dsl cable modem

[Al Pollock]

Hello People .
Just spoke to coworker who has a problem setting up a new dsl cable modem.He told me the instructions say he can connect the DSL modem to his USB port? I am under the impression any DSL modem must connect to a NIC card???Can some one clarify this for me.

Thanks

AL

[Iman74]

There are dsl modems that offer connection via USB; it depends on what you bought. I personally stick with CAT5 when dealing with any networking products.

[Xayd]

Yes, there are USB DSL modems but I'm not a fan of them either. If your friend can do so, he might give telco a call and tell them he doesn't have any USB ports, see if they'll give him an Ethernet modem.

[Al Pollock]

Thanks people ,Iwill tell him just that.

AL

[Jade]

Ditto. There were quite a few tests done using 3 different types over a few months by a lot of users. USB came in second (and by far), cable blew both away (forgot second type).


Go to speedguide.net or dslreports to check and tweak your DSL\Cable needs.

[Confused]

My cable modem has both to give the user a option. Maybe he will also be so lucky.
Chas

[Al Pollock]

Hey Confused after speaking to him some more,I do believe that's what he has,although It doesn't sound as if its anyone's first choice.

AL

[Confused]

They are put there for people like my wife. While I'm no master (on a scale of 1 to 10, about a 4), I did manage to install my ethernet card, and enter setting to get on the net without installing their bloated software. I would rate her a 1. So for people like that, plug in the USB and run the software setup that comes with the modem and service provider. As long as Eric's ultimate solitaire and Alphtris work, and she can check email she's fine.
Chas

[fred]

Hi All,
I used a cable modem on USB for a while and had no complaints. Althouth the network card must be faster ( I didn't fall off my seat with the 'obvious' speed difference!) The network card is much simpler to do. Net card drivers are standard and nearly always supported in the future. USB drivers can be difficult to obtain and often go out of date when operating systems change.

A lot of modems have both interfaces and in fact will even operate both at the same time! In other words you can connect two pc's up to the modem. Er, your supplier MUST give you two IP addresses though or only one PC will work!

Often suppliers only support ONE interface and the sales people haven't even been told about the other! When you ring up, they are unaware of the second interface.

[Al Pollock]

This turned in to a very good post A lot of good information being handed out here .

Thanks again All

AL

[Jade]

You don't need any of your cable company's software. Not even the one that gives you that test start up. Just make sure your workgroup and domain same as on the paper they gave you.

You can leave everything blank or disable what is in your TCP\IP properties. (98se anyway) and have windows logon.

[Al Pollock]

Thanks Jade, more good stuff

AL

[Jade]

Ya I found that out after installing my friends win95 machine, and reformatting my 98se.