usb modem routers

[ajbrun]

I am thinking of buying this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=60004

I don't know a lot about routers or anything, but what I can gather is that you have a choice. You can either connect to the internet using a USB connection or an RJ-45. I'm also guessing that since it's only a 2 port model that you can only connect 2 computers to it. Am I right?

Assuming I am, does anyone know of a similar one that will connect at least 3 computers, and have internet access from a USB modem?

Thanks - I have had a quick look, but have found none .

I am a total novice when it comes to routers, so if I have asked a stupid question, then I am sorry .

[Shogun]

I am thinking of buying this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=60004

I don't know a lot about routers or anything, but what I can gather is that you have a choice. You can either connect to the internet using a USB connection or an RJ-45. I'm also guessing that since it's only a 2 port model that you can only connect 2 computers to it. Am I right?

Assuming I am, does anyone know of a similar one that will connect at least 3 computers, and have internet access from a USB modem?

Thanks - I have had a quick look, but have found none .

I am a total novice when it comes to routers, so if I have asked a stupid question, then I am sorry .

With mine you can either plug one pc into usb and ethernet at the same time for 2 pcs or get an ethernet switch for how many ports you want and plug that into the ethernet port. Then plug computers into the switch and away you go

[Moby-Dick]

you can indeed plug the ethernet cable into a switch and use NAT to share the connection between multiple PC's.

If you dont already have a switch then get one of these
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=35433
or

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=48449

it will make your life much easier

[ajbrun]

you can indeed plug the ethernet cable into a switch and use NAT to share the connection between multiple PC's.

If you dont already have a switch then get one of these
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=35433
or

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=48449

it will make your life much easier

They look very nice and all, and are a good price, but what exactly do they do? I know I need network cards in each of the PC's I'm connecting, but if I buy one of those, do I need anything else? Am I able to plug a USB modem into it, and share the connection between 3 computers (even when they're not all on)?

I'm sorry, but I really need it spelling out for me.

[ajbrun]

WOW. From what I've read from the "Ebuyer 4 Port ADSL Modem Router", I'm very impressed (if it's all correct). I'd just like to check my thoughts to see if they're right with all you knowledgable people and see if they're right before buying though.

* I think this router includes a modem, yes?

* I can do this?

Internet ------ Router ------ PC 1, PC2 and PC3 (all sharing the same connection, and all possible to see each others files, and use printers etc)

Is this right?

[directhex]

yes, that's all right.

you really don't want to use usb for anything even slightly network related, networking is king.

[ajbrun]

Right, two more questions, then I'll shut up. For the network cards, is a cheapo one OK (£10 ish), or do I need a more expensive one. Do they go at different speed, or do you just pay for quality?

Also, I have a motherboard that has I think, a network socket thing. Can they come with these, or am I just imagening it? (next to the socket is a picture of 3 computers linked up)

[nichomach]

Ideally, if you want to connect multiple computers to the internet via an ADSL connection (I assume this is what we're talking about) your best solution is an ADSL router with a built-in modem and 4-port switch. That way, you only need a network (RJ45) connection in each machine either built in or via network card. Saves mucking about with a separate modem for a start.

Ideally you want one with a Stateful Packet Inspection firewall, too, however. The ebuyer one seems to be THIS one which makes no mention of that, so I wouldn't be too keen.

edit: THIS is more like it.

Yes, modern motherboards frequently come with integrated network adapters and if it's the one in your sig, then I believe this'd be one of them.

MORE edit: Yes, your board's an nForce2 board which has a 10/100 network adapter built in, so that machine's sorted. If your other machine needs a network card then almost any 10/100 card'll do. Like THIS

[ajbrun]

I was reading some of the reviews, and on page 2, I think someone said that there is a firewall in it:

"This router has an optional firewall, if you go to the configuration page and go to "Misc Configuration" you will find an option called "DMZ". Enable DMZ and put in the box which has an ip address (lots of numbers and full stops), and enter "10.0.0.999" or you can replace 999 with any numer that is out of range of the DHCP pool.

The latest firmware includes a software firewall. This router has port forwarding as well."

[ajbrun]

I have seen your edit nichomach, but the one you found is almost twice the price, and since a reviewer said there was a way to get a firewall on the ebuyer one, I don't see the difference.

Right now, I think the ebuyer one would be the one to by for me, along with one network card like this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=63323

And a few very long wires to link everything up .

It seems to me that with the ebuyer one, I'd be able to share internet access, files and printers on the network, and all for about £50!

[Ben Rogers]

You will need to use a cross-over cable from the last port on the router if it's designated as uplink and you wish to connect this to a network card.

I use the usb on my 1 port router cos it has to connect to a switch and a hub and get pings of <1ms to it so it can't do too much harm imo...thats through ~40metres of cable.

edit: ok running a ping a few times averages out at 0ms rather than <1

Using it from PC 1 to router via ethernet will probably only make 0.1ms difference in pings to the router and you've lost a port due to that, but I suppose every .1ms helps gaming etc in a way.

[Flibb]

The network card you chose is fine, get that.
Either off the 4 port routers Moby posted will do the trick.
Your MOBO probably has a network port onboard, use that.
You dont need any crossover cables, standard ones will do. Ebay looks cheap for the cable, £11ish for 20m with plugs fitted.

[directhex]

You will need to use a cross-over cable from the last port on the router if it's designated as uplink and you wish to connect this to a network card.

I use the usb on my 1 port router cos it has to connect to a switch and a hub and get pings of <1ms to it so it can't do too much harm imo...thats through ~40metres of cable.

edit: ok running a ping a few times averages out at 0ms rather than <1

Using it from PC 1 to router via ethernet will probably only make 0.1ms difference in pings to the router and you've lost a port due to that, but I suppose every .1ms helps gaming etc in a way.

crossover cable is the same as normal cable, but 4 wires are in different positions at one end. it won't make a lot of real-world difference to performance.

[Ben Rogers]

Yep, I know...I meant compared to connecting it through USB, ethernet will barely be faster at all.

[Paul Adams]

Yep, I know...I meant compared to connecting it through USB, ethernet will barely be faster at all.

Given that the D-Link device has a maximum WAN throughput of 8Mbps, its USB 1.1 interface is sufficient for connecting to the Internet, absolutely true - but for communicating between machines on the LAN it will be restricted to 12Mbps (tops), less than 1-8 of the potential speed of an ethernet connected device.

As directhex said, for networking ethernet is king.
I'm not 100% sure, but I would guess USB-connected network devices incur a CPU overhead, where network cards can offload a lot of the work of communicating.

It's not a simple case of looking at round-trip time and bandwidth, there are other reasons for using interfaces dedicated for networking over a universal one.