BT Broadband & Red Hat 9! which damn router to buy?!?!?!

[Calum]

so, while i was on holiday my flatmates have signed up to bt broadband, now the service is not compatible with linux, so now i can only use windows to go online. this is much worse than just having to use windows, since now i have to race around and install all sorts of firewall shareware crap.

that aside, how do i fix it quickly? i have heard that i should buy a router, plug the computer into it and then attach the router into the modem (it is a usb modem provided from bt when they gave us the service).

anybody heard of an approved "best" way to use bt broadband with linux, or can you think of any pitfalls i might run into? if not, then i guess i can just go ahead and buy whatever router i like, yes?

thanks in advance...

[Tux]

Three options really:

1) Buy a router that supports PPoE and lets you linux box interface it using straight ethernet.

2) Buy a router that lets you plug in the existing BT modem.

3) This may not apply. Linux SpeedTouch USB Drivers

[Calum]

well, i'm less happy with fiddling around with third party drivers, and i have heard that i have to continue to use the BT modem since it's part of the terms and conditions blah blah blah, so will get a router that will take the usb modem i think...

thank you for your answer!

by the way, the modem appears to be a "BT Voyager 105". i don't think this is one of those alcatel ones that i have seen mentioned, but you know, i have been known to be a bit dumb!

[Tux]

Yeh, I believe BT internet use the Voyager and BT Openworld (aka BTYahoo) use the Alcatel.

Just make sure when you buy the router that you get the right one. If you look on the product comparison page on Draytek's website, it seems they have renamed their products. You'd be best getting in contact with them to find out exactly which one is compatible with your modem.

Also...
Have you considered a dedicated linux firewall box?
Smoothwall and IPCop are well known for dealing with tricky modems from UK ISPs, all with minimal input from the user.

[Calum]

i had considered it briefly, but apart from not having done it that way before (which is actually not that offputting, in fact it would be a nice challenge), i am thinking i don't physically have space for a dedicated machine (nor the money!) with several network cards etc. so what i am going to do is buy a modem/router such as [url=55&]this one[/url] and use it instead of the horrible voyager 105. If this does not work, then i am just going to have to put the case to my flatmates that bt broadband is not the best choice.

and with that in mind, any hints for a decent broadband service in the UK? i'll compare all the services and prices etc but am not too good at remembering who the usual providers are to look for.

[Tux]

I've only experince with BT but I hear that Zen and Pipex(UUNET) are good.

I think you should go ahead with a new router with build in modem, don't worry about breaking the TOS. They just want to push people into using the business packages that come with a four port router.

[Calum]

what a cunch of bunts!

ok i certainly will get a modem router then, thanks!