smlunatick said:
It seems that having a separate router and a separate broadband
modem
the best flexibility. With a combined modem / router unit, if
you
decide to change broadband service, update to a different
wireless
network signal (change from 11g to 11n) or your ISP change the
service
technology, then combined unit will have the be replaced. Most
ISP
would sell the combined modem / router units at a higher price
than
the standard broadband router.
Also, if your ISP would provide a router/modem, then you will
probably
be restricted on the "changes" to settings you can do. A lot
of ISPs
lock their "service" unit settings because just one setting can
/
will / may affect the service access.
Yes. Some broadband providers in the UK only supply combined
modem/routers that ARE tied to one service only.
I believe the Sky broadband modem/router is a re-badged Netgear
model, with specially designed firmware. A Sky subscriber must
use the designated hardware for his broadband connection - and if
he/she switches to a different service provider, he will not be
able to configure the modem to work with any other service.
The Thomson TG585 ADSL2+ combined Modem/Router is sold by Tiscali
(UK) - and is supplied free of charge to new subscribers. From
the user's viewpoint, this equipment has the major advantage that
the installation disk will configure the hardware automatically
with the correct settings for the Tiscali network.
This particular modem/router is not tied to one network, so it
can be configured to work with other services. The gateway URL
is 192.162.1.1 and the user must press a button to restore the
factory settings. Then, he can use a web browser to access the
configuration menu at 192.168.1.254. The login name for the
configuration menu is "Administrator". I can't remember whether
the login password field is empty. If not, the password is
printed on the box.
Most other brands of modem/ router should work satisfactorily
with Tiscali broadband. Netgear equipment works OK, but I
couldn't persuade a Buffalo router/modem to work with my
daughter's Tiscali broadband service - although it connects
perfectly to TalkTalk broadband at my home.