Broadband on my home network?

[Designer]

Hi guys,

At home I'm still using a dial-up connection and using just my laptop for browsing but now I'm thinking of getting broadband.

At present i've got 3 computers networked through a 5 port switch. I'm thinking of getting BT broadband but there are two different types, when I checked their website they stated one as being suitable for single computer use only and the other is suitable for multiple computers. My only concern with this is that the 2nd option costs £10 a month more.

Here's a link to the provider's website

http://www.bt.com/btbroadband/ns_pre...K&obsOID=80306

It says you get a modem with a USB connection, but could I bin this and install my own modem and hook it up to my network or would I be able to share the connection between the other PC's on my network by just changing the network settings using the home networking wizard, all the PC's are running XP pro.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. and please let me know if I hav'nt included enough detail.



Thanks

D

[mb26]

i expect the only difference is that the 'multiple' computers one has an ethernet port on the modem.. i dont know how much dsl modems cost or weather they could stop you using other modems with that deal?

if you have cable in the area i'd go with ntl.. they have slightly faster download speeds (600 compared to 512 w/ BT) although their upload speeds a pretty poor if that bothers you.. (128 ..uh)
freeserve (wanadoo) have some good deals on DSL if you dont download much (2gb/month limit on the cheapest)

might be nice to go wireless with the laptop if that appeals..

you wont regret moving from dial-up.. (although your wallet may)

[glc]

In the UK, you can buy combo ADSL modem/routers that will work with BT and do your own networking. The advantage to paying the 10 quid extra a month would possibly be the support issue - BT probably would not support your own modem/router if you have problems.

[Designer]

Thanks guys,

If push came to shove, would I be able to use their USB modem but share the connection across my home network to my other machines?

mb26 - I don't think i'll end up downloading more than 256MB a month, I do most of my downloading at work (don't know what they've got but is very fast). The only reason i'm fairly set on BT is because I shopped around a bit and they seemed to offer the best price/speed combination plus I don't like paying for things on credit card and BT will charge to my existing phone bill.

[mb26]

well, wanadoo offer broadband which is 'Ideal for home networking' [ie not just USB] for £18/month.. (512kbps, with the 2gb/month limit)
and BTs cheapest is £20/month (512kbps) and you would have to buy a new modem and it would be unsupported by BT.

however if not paying by with Direct Debit/Visa/Mastercard is a huge issue for you then ok i guess.. but isn't that how you pay your phone bill anyway?
i think you can do it by phone u dont have to do all your credit card details online, if that is what concerns you

(i love how they claim that having a modem that allows you to connect more than one computer (for £7/month more) suddenly makes it ideal for online gaming.. and getting junk mail filter and pop-up blocker, and slapping the word 'yahoo' on it, (for £2/month more again, which u can get free online) suddenly makes it ideal for 'downloading large files' and 'music downloads')

'If push came to shove, would I be able to use their USB modem but share the connection across my home network to my other machines?'
hmm might work (i'm sure GLC will know).. you would need the computer connected to the modem to be on all the time at the very least.

[Designer]

Thanks mb26,

It's not so much not wanting to pay over the net it's just that I always use a debit card as opposed to a credit card because I don't want one and don't have any need for one as they are just another way for me to lose money.

[glc]

Yes, you can share a USB modem across your network using a host machine and ICS, but that's not the ideal way to do it.

[Designer]

So it would work but I'd be looking at reduced speeds?

[glc]

There will be no difference in speeds - it will require the host computer be on at all times for your network to be functional as it will be your DHCP server. Also, USB networking of any type (yes, ADSL is networking) can be more problematic than hardwired Ethernet.

[Designer]

So it should be OK using the USB modem but sharing the connection through my ethernet network.

Thanks GLC