Topic: Purchasing ADSL Modem

[Brett Knuchel]

At my workplace we are switching from Dialup to ADSL.  Our ISP offers two different ADSL modems - the Netcomm 1200 (which is a USB modem and as I understand it, not suitable for SME Server) and the Netcomm 1300 (Ethernet modem - but my understanding is that this modem is also a router and therefore would cause hassles with SME Server).

The other option is to purchase our own ADSL modem.  As far as I can pick up from the forums our best bet is an Ethernet modem without a router.  Can someone confirm this is the case.  If so, does anyone have any suggestions for the Australian market.

I think this is only a feature of ADSL modem/routers but I was wondering if there are any Ethernet ADSL modems that can do bandwidth throttling by port.  Basically the issue is that we want to be able to limit bandwidth on outgoing emails so that people can still use the web whilst large emails are going out. (Please let me know if this can be done via software).

[Dean Mumby]

normally the ethernet modems are routers but can also function as a dumb device(modem) you end up with eth0 , eth1, ppp0

Dean

[Graeme Fleming]

Here in Perth I use Netgear routers infront of SME all the time - just open the ports you need on the router to allow the server to function and away you go (usually just SSH, POP3, SMTP, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS).

I use the DG814 router with inbuilt ADSL modem) mostly (early firmwares had VPN issues).  Personally I use an FR328 that doesn't have the inbuilt ADSL modem (I have an Alcatel Speedtouch Home) but does have a serial port to allow me to have analog modem fail over if the ADSL drops out without having to change anything on the SME box.

The router eliminates a lot of rubbish on the public Internet even touching the SME box.

HTH

[John Crisp]

I run a couple of Draytek Vigor 2600 modem/routers and just about to install a third (Thinks - maybe I should buy some shares)

Not sure if they have bandwidth throttling but have hods of options and VPN goes straight through without problems.

Had a 4 port Netgear DM something which was OK, but the web interface was extremely slow, and it had problems with VPN passthrough.

Looks like you can get one out there, so have a read.

Best regards,

John

[SloopJohnB]

Use the ethernet based modem. Practically every connection to an ISP is routed from somewhere. It it by far easier to configure IP settings, than it is to monkey-around with drivers!

Most of the PPPoA DSL/modem/gateway/router's allow for a static pathway out to the net (and static back in). But many of these devices now come equipped with NAT capabilities, port forwarding, firewalls, VPN, and so-on.

So get an experienced tech from your ISP to make the DSL modem changes (turning all features off, and having regular static connections) as needed (COVAD will do some of this over-the-phone for free), configure your SME server for Gateway mode, acting as DHCP server, and you should be all set.

Afterwards your only network config issues should be contained within your SME server, switch, clients, and whatever else...

As far as port throttling goes, you should just get a 3com, Cisco, or similar MANAGED workgroup switch, most of these today will allow for bandwidth control.

SloopJohnB

[Paul Nesbit]

Brett Knuchel wrote:
> [...]
> was wondering if there are any Ethernet ADSL modems that can
> do bandwidth throttling by port.  Basically the issue is that
> we want to be able to limit bandwidth on outgoing emails so
> that people can still use the web whilst large emails are
> going out. (Please let me know if this can be done via
> software).

Throttling the amount of concurrent delivery attempts made by Qmail willl be simpler and easier to do than throttling b/w.  I believe it can be tuned with a db parameter in 6.0b3, and if not a custom template can be used.  See qmail's remote concurrency option.

Don't forget that all local clients must use the servers' SMTP server for this to have any affect.  6.0b3 proxies all SMTP through the server by default, regardless of client config.

  Paul