keep monitoring if it drops the connection, which it hasn't since it was installed.
Netgear could have done a better job explaining what this modem can do and what to do in different setups and improve the experience out of the box.
What's great about it: ADSL2+ compatibility
What's not so great: Poor start up instructions
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
3
Performance
4
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+39points
41of 43voted this as helpful.
Evandro's Review Comments
Enjoy a fast connection to the Internet with this modem that is compatible with most DSL providers and features a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN port for easy connectivity. Firewall capability provides a secure connection to keep your data safe.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Many caveats
By Evandro
from Austin, TX
I assumed that this modem was just that, a modem. Alas, it's a modem/router, so unless it replaces such a device, it won't work out of the box, though the start up instructions failed to mention the different possible scenarios.
I actually think that this is the reason why so many reviews here were about a frustrating experience which support was clueless about. So, be warned.
My setup was a plain Speedstream modem, which did last some 8 years, but started to drop the connection from once a week to twice a day, and downstream from it I have a WiFi router.. AT&T stated that the circuit was alright and suggested that the old modem might be the culprit for slowdowns every now and then and dropped connection. I can't say that I totally bought it, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and started looking for a modem. Having found out that a store near me had one, I decided to give it a try, though $55 is not exactly cheap change.
The start up instructions leaflet has a diagram that reproduces my setup. So I figured that this modem was like the old Speedstream, just a modem. However, it didn't work immediately. Reading further the start up instructions, I noticed the instructions about logging in and set up, so I tried connecting the Netgear modem directly to a computer using the supplied Ethernet cable and tried to log in. To my surprise, that's when I discovered that it's actually a modem/router and it was the device that wanted to authenticate the DSL connection, though no hint was given in the instructions. Digging through its configuration menus, I found one that allowed me to configure the Netgear modem as merely as modem and to turn off all of its router features. Then, after connecting it directly to my WiFi router, which was already configured to authenticate the DSL connection, everything worked as usual.
I noticed another configuration option that might have allowed the Netgear modem to take the PPPoE authentication from another router to go through, but I didn't try it and can't tell whether it would have worked with my set up. And if it would, Netgear should make it the default, because it isn't.
So far, after merely a day using it, it's been fine. I also grew used to getting 75% the nominal DSL speed, but, after replacing the Speedstream modem with this Netggear modem, it's now up to 85%, both up and down links. The slightly better speed from before has been consistent. I'll keep monitoring if it drops the connection, which it hasn't since it was installed.
Netgear could have done a better job explaining what this modem can do and what to do in different setups and improve the experience out of the box.
Evandro
Austin, TX
Week #1
July 9, 2012
The modem kept the connection on for a whole week now. Before, in a week the connection was dropped about everyday, retaining the connection for about 3 days or dropping it up to 3 times on the same day.
I had to reboot the router - not this modem - yesterday evening, so I got a new WAN address because of it and I'll reset the on-time to today after a week with a healthy connection.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Enjoy a fast connection to the Internet with this modem that is compatible with most DSL providers and features a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN port for easy connectivity. Firewall capability provides a secure connection to keep your data safe.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Many caveats
By Evandro
from Austin, TX
I assumed that this modem was just that, a modem. Alas, it's a modem/router, so unless it replaces such a device, it won't work out of the box, though the start up instructions failed to mention the different possible scenarios.
I actually think that this is the reason why so many reviews here were about a frustrating experience which support was clueless about. So, be warned.
My setup was a plain Speedstream modem, which did last some 8 years, but started to drop the connection from once a week to twice a day, and downstream from it I have a WiFi router.. AT&T stated that the circuit was alright and suggested that the old modem might be the culprit for slowdowns every now and then and dropped connection. I can't say that I totally bought it, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and started looking for a modem. Having found out that a store near me had one, I decided to give it a try, though $55 is not exactly cheap change.
The start up instructions leaflet has a diagram that reproduces my setup. So I figured that this modem was like the old Speedstream, just a modem. However, it didn't work immediately. Reading further the start up instructions, I noticed the instructions about logging in and set up, so I tried connecting the Netgear modem directly to a computer using the supplied Ethernet cable and tried to log in. To my surprise, that's when I discovered that it's actually a modem/router and it was the device that wanted to authenticate the DSL connection, though no hint was given in the instructions. Digging through its configuration menus, I found one that allowed me to configure the Netgear modem as merely as modem and to turn off all of its router features. Then, after connecting it directly to my WiFi router, which was already configured to authenticate the DSL connection, everything worked as usual.
I noticed another configuration option that might have allowed the Netgear modem to take the PPPoE authentication from another router to go through, but I didn't try it and can't tell whether it would have worked with my set up. And if it would, Netgear should make it the default, because it isn't.
So far, after merely a day using it, it's been fine. I also grew used to getting 75% the nominal DSL speed, but, after replacing the Speedstream modem with this Netggear modem, it's now up to 85%, both up and down links. The slightly better speed from before has been consistent. I'll keep monitoring if it drops the connection, which it hasn't since it was installed.
Netgear could have done a better job explaining what this modem can do and what to do in different setups and improve the experience out of the box.
Evandro
Austin, TX
Week #3
July 27, 2012
After a couple of weeks without ever dropping the connection, I'm pretty happy with this modem. It did solve the connection issues I was having with the old modem.
If only the instructions and the manual were better written...
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
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