[ILUG] Netopia ADSL modem

[Aine Douglas]

On 8/27/06, Robert Sweetnam <linux at sweetnam.eu> wrote:
> Timothy Murphy wrote:
> > Have there been any problems with Eircom's Netopia ADSL modems?

Its the only model of DSL router that I've failed to get port
forwarding working with, but that could be me and not the router.

> > I was sent one a couple of years ago by Eircom without any explanation,
> > but as the Alcatel modem they supplied me with originally
> > was (and is) still working perfectly, I didn't do anything with it.

I believe the alcatel was unable to properly take advantage of the
speed upgrades at the exchange, and anyone who complained was sent the
netopia. That could have been resolved with a new driver for the
alcatel but since Eircom made a decision to discontinue support for
the alcatel, they just didn't go there and upgraded the modem to the
router instead.

> > Anyway, I found it in a cupboard today,
> > and tried substituting it for the Alcatel modem,
> > but it didn't seem to work under Linux,
> > although it did work under Windows XP.

Probably better off using it through the ethernet interface instead of
the USB, you should have no issues there.

> > Are any ILUGgers using this modem under Linux?
> > (My modem is a Netopia Cayman model 3341-EIR.)
> >
> Apologies in advance for the obvious but:
>
> "If it ain't broke don't fix it!",
> "Why change for changes' sake?"

Because if you switch from a USB modem to an ethernet router, you do
get an extra layer of firewall, and because those netopias appear to
never require a powercycle unlike other brands in the marketplace.

> No problems with the Netopias. At leatst that I have come across.
> Irregardless of client OS.

Plus, used in ethernet mode they don't require drivers unlike the alcatel.

> Also, pretty much anyone using eircom broadband will have one.

And Eircom don't actually support the Alcatel one anymore and haven't
done for a long time, so you're on your own in terms of support unless
you switch to the netopia.

Aine.