[Sheflug] ADSL SP and hardware recommendations (Slightly OT but it is to connect my Linux box to the net!)

["Chris Johnson" <chris [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Post September 6th when .5Mbps adsl line length limitations are removed by
BT I'm hoping to jump on the broadband train.  I'm with Plusnet at the
moment and their broadband connections start from as little as Ł14.99 per
month (1GB limit) but they want a Ł60 activation fee!

Anybody else found a good ISP that offers similar or better monthly rates
with a lower or 0 activation fee?

Also on ADSL hardware:  I'd like to keep it all in one to minimise on wall
sockets.  So far it seems to be a toss up between netgear DG834 and Ebuyer
special.  Both have 4 port 10/100 switch, built in dsl modem and firewall
and NAT but there are all sorts of (amateur) reviews on the site that slag
both off for not supporting SPI for the firewall and not supporting upnp etc
etc. Should I be worried?  Anybody got any recommendations on which one (not
limited to the above) to go for.  I'm not currently bothered about it having
wireless as I'll probably buy that separately so I can a) switch it off
independently of the rest of the kit and b) position if for best reception
rather than near the phone socket.

Any help appreciated as I've tried trawling through the ADSL guide lists and
not come up with much

Thanks



Chris Johnson
(No not that one, the other one!)
(running SUSE 9, 512MB PIII 600 (ish))

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