rdcinhou3
join:2004-08-31
Houston, TX
1 edit | Review of Netgear DGN2000 ADSL/Wireless-N modem/router
My old 2WIRE 1000SW was exhibiting some signs of senility so I began shopping around for a new DSL modem.
I examined quite a few and put in an order online for an AT&T re-branded commercial DSL modem but luckily it got back-ordered and then cancelled by the retailer otherwise I would not have found the Netgear DGN2000.
Here are the specs: »kbserver.netgear.com/datasheets/···ly08.pdf
I had only found two user reviews (none on this board) and both were by the same person and identically positive.
Choosing a brick & mortar electronics superstore (so I could return it if it didn't work so well), I went and got one.
Net results....VERY POSITIVE.
This modem/router outperforms the Speedstreams and 2WIREs that I'd had and is very solid. The installation went in quickly and flawlessly (I use AT&T Southwest PPPoE).
It's very small and compact taking up very little space.
It also has BUTTONS to make some things easy...
a. A POWER button to turn the unit off--when's the last time you saw one of those!
b. A Wireless on/off button (convenient when you get paranoid about that car parked in front of your house in the middle of the night)
c. A WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) button for quickly programming in all of your wireless devices that support WPS.
Some warts, though....
1. The modem runs a bit HOT (as do all modems I suppose) so I'm thinking of making a heat-sink platform to mount it on maybe with a little muffin fan.
2. The web-based interface is very complete, *BUT* it uses FRAMES. On a large hi-resolution screen, it may not be such a problem, but I often do a little admin checking with my Nokia N800 Internet Tablet which is only 800x600. Scrolling with a stylus is a pain. Maybe they can fix this (if Netgear is listening?) in the next release of the firmware (currently still in first release).
3. Range-wise my signal strength is just a hair less than my Linksys MIMO WiFi router was but so far I have not seen any performance problems anywhere in my two-story house. When the new Wireless-N devices start coming out, this will be less of a problem as the new standard promises 15X range.
In short, I think you'd be pleased with this modem/router especially since it "future-proofs" your home installation with its support of Wireless-N, ADSL2+ and WPS. |
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bardly
@ipns.com
|  I've been trying to put a DGN2000 into a configuration occupied until recently by three different machines.
When the ancient router died, I decided to simplify while I modernize, and get this 3-in-1 device.
I was put on guard when several places in documents and web sites did not include the DGN2000.
I was especially disappointed that the CD which serves as a setup guide did not correspond to this hardware. The reset button has been replaced by a power switch: not a bad idea, but any old doc which refers to pushing that factory reset button where it was on older models need to be updated. When I first pushed the putative reset button, the lights went out... and I thought it was clever to go back to the state of being off, just like it was at the store. The diagrams do not exactly show the hardware as delivered.
There were both misdirections to other models and missing info.
For example, under troubleshooting, the manual addresses solid-green internet light, and blinking-green internet light, but not RED, which differs from OFF. I guessed that it meant something was wrong, which was easily verified by an apparent lack of connectivity.
After a trip to the library (to access info on the internet! 8-) and some time on the phone with my ISP's support guy,
I still have not gotten the rather common configuration of being a webserver working properly.
To be fair, once I got the ability to look out at the internet, I found a document (DGN2000_RM_04Aug08.pdf) from NetGear which addresses this configuration.
Happily, my ISP support guy was able to guess a lot, and even tell me what some of the TLAs, AWFLs, and BAs mean.
(Hint to NetGear: a glossary can give semantics to the jargon)
The library's computers can see my website's home page, but I cannot see it from here.
That's a cute-, but rather unacceptable configuration.
I want to be able to test my site. 8-)
As far as I know, I did not request this "feature".
Maybe this thing works fast, and maybe there's a way to get it to do so, but my productivity is 0 so far.
If you happen to have set up a webserver behind the DGN2000 successfully, I'd appreciate some hints. |
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rdcinhou3
join:2004-08-31
Houston, TX
| No, I don't run a webserver behind my DGN2000.
I just have a few power-users that demand high uptime and speed.
I didn't notice errors in the documentation since I never had to consult it--the installation went in first time and everything on the screen was self-explanatory.
I kind of wish that it would show more diagnostic information like my old 2WIRE did.
You don't suppose that there is an internal "advanced" diagnostic interface do you? I did an internet search but didn't find anyone talking about one. |
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hdtvtechno22
join:2008-08-22
Chicago, IL
| reply to rdcinhou3
Great,, i was actually looking at this one at bestbuy just today..
Can someone post some screencaps of the firewall interface and secuirty settings.. and privacy interface..
with your personal settings grey out if you want for security reasons
Im just wondering to compare the firewall with the Linksys WRT300N router
which i like it as its very secure
--
Looking for Updated Hi-Def News? Check out the most popular site at http;//hdtvtechno.worldispnetwork.com |
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G_Ducat
@covad.net | reply to rdcinhou3
Glad to read your review as I am in the same position. I have an old DSL modem from ATT when I signed up years ago. I was looking at the Netgear DGN2000 but only saw one review saying that it did NOT work with Verizon DSL.
Glenn |
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rdcinhou3
join:2004-08-31
Houston, TX
| Mine worked well it seems with AT&T, but when I had their technician come out he said they would not "support" that modem and I had to change it before they would do anything with the line. I ended up changing to a Netopia 3347-02.
What burns me up is on the Netgear box it says "works with AT&T system".
