Efficient Networks SpeadStream DSL modem.

Carlo_f1 · Post by **Carlo_f1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 1:06 pm

Thanks for your reply, what kind of
download speeds do you get on average.?

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 1:15 pm

Originally posted by Carlo_f1:
Thanks for your reply, what kind of
download speeds do you get on average.?

The performance is in the discretion of your provider, not the modem. A DSL modem is a DSL modem. What are your caps and actual speeds?

[ 03-22-2001: Message edited by: glc1 ]

Carlo_f1 · Post by **Carlo_f1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 3:49 pm

Has anyone heard of a firewall called ZoneAlarm, and if so is it good?

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 4:16 pm

Originally posted by Carlo_f1:
Has anyone heard of a firewall called ZoneAlarm, and if so is it good?

From what I've heard, it's a great firewall.

dannjr · Post by **dannjr** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 5:23 pm

Zone Alarm is a great Firewall
But now theres a new free one that has been around for a while called Tini softs look on the main page in the articals on speedguides main page I D/L last night and gave it a try on my LAN tryed to bang my way past the fire wall and couldn't yet..

bleach · Post by **bleach** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 6:09 pm

depending on what model you have, you can apply a special firmware upgrade to the dsl modem and turn it into a router, so you can unload all that pppoe bloatware off your system

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 7:52 pm

Originally posted by bleach:
depending on what model you have, you can apply a special firmware upgrade to the dsl modem and turn it into a router, so you can unload all that pppoe bloatware off your system

Or just get a consumer router, such as the Netgear RT314.

dannjr · Post by **dannjr** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 8:04 pm

Originally posted by bleach:
depending on what model you have, you can apply a special firmware upgrade to the dsl modem and turn it into a router, so you can unload all that pppoe bloatware off your system

Yes if its a 5260 with the right tags on the bottem basically saying its a 5660 then it can be turned into a router..
I have one there are hassels doing it.. Personally I feal a good consumer router is better, then the hassel of doing the Hack. Even the persons that came up with the hack firmware say its a hack..
Its not all that boy you better not mess with filters either unless you know what your doing..
Just my opinion. but if you need to know go do a search at DSLR on it..

bleach · Post by **bleach** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 9:11 pm

why dump $150 on a router when you can get it for free?

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 9:45 pm

Originally posted by bleach:
why dump $150 on a router when you can get it for free?

Consumer routers are far better than any hack will be. Also, some come with built-in hubs (or switches) for $150 or less. Does the DSL modem have a built-in hub or switch?

Carlo_f1 · Post by **Carlo_f1** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 12:39 am

I just got DSL thru Bell Sympatico,
they provided me with Efficient Networks SpeadStream DSL modem. So far, so good.
Does anybody have coments on this modem?

Brgds//Carlo

Thorazine · Post by **Thorazine** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 12:47 am

I have the 5260 model which is really a bridge. I can't complain. It has never given me any problems.

bleach · Post by **bleach** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 6:55 am

nope, that's why i just attatched a cheapie 4 port hub to it's one port, and i found the features that came with the speedstream just as good as other routers, if not better

Carlo_f1 · Post by **Carlo_f1** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 8:33 am

I also have an Alcatel Speedtouch modem,
how can I put it to good use having already
the SpeedStream connected?

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 12:14 am

Originally posted by bleach:
nope, that's why i just attatched a cheapie 4 port hub to it's one port,

A lot of the consumer routers actually come w/ switches built-in, which are much better than a hub.

Originally posted by bleach:
and i found the features that came with the speedstream just as good as other routers, if not better

Have you used any consumer routers?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 6:58 am

I disagree with the statement that a DSL modem is a DSL modem. Just as with analog modems, video cards, sound cards, memory, hubs, switches, routers, network cards, there are many different brands spanning a broad range of performance. I have the little speedstream, would have liked to get a nicer one but at the time was on a budget, and took this freebie. Do you think ISPs give away top quality, top performance modems (bridges)? It gets the job done though, no complaints with it. I found a site that had done performance/throughput comparisons with different modems, can't remember it for the life of me. The SpeedStream was middle of the pack.

And the routing options of a real router far exceed the capabilities of the "unlock the router" hack on the SpeedStream.

As to firewalls, you zip right past some good writeups on firewalls when you hit this websites home page, read it. Tiny's Personal Firewall is now free, and has always been written up as one of the best.

[ 03-24-2001: Message edited by: YeOldeStonecat ]

bleach · Post by **bleach** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 7:40 am

i've seen everything that comes along with the linksys and other routers, and the speedstream is missing nothing.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 5:17 pm

I'm talking about a real SOHO router, like a Netopia. Having installed about 20+ Linky networks, some NetGear networks, several RampNetworks WebRamp networks, a D-Link network three 3COM networks, I've gotten a good idea about them.

[ 03-24-2001: Message edited by: YeOldeStonecat ]

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 5:22 pm

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat:
I found a site that had done performance/throughput comparisons with different modems, can't remember it for the life of me.

The throughput specs are usless, as ISP caps are much lower.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 9:05 pm

Try the caps will help even things out, but as with all components, there are varying degrees of performance/quality withing the different makes/types of DLS modems out there now.

I'm one who believes in quality, and you get what you pay for. Else I'd have a Cyrix CPU and a Winmodem or something aweful like that.

speed _demon · Post by **speed _demon** » Mon Mar 26, 2001 12:01 am

I had the same dsl modem SpeedStream, it never gave me any problems had it for a year and it always ran smooth, never had problems with my connection, now I have gone to cable and use a Toshiba modem Time Warner Road Runner Cable, it's faster then the sdsl I had and half the price, if you just incase need a backup modem I'll sell you mine, cya.