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Chat => Entertainment & Technology => Topic started by: Eagle on December 05, 2007, 03:10:40 AM

Title: Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 05, 2007, 03:10:40 AM
 
Need an ADSL modem (for Vista).  USB preferred.  Any recs?

Meanwhile, for your listening pleasure... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaTKpWcb4Q :)
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Beaker on December 05, 2007, 03:36:04 AM
2 things ::
Why USB?

Speedtouch still make the ST330.  Decent enough modem, but it can get really pissy with ADSL2.
Title: Which modem
Post by: bear on December 05, 2007, 07:02:38 AM
In the UK dont u get a modem when signing for yer ISP ?
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 05, 2007, 16:29:50 PM
^ Usually, but I had the option not to when I signed up. :)
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 05, 2007, 16:30:20 PM
Quote from: Beaker2 things ::
Why USB?
:? Err, why not?  :(
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Ceathreamhnan on December 05, 2007, 16:35:38 PM
The usual option nowadays would be to get a cheap adsl router (which has modem built in) and connect the network point at the back of the pc direct into it, no drivers to install, windows will treat the Internet as a network resource. Also has the advantage of not exposing your pcs Ip on the internet, and therefore not having to worry about a software firewall working on the pc.
Netgear DG834 and versions very popular. Networking over usb is seen as a bit of a compromise (as ethernet is designed for it and usb isnt)?
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Mark on December 05, 2007, 16:56:10 PM
as above, any old home NAT gateway will do in preference to a USB device.
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 05, 2007, 17:09:01 PM
Aha...! Thanks. :)
Title: Which modem
Post by: bear on December 05, 2007, 17:09:55 PM
Signing up for telia one gets a free zyxel modem without router so I use ipcop as router/firewall/DHCP.
Other Isps give the the modem/router combination with NAT
also free. I complained to telia that I only got 2mb up and should be able to get 2.5mb up so they said it was the modem and sent me a new without cost but it was exactly the same !! and did not make a difference but now a year
later I have 2.39 up !?
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Cypher on December 05, 2007, 18:17:02 PM
Quote from: CeathreamhnanNetworking over usb is seen as a bit of a compromise (as ethernet is designed for it and usb isnt)?

As far as your PC is concerned, it might as well be a network cable with DHCP providing an IP.  TCP/IP will still use the device as a gateway.

Its using it as an external device to create the connection, of course as you point out the PC takes the public IP and is exposed without any firewall client, hardware or software.

Afaik no ISP distribute USB modems as part of the broadband package, this may be one of the reasons.

When you share a connection over a PC between an ADSL modem, its network bridging rather than network routing.  You open up the enture network with every thing done on boradcasting and mac address resolution.

In short, its a bit mickey mouse these days.  Especially as far as security and network scaling go.
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 05, 2007, 18:56:40 PM
Do I need an ethernet card in the machine to be able to connect it? What do I connect it with?

You can see why I favour USB... ;)
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 05, 2007, 18:59:43 PM
Quote from: EagleDo I need an ethernet card in the machine to be able to connect it?
Doh! - its on the motherboard isnt it?!  :whoops:
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Ceathreamhnan on December 06, 2007, 13:12:43 PM
Yeah - all new motherboards have an ethernet connector (maybe 2); your new pc will have. If you buy say the netgear router it will come with a Cat5 (RJ45 - RJ45) cable too. You might want to get one longer (long enough to go from pc to router location, which might sensibly be nearer the phone connection).
Title: Which modem
Post by: bear on December 06, 2007, 13:21:38 PM
How fast is yer ADSL ? I have a Nokia modem that can handle 4mb but not more that u can have for postage fee sweden - UK.
Title: Re:Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 07, 2007, 00:10:07 AM
Quote from: CeathreamhnanNetgear DG834... very popular.
Very bought.  Thanks. :)
Title: Which modem
Post by: Eagle on December 07, 2007, 00:10:47 AM
Quote from: bearHow fast is yer ADSL ? I have a Nokia modem that can handle 4mb but not more that u can have for postage fee sweden - UK.
Thanks for your offer but squared-away now. :) ;)