I'll probably just use it as an access point for Wireless-N should I ever get any N-capable devices. Supposedly Broadcom just came out with a chipset that will enable N in mobile phones! |
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bapiow
join:2002-12-09
UK
| Just bought my Netgear DGN 2000.
So far so good, just one problem.
Laying the router flat the underneath got vey HOT. No legs clips to stand the router vertical are supplied with this model, as told by Netgear support.
Found some feet from my old dg router which solved the problem. cool running now.
Seems odd to that all the dg routers I have had in the past all came with feet. Netgear new about the heat problem that's why I was told to stand my old router vertical by Netgear.
Anyone else have heat problems laying this DGN flat? |
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rdcinhou3
join:2004-08-31
Houston, TX
| I have temporarily "retired" my DGN2000 as AT&T came in to do some service and refused to do any work until I had a modem/gateway on their support list. I upgraded to a Netopia 3347-02.
Back to the DGN2000...I used an infrared thermometer to look at what the surface temperatures of the modem were. I found a peak of 115 F on the upper rear surface just left of center. This is well below the rated operating temperature of 140 F.
I think the ommission of feet in this version was an economization measure, but sounds like it would be a nice "feature" to keep.
I'll probably be adding my DGN2000 back into my home network as my 3rd AP as soon as I start seeing Wireless-N devices being more common. |
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bapiow
join:2002-12-09
UK
1 edit | reply to bapiow
Keeping it cool
Sorry about the picture |
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sjw1
@btcentralplus.com
| A cool solution (sorry  )
I'm running a web server behind a DGN2000.
If I had a small complaint, the router doesn't seem to resolve the port look up table internally. Which is a pain when it comes to the website and the printer.
Do you have any advice please? |
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bapiow
join:2002-12-09
UK | Netgear tell me they are releasing a new firmware for the DGN2000, could help!! |
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sjw1
@bt.com | fantastic, thanks for the good news. |
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hdtvtechno22
join:2008-08-22
Chicago, IL
| reply to hdtvtechno22
said by hdtvtechno22  :Great,, i was actually looking at this one at bestbuy just today.. Can someone post some screencaps of the firewall interface and secuirty settings.. and privacy interface.. with your personal settings grey out if you want for security reasons Im just wondering to compare the firewall with the Linksys WRT300N router which i like it as its very secure anyone ? |
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rdcinhou3
join:2004-08-31
Houston, TX
| Since I "retired" mine I would have to bring it back online to get screen captures, *BUT* the online manual (»ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/DGN2···ug08.pdf ) has all of the information that you seek.
If you read my review above, you'll see that the screens that do come up are FRAMED, which means you have a lot of scrolling to get to some of the information (i.e. you can't see it all at once), which make screen captures a poor method to convey all of the information.
The dialog boxes in the manual however, appear to capture all of the information (displayed without the framing).
Enjoy! |
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GoBG
join:2004-02-27
| reply to rdcinhou3
Hardware mod: |
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Clippy
@epix.net
| reply to bapiow
I just got this device myself and I have more to add to the story of the vertical clips. I wasn't as lucky as the other user who had some old ones laying around. I had one other device that uses them, but I am still using it and it is standing vertically due to space restraints. I had to steal one of the clips from the other device and put just one on the front of each device. Not very stable, but that's not the point of my post. I sent Netgear an e-mail about this and asked if there was any way I could get a set of PLASTIC CLIPS. I was even willing to pay for them. The response was that they do not come with the unit I bought and they do not sell them, so there was no way they could get a set to me. I then called to get a person to actually tell this to me over the phone, just for principal, and they told me. Although, I don't think they understood because they told me to go to Staples and get the clips from them. I tried to explain that Staples will not have these clips as they are specific to Netgear products. Then he asked how he could get them to me if they do not sell them. I think he thought that Netgear does not HAVE them because they do not sell them.
I am going to go to Staples, buy a unit that has the clips, take the clips out and return it for a refund.
THEN, I am going to go send an e-mail to NETGEAR and tell them what I did. |
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bapiow
join:2002-12-09
UK
| Good for you.
Have sent my DGN2000 back for a replacement, getting to hot.
According to Netgear SUPPORT it should not get hot just warm.
Me thinks Netgear support don't know what they are talking about, people I have talked to and have this model are reporting the same problems.
Will give the replacement a go, if I get the same problems I will go for a full refund. |
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rdcinhou3
join:2004-08-31
Houston, TX
1 edit | I started another thread on this subject.
My old Speedstream modem were always running pretty "hot" so you kept them on their side for better ventilation.
My 2WIRE was always warm while it lasted.
When I got my Netgear DGN2000, I was surprised at how hot it felt while running and wondered if this was normal.
So....I measured the surface temperature on the upper and bottom sides of the unit while running. The hottest was 115 F on the top just slighly left of center (looking at the face) and about an inch from the rear.
This is within the 140 F max operating limit of the device, but a little hot for most consumers considering the pain threashhold is typically 120 F.
Netgear probably should have designed a more "roomy" case to allow better airflow for this model. |
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bapiow
join:2002-12-09
UK
| As recommended by Netgear support I got a replacedment for my DGN2000 because of the heat problem!!.
After 24Hr use this replacement is no different than the first one I had.
I can only assume this is the norm for this type of router.
Pity they don't supply the clip-on legs so it could be placed vertical.
Managed to get some clip-on legs from a local PC shop.
Now running cool.. |
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matty
@as9105.com | reply to rdcinhou3
hey man when i try to set up my wirless router same one as yours netgear dgn2000 it comes up with wireless green , dsland power and wsp but no internet i dont get it..... |
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