What dsl modem?

Quite simply, what ADSL modems do you guys have hooked up to freeBSD?

I have 2 PCI ADSL modems and neither work (one is apparently linux compatable but no joy). I've looked around and the only modem I could see a success story with is the "alcatel speedtouch USB" (no longer in production, has been replaced by speedtouch 330) and even that hasn't been tested on freeBSD 5.x.

So now that I have to buy a new modem I want to make sure it runs on freeBSD.
More specifically (if it makes a difference) I'm using freebsd 5.1-stable.

In general I can't find much info on the subject of ADSL modems on freeBSD.

Please help. I really love freeBSD (not the devshed member, tho' I see he's a giant database of knowledge) and this is the first bit of hardware I've had problems with so I don't mind buying a new one but I want to make sure it works.

[edit]
I would prefer a PCI modem but don't mind USB.
I REALLY don't want a modem/router/firewall combo thing, just a vanilla dsl modem please.

Also if you suggest a modem could you specify whether you are using PPPoA or PPPoE
[/edit]

i use a modem that connects directly to my NIC card, so no drivers needed except for NIC card

Thanks man but there's quite a few reasons why I don't want that kind of modem.
I'm more specifically looking for a pci or usb modem.

In particular I know that the "alcatel speedtouch USB" should work since it's mentioned in the handbook but since it's no longer in production I'm stuck.
It was replaced by the "speedtouch 330" but I don't know if that will work.

Also I've been reading around and it seems I'm gonna have problems finding a PCI modem that works on freebsd so I guess the only option I have is USB.

So, any ideas on which USB dsl modem works?
or, PCI possibly?

I wish freebsd were around.
Anyone?

I would like to get the server complete ASAP and the only thing holding me back is the DSL modem.

why dont you want to use a NIC modem?

i cant find any other modem besides the speedtouch.

A lot of reasons. The main being that I need the WAN IP mapped to the freebsd machine.

And correct me if I'm wrong but with a modem that plugs into the NIC a LAN IP is mapped to freebsd rather than the WAN IP.

So the kind of setup your talking about would mean that freebsd is basically getting the 'net through NAT and I need a direct 'net connection instead.

Thanks though. I can only find the speedtouch too.

I'll wait a day or so more to see if I get another suggestion then go find a speedtouch on ebay if nothing else comes up.

I don't know about DSL modems, but as far as cable modems go (when they are connected to the NIC), the NIC gets the ISP-assigned IP.

you should only get a LAN IP if you have a router. if you connect the modem through a NIC card you should get the IP address assigned by your ISP if your ip address is dynamic. just set freebsd to use your NIC card on DHCP and it should work.

Cool. I always thought that those kind of modems were all routers.

Ok. So Now, any suggestions on a decent modem like the one you use.
I've just checked and my ISP uses PPPoA only.

Also since I have a static IP and don't use DHCP (It's available if eed be tho'). Will I still be able to get the WAN IP directly on freebsd?

Thanks again for your help.

[edit]
Just had a thought. How do I supply the password for the connection to such a modem?
A friend has a modem/router combo and needs to interact with the harware through software that is only available for win. Is this also true for these kind of modems? or do I dial directly through the NIC like other modems?

I've never had such a modem and don't know how they work hence the above question.
[/edit]

i use a westell 36r516 and my freebsd machine gets a WAN IP address fine.

if it is a static ip connection, there is no username/password you need to define. just set everything in /etc/rc.conf with the lines:

ifconfig_NICCARD="inet <staticip> netmask <netmask>"

and then it should work. im not sure how freebsd works with PPPoE dsl connections.