Your DSL provider is probably charging you a monthly fee for their modem on top of your regular internet service. But you do have the option of getting your own modem If you are seriously considering purchasing a modem, the best choice is the award winning D-Link DSL-2320B from D-Link. D-Link as a company has become a very environmentally conscious company and has been receiving much praise for their efforts. They use recyclable materials for shipping their products, and supports local programs that do the same.
If you would like to buy a modem instead of lease, you will first need to find out the break even point of buying over leasing. Once you have decided to buy the modem, then it becomes time to decide on which modem to purchase. This review will focus on the D-Link DSL-2320B for we believe it is the best choice. All of the standard features that can be found on a DSL modem can also be found on a D-Link modem. The usual suspects would be an RJ-11 ADSL port, fast Ethernet port, a reset button and light-indicator to show the connection state.
Besides those features, the modem comes with other functions that other modems typically don’t have. It features network security options, VPN support and network connection via USB. By using the firewall feature, it can protect your computer or network from malware and denial-of-service attacks. The firewall will prevent any traffic it deems as illegitimate. The VPN or Wirtual Private Network feature comes in handy if your company has set up one for remote access, that way you can securely connect to your company’s files from home.
A USB port may not seem necessary but it can be used if your computer does not have an Ethernet port or the port is damaged. So if you have an Ethernet port, there is no reason to use the USB feature, instead use it to connect your other peripherals. Using the USB port instead of an Ethernet connection would simply take away a connection that can be used for something else. Also, you will not be able to connect to a router to share your internet connection. The USB connection can also be unreliable as it tends to drop connections more plus the cable is limited to up to 20 feet while Ethernet cable can reach up to 300 feet.
The D-Link DSL-2320B has a tool for simple configuration, and settings can easily be modified with a web-based user interface. You always know if the links are working because of the diodes and the light they emit. Settings are automatically updated and managed because the modem is TR-067 compliant. Also, it means that it conforms to the ADSL Interoperability Test Plan. Therefore, this modem is just as compliant as the modem that you are currently leasing. D-Link provides a one year warranty with a full year of free technical support plus they also have a detailed frequently asked  questions section  on their  site to  help  you  do  it  yourself.