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dfunked's avatar
dfunked
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May 28, 2019
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AX router with built in VDSL?

Howdy   It's time to upgrade my router and I've almost settled on either an AX8 or an AX12. Ideally I want a router with a built in VDSL modem which neither of these obviously have, so just checkin...
  • michaelkenward's avatar
    May 29, 2019

    dfunked wrote:

     

    Not the end of the world, as I still have a BT supplied modem that I could use, but I'd prefer to keep things tidy with a single device...


    First, Netgear does not talk about forthcoming products. Probably to keep the competition in the dark.

     

    Second, it is generally reckoned that having a combined modem/router is less than optimal.

     

    There are several reasons for this. The first is that you will get a limited range of devices. DSL is not used everywhere. If anything it is a dying technology, as even BT threatens that we will get fibre one day. Optical and cable are already more widely used in some countries. So there is a smaller market for DSL modem/routers.

     

    The same limited range argument applies to cable modem/routers.

     

    There are many more routers to choose from than either DSL or cable modem/routers.

     

    Another reason for using two devices is that Netgear, and probably other makers, seem to put more effort into keeping routers up to date. So they new firmware, and the security updates they deliver, before modem/routers.

     

    I had a D6400 modem/router on BT Internet. Then I put it into modem-only mode because I acquired an R7800 router. That turned out to be a bad idea because after power cuts the D6400 was too slow to get an Internet connection and left the R7800 stranded with nothing connected to the Internet.

     

    So I bought a DM200. This is a small and inexpensive modem that sits nicely in front of an array of routers, including Orbi stuff in AP, and various Arlo hubs.

     


    dfunked wrote:

     

    Not the end of the world, as I still have a BT supplied modem that I could use, but I'd prefer to keep things tidy with a single device...


    Good luck with that move. The last time I looked BT's modem/routers were near on impossible to put into modem-only mode. So you have to jump through various hoops to use one in front of a router. I have at least one BT modem still in its shrink wrap. Horrible piece of technology.