Currently have:

Ozemail OzE256 Starter ADSL plan (not ADSL2/ADSL2+)
http://homesite.service.ozemail.com....cts/legacyFAQs

connected to:

Netgear DG834 (very happy with it - new @ $123 off eBay
http://www.netgear.com.au/products/prod_de....asp?prodID=222

connected to:

iMac g4 1Ghz wiv 768MB RAM running Mac OS 10.3.9
and
Pentium II 450Mhz wiv 192BM RAM running WinXP Pro + SP2

Want:

same PC & Mac (well not really)

Telstra Bigpond cable: "Unlimited" Cable plan @ $59.95 p/m http://www.bigpond.com/internet-plans/broa...ted/default.asp
(where can i get a cheap, compatible cable modem for this?)

Edit: the ad i got in the (snail) mail:

Linksys WRT54GP2 (cant find official link: http://www.ozcableguy.com/linksys1.html#wrt54gp2)

Engin (but prefer Skype, simply because their cheaper) VoIP service to *replace* current landline phone
__________________________________________________ ______________________________

Can I use Skype for VoIP (using a standard home phone plugged into the Linksys WRT54GP2) or is Skype restricted to being on a computer only? Will Skype let me use the router+phone combination?

I want to make sure that x KBs (whatever it needs) speed is allocated to the phone plugged into the router so if there's heavy internet usage I can still make/receive calls OK. That's one reason why I want this router, it has this feature.

Does this router have a firewall? Is it better than/as good as my current Netgear DG834? Will I be secure? (on the Mac I mean, screw the PC :P).

Does the whole combination of Bigpond cable, their (Motorola?) modem, the Linksys WRT54GP2, Panasonic KX-TCD 440ALS (cordless DECT phone) Audioline CDL100 and Engin's service work well together?

I don't really need wireless at the moment, but I might get a i/PowerBook soon/friends will bring their laptops over, etc.

Where can I get a cheap, Bigpond cable modem, so I don't pay Telstra's rip-off prices?

How will I secure the wireless network/turn it *OFF* when I'm not using it?

Is Telstra's "$0 Broadband Installation" offer only available to current Telstra home phone customers (if so, could I cancel my home phone soon after with no consequences?) I wanna take up this offer if I can, I am a Telstra home phone customer.

Any other issues, please mention them.

Who wants to buy my Netgear DG834? (Not selling it *just* yet, but I might!)

Can't answer all your questions but we recently moved to Engin over our existing Bigpond Cable.

The "zero dollar" installation fee includes the modem (Motorola SB5100 no doubt) & is an excellent modem. Not sure if Telstra allow 3rd party modems.

The advantage of Engin is you get a fixed number & you do not require a PC to be on to make / receive calls. We just have our previous standard phones connected to the Engin box.

The router will have a firewall - how good I can't say. I'm just using an old Pentium II running Smoothwall (Linux) however a hardware router should be fine.

I guess the best wireless security is to turn it off - if not used regularly however encryption, mac filtering & other options cover most bases.

A few of your questions, including the 3rd party modems, would be best answered by Telstra directly - give them a call.

Telstra do now apparently allow bring your own modems, as long as it's a supported model.

There is a very good website/forum Whirlpool that is specifically for broadband discussions, and you should find a better range of specific experience there.

The linksys router works well with Engin using QOS, although you may have to apply some custom set-up. Make sure though that it supports the bigpond propriatory login client if you are going ahead with this topology.

To Kildare:
Huh? You already had BigScam Cable and then signed up for Engin?
Please re word this, it's confusing.

I'd do this if I could, does Smoothwall need much configuration/linux knowledge? (My linux knowledge is *very* limited)

Well, now you've got me thinking Kildare: should I just use my old Pentium II Pc as a router instead? I thought I had it all planned out.

To: Mac Aid
So would I just need to adjust the router's settings? (hopefully via a web interface) or would it need later/3rd party firmware? (I don't think it will need 3rd party firmware, as ozcableguy.com says it doesnt).

Thanx for the replies.

Had Bigpond Cable for over 5 years. Moved from landline to Engin.

I just use Smoothwall since we had trouble with routers & Bigpond years back.
It's been working great & I like the extra functionality.
Smoothwall does not support Bigpond Cable or QoS "out of the box" however its not hard to manage.

If you're still interested in that path m0n0wall does both & boots directly off a CD. No HDD required.
Most routers seem fine with Bigpond Cable these days however & offer great functionality.

Thanks for your advice, Kildare and Mac Aid. If you don't mind, add def_254@hotmail.com to your IM buddy list please. It would be nice to get more instant replies. Cheers

well, all this (this topic) has made me consider placing an ad in the trading section here to trade my 450Mhz PC for a similar/equivalent one running Smoothwall or m0n0wall, only so i don't have to worry about setting it up myself. But i would probably have to configure settings (DHCP server, DNS, although most of this is configured automatically) so there wouldnt b much point. And it wouldn't be any fun!