Linksys ADSL2 Modem with USB & Ethernet ADSL2MUE

...combination.

But Linksys have gone one further and included a USB interface for people how do wish to use USB, this is nice to have but I would recommend you only use the Ethernet Interface because it is better.

The biggest selling point is its ability to support up to ADSL2+ connections, so that includes normal ADSL and ADSL2. In the UK ADSL2 is only just being trialed but it will come to everybody and when it does ...
...anything less than that from Linksys which are a division of Cisco Systems which produce the network appliances for large networks and charge for it.

On the USB side of things, you install the drivers, plug the modem in, put your details in and off you go. It is a simple as that, I had very little problems with it on my Windows XP computer, however I couldn't find any drivers for Linux etc. which means the USB interface isn't much ... more

This review is to put the right all the wrong reviews that I have read across the internet as it seems the main problem that people have had with this product is that they don't understand how to use it.

Anyway, the review. The reason why I bought this modem was because I was looking for an Ethernet Modem and wanted something that would last me a long time, the ADSL2MUE fits the bill perfectly and has some extra features, although I probably won't be using these.

Ethernet Modems are quite hard to find in the UK, but they are far superior to USB Modems in all areas, it is because USB Modems are cheaper than Ethernet that ISPs supply them with their broadband packages. The Advantages over USB is that you don't require any drivers, so that means that less system resources are used up controlling the device and also that it will work with any Operating System that can initiate a PPPoE comunication with it. So this means it will work with Windows, Mac, Linux and Unix or any other operating systems. I have mine working with my m0n0wall router and it is an excellent combination.

But Linksys have gone one further and included a USB interface for people how do wish to use USB, this is nice to have but I would recommend you only use the Ethernet Interface because it is better.

The biggest selling point is its ability to support up to ADSL2+ connections, so that includes normal ADSL and ADSL2. In the UK ADSL2 is only just being trialed but it will come to everybody and when it does if you have this you will be ready to take advantage of it. So maybe in a Year or two you will be enjoying the Internet at 25Mbps.

So enought about what its supposed to do, does it do it well? The answer of course is yes. I wouldn't expect anything less than that from Linksys which are a division of Cisco Systems which produce the network appliances for large networks and charge for it.

On the USB side of things, you install the drivers, plug the modem in, put your details in and off you go. It is a simple as that, I had very little problems with it on my Windows XP computer, however I couldn't find any drivers for Linux etc. which means the USB interface isn't much use to me, but thats not why I bought it.

With the Ethernet Inteface you have two methods of making the connections. You can allow the Modem to make the dialing and connection, or you computer/router can do the dialing and connection. This is where many people get frustrated and get the wrong idea of the product and complain about it.

Allowing the modem to make the connection is a bad idea, this is because it will act as a very limited router by itself. By limiting I mean that it has only a few features that you can play with and most importantly no port forwarding. This means that you will not be able to accept incoming connection from programs, eg, P2P software. I wouldn't recommend using this setting at all at the moment, Linksys are doing new firmware which will add more functionality but that isn't here yet.

The second method of using the Ethernet is with using the host computer/router for dialing, this will make that computer the computer the internet will see and therefore be able to accept incoming connections. I have mine set up with a m0n0wall router which then provides the internet to my LAN, port forwarding etc. is supported by the router and the Modem only acts as an interface to the internet.

To gain access to the modem using the Ethernet, you plug the ethernet into your network and recieve an IP from the Modem, this is because as standard the modem is in limited Router mode. You then browse using your favouritre Internet Browser to 192.168.1.1, its default IP, and then make any changes you need to its settings. Its worth noting that if you use it in Modem Bridging, allowing the host computer to dial then it turns off the web interface and no longer has that IP. If you need access to it again, press the reset button on the back of the box.

The box is plastic but it is a high-quality plastic and feels very well made, the looks are ok, I prefer my Netgear Buisness products because they are in a Blue Steel Case rather than plastic. 5 LEDs are at the front showing activity on the various interfaces and power. There is also a power switch on the back as well as the reset button, RJ45 (ethernet), RJ11 (phone), USB (B socket, like ones on printers) and the DC jack in. All are clearly labelled and the manual is very good in explaining how to use the Modem in all of its modes.

Supplied with the Modem is a Microfilter, Cat5e Network Cable, RJ11 to RJ11 Cable and the PSU which is in the wall socket. So everything you will need to use the Modem in the way that you desire to. There is the Manual, CD and Details on the free technical service inside the box as well.

Its worth nothing that it is designed to stack with some of Linksys's other products but be warned that they can get very hot and it is recommend that you don't stack them just in case.

For the more technical readers the software run by the Modem is OpenSource and the Modem is based on the AR7 achitecture and OpenWRT will run on the Modem if you like to hack you hardware. I haven't tried anything with it but details and information are readily available.

In conclusion this is an excellent product, and I hope that I have set the record straight now with what the product can and can't do as many reviews I have read before buying the product didn't understand the product or how to use it. I'm certianly looking forward to when I here that I can recieve ADSL2 from my exchange and will be able to upgrade straight away. 

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