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

[dsample.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they tell you to put the ADSL modem as close to the wall outlet as possible, and use as short a phone cord as you can. They also frown on using splitters, if you want to plug a phone into the same socket. You're also going to need to get filters for any other phones you've got plugged into your wall. The modem will likely come with one, but you'll need others if you have more than one phone.

My computer room doesn't have a phone line, so I've got my ADSL modem in another room, with a network cable running from it to my router.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

No help from me - though I roughly agree with the previous poster. However I should say I have been with Be for a few years now and found them to be good.

[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]

If I'm reading the Be setup info properly they supply two filters.

The splitter thing isn't an insoluble problem - I have two phones but I take 95% of calls on the one in my work room, I can use the extension cable to that without a splitter if I stop using the one in the hall. What I might do is look at getting a DECT wireless phone/answering machine with two or three handsets.

[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.

[pauldormer.livejournal.com]

I've been running an ADSL modem (from Supanet) on a phone extension cord for some years now. Not given me any trouble that I can tell.

The phone socket is downstairs. Modem is next to my computer upstairs.

Did have problems with getting the filter in the right place.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

It certainly won't hurt to try it before I start drilling holes etc.

[pauldormer.livejournal.com]

Even more useful, I found you can get phone extension cords that are very thin and are adhesive backed. I run it up the skirting board up the stairs, round the bathroom door skylight and down to the skirting board in the computer room. Saves having to staple it into position.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Mine takes a weird route under the carpet in my sitting room, through a hole in the wall originally intended for a radiator pipe, then behind bookshelves in my workroom - I laid it down before the sitting room was carpeted.

[history-monk.livejournal.com]

Be provided two filters for my setup, and for the one I rigged for Mum. Both of those are on extension sockets for convenience, and work fine.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Sorry - when I say "originally intended for a radiator pipe I actually mean "currently occupied by a radiator pipe, two speaker cables, the phone line and the network feed to the PC next to the TV."

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

I have Be internet, very happy with them. I run an extension cable from the front to back of the house, 10m of cable to get to the modem, and have no problems.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks!