ADSL modems

[ffutures]

I'm going to go for one of the Be ADSL services, but I have no experience of ADSL modems.

All of my network cables are currently set up for a cable modem and router in my work room, but that isn't where the phone line comes in - that's in the hall about 25 ft away. There isn't a mains socket there, though there's one just the other side of the wall so that isn't an insurmountable problem.

Am I right to think that I'll have to put the ADSL modem near the phone socket, rather than using the extension phone cable I already have to get it in here?

Not a huge problem either way, if I put the router in the hall I can run a network cable into this room and use a switch in here - might even improve wireless reception around the flat. It just affects what cables etc. I'll need to get.

Comments

[nojay.livejournal.com]

Most (if not all) ADSL providers provide combined router/modems these days rather than simple modems. Be give you a "free" 4-port wireless-enabled router/modem when you sign up. If you can, position the router close to the phone socket; the router is powered by a wallwart PSU and it's better to run a power cable to the router than string a long signal cable from the phone socket.

ADSL overlays your phone voice signal with modulated RF and a filter is needed to isolate that RF signal from the handset. You connect the router/modem directly to the phone line and filter the handset. If you have any phone extensions then they need to be on the far side of a filter too. The better the filter the better the ADSL connection, generally as otherwise the phone can interfere with the data stream but a cheap filter is usually good enough. If you have an iffy phone connection then an expensive but top-quality filter will keep the ADSL connection speed up. The best filters replace the front plate of your phone socket and cost about 15 to 20 quid.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

This is about what I thought. Sounds like I'd be best off putting the Be modem / router in the hall and running a cable to a switch in here.