Netgear DM602 ADSL-Modem : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

Author's product rating:

Speed	Fast
Reliability	Good
Ease of Installation	Good - quick to install
Ease of use	Very easy
Value For Money	Good

Advantages:	small, cheap, fast
Disadvantages:	gets hot, not as cheap as USB only modems

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

So this is the device needed to get the ADSL line working but how well does it work?

Appearance
==========
The first thing I noticed about this model is the colour of it. Its silver and this gives it a modern appeal. Its small and rather thin. It is only 2.8cm x 17.5cm x 11.8cm so makes it a compact modem.
It is also light and weights in at 600 grams. When the modem is switched on, it has yello LEDs that light up to show if the power is on, USB, ethernet and if the ADSL line is there.

System Requirements
==================

ADSL Internet service from BT and your chosen ISP. I use Nildram.
Ethernet (netowrk) or USB connection on your PC
Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Mac
Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape 4.7 or better - Tthis is so you can access the configuration menu.

Box Contents
===========

DM602 ADSL Modem (single ethernet port so not a hub or a switch)
Power Adapter to run the modem off UK mains.
Verticle stand
Cables: 3m Ethernet Cat5 cable (network cabe), 2m USB cable and telephone Cable
Resource CD-ROM
QuickInstallation Guide
Warranty and registration and support Information cards
ADSL microfilter

You can either connect the modem to the USB port on your computer or you can use it as a network device. I have it plugged into a Linux Debian firewall by using ethernet and the computer works as the router. Many people will not have that find of setup so the modem canb e set to do the routing as well.
The modem can support up to 8 Mbps downstream and 800 Kbps upstream.
As the modem has ethernet functionality, it makes this modem able to work with most operating systems so the user is not limited to only Windows like many USB only modems. Getting USB to work on Linux isnt a very easy thing to do in some cases so going for ehternet is ideal for non-Windows users.

Maintenance:
===========
It is quite easy to upgrade the firmware on this modem. By upgrading it, you can ensure you have the latest software running on the modem. You can do this by downloading the firmware off Netgear's website and applying it using a web browser to access the modem's configuration system.

Price:
=====
I brought my modem for around £70 online in October 2003. but I have seen it around the £60 price range.
It is a well priced modem for having ethernet.

I was actually advised to get this modem by the guy who tested it to ensure it worked on BT's telephone intrastructure so it must be good! I do not know all the technical stuff of how a modem works but it seems to reform well. It does get hot being on permanently but that is to be expected. It is sitting on top of my tower case firewall PC but lifted up at the front by the front plate of the case and this really helps it keep cooler with the air going underneath. I could have used the verical stand but I knew it would be knocked over. Its probably more suited for being put on a shelf out of the way.
Excellent modem!