Help with choosing DSL Modem/Router!

[JUC]

Hi all, I have been having a terribly difficult time setting up port forwarding on my actiontec DSL modem/Route/wireless gateway. Its one of the cheap ones they give you for free when you sign up for DSL. Tech support through my DSL company is useless and through actiontec--i would have to pay $30 for a solution! Unbelievable. Anyway, I am 100% sure I have been doing everything correctly to open/forward ports but it just won't take. I'm guessing it might be disabled for these units for some reason. No one can asnwer that question at tech support unfortunately.

So-i'm in the market for a cheap DSL modem/router. I currently have a linksys WAP54G and also a 4 port switch. I I am guessing I can either get a DSL modem and a seperate router...OR get a combo DSL modem/router. Which would be easier to set up port forwarding? cost is definately a factor as I'm saving up for a thin client (but hopefully sage's HD extender will come out before that happens!!!).

Do you all recommend combo's or seperates? And any cheap ones you can recommend?? Brands to stay away from--to buy? As long as I can connect my WAP to it and forward ports to my hard wired server I will be all set. I just got DSL not too long ago (I live in the woods so this is huge for me) and am really excited to get placeshifting and webaccess setup.

Thanks a bunch,

JUC

[stanger89]

I'd just get a router (which could be a router/switch/WAP combo). That you can take with you, use with anything that pipes out ethernet.

[JUC]

so your saying get a seperate router and modem? Makes sense--i wouldn't be tied to the dsl part in the future. Any brand or model recommendations?
Thanks
JUC

[dbfresh23]

I actually pulled the Telcos modem/router out the first day I had my dsl (about 3 years ago). I used to work for a small ISP so I had cheap access to DSL routers. I hooked up a Zyxel Prestige 645R which is a modem and router in one box, though there's only 1 ethernet port so it'd need to go out to a hub/switch. I love the box as it's WAY more configurable then any of those cable/dsl routers out there. It is configured via telnet / command line though - so if you're looking for something with a pretty web gui then this one isn't for you. I'm actually double natting to get my wireless stuff online with a USR Wireless router that is also rock solid. My ISP seems to be one of the few in the US that uses PPPoA - and the USR doesn't support that so a modem directly to the wireless router wasn't even an option for me.