Customer Reviews

Actiontec Dual PC Modem - 56K Analog Modem ( GS002AN2-01 )

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this modem thinking I could share my dial-up connection by attaching it to the Internet (WAN) port of my wireless router (Netgear MR814v2). As it turns out, that wasn't necessary (and I couldn't figure it out, either!) because the modem functions as a router by itself. This means that I didn't need the routing capability of my MR814v2. Instead, I gave the MR814v2 a fixed IP address, turned off its DHCP server and connected it to the ActionTec modem via a regular ethernet port. The ActionTec modem now functions as my DHCP server and routes its dial-up connection to all of my networked machines; including my laptop which connects wirelessly through the MR814's access point. It also eliminates the need to have a PC running just to use Windows internet connection sharing.

The modem comes with interface software that is used to set it up and allows you to tell it when to connect, but I prefer the web browser based interface (type in the modem's IP address) which offers you the option to connect and disconnect from any computer on the network without installing yet another piece of software on all your machines.

At first I was worried that the web interface didn't require me to login or otherwise check my identity. However, you can set the modem up so that each time you connect you have to enter your internet provider's password which is the same thing, I guess.

Our family doesn't access the internet simultaneously, so I can't comment on the merits of being able to share such a limited connection.

In terms of basic modem performance, the fastest connection speed seems to be a little slower than my previous modems (49Kbps v. 52Kbps)and for that reason, I could only rate it 4 stars. Still, it's a trade-off I am willing to make for the increased flexibility.

This is the perfect device to purchase to get started with working on Embedded Linux. It is a relatively inexpensive item compared to many reference boards for sale, and it runs uClinux, which has a very active developer community and support site.

Actiontec itself is also open to people modifying these devices, and therefore may provide some developer tools some time in the future.

A very exciting product!

Set up was easy. Worked very nicely. The only issue was the connection speed was slower than other modems I have had on that phone line. It's a good back up in case your DSL line goes down. Slow is better than no connection to the internet.

This modem is slightly slower than the others but does the job nicely for the price. For some reason I can not connect to E-bay. Perhaps it is because it uses NAT as a security feature. I had a difficult time getting it connected to my router via the WAN port so I e-mailed Actiontec for support. They told me how to change the modems address to xxx.xxx.1.1 within my LAN and everything just worked. I looped through the dual pc modem and attach it to an internal modem on one of my computers so I can connect to the internet that way in case I want to ever get on e-bay (which I seldom do anymore since I started shopping on Amazon). I do not get DSL where I live so this was the only real alternative. I would say I am happy with the purchase. I works with my windows machines and Linux computer.

This modem works as advertised, however, with some shortcomings. The modem could follow more of the V.92 standard including allowing phone calls through while remaining connected. Also, more options should be available. Instead of implementing only the more basic options, allow a more advanced option list. I still like the fact that this modem can be operated remotely, which is why I bought it.

This looked like a good idea and was just what I was looking for - an easy way to share my dial up connection without having to have both computers on all the time. Well, it does work, but not all that well. I had lots of dropped connections and redials. The dial on demand only worked sometimes. The DNS server was really flaky - I would have to reset the modem to get a connection back to one PC or the other. The firmware is the latest available, but has not been updated for quite some time. The only reason I put up with it was because I did not have a broadband connection available. Now I do - the modem will go on ebay for someone else to fiddle with now.

I have used this modem for many many moons. Works for XP and 32bit Vista. Use it with my fruity computers too, the Apples, but I have to connect using the modem's software within a windows operating system. Once the modem is connected, my Macs can recognise the connection and use it if they are hooked up to the tiny network. I have a large hard drive in my MacBook so I run a virtual windows on it and use it to connect. I actually use mostly windows programs on my Mac but, that's a different story. Always get good fast (for dial-up) connections. Works for Windows. NOT plug and play for Macs unless you have a windows computer or virtual windows, to run the software to connect the modem.

The idea was to purchase video content over a high speed connection, then carry it home on a portable computer. The problem was that the Apple TV needed to check with the iTunes store before it would play synched content. The Dual PC modem solved this problem, and it connects at a higher data rate than either of our Apple USB external dialup modems. Now we're using it with an external Linksys router to provide dialup access for two Macs, the Apple TV, and a PC.

This has been a lifesaver for us. I nework 3 computers. Living in the sticks, Verizon is not likely to add DSL so this is one option. It is easy to setup. It gives reliable connections for both hard wire and wireless links.

A while back I searched for a device like this and couldn't find one, so I ended up putting together a home-brew Linux-based dialup-firewall box to put between my parent's LAN and the phone line. Shortly afterward I stumbled across this Actiontec box that did _exactly_ what I wanted. Unfortunately their marketing droids had insisted on the inappropriate appellation of "dual PC modem" which prevented any of my Google searches for a "dial-up firewall" from finding it. I prefer not to think about the number of hours and dollars I spent putting together something I could have bought for $60.

However, when the time came to outfit my sister's place with a LAN I went with the Actiontec "Dual PC modem", and it worked perfectly. The step-by-step install instructions worked fine, and the little pop-up utility for MS-Windows does what it's supposed to.

Though the manual is a bit vague on the topic, you can install the thing using nothing but a web browser. That means it's usable by MacOS or Linux users as well. Later when my sister got a new laptop, she was able to configure it to use the Actiontec modem using the Actiontec install CD.

I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to share a dial-up connection. You should definitly not trust the "firewall" or "network sharing" features in Windows.

The fact that it runs Linux is just icing on the cake.