DSL modem or router?

[firewall]

I wish to get a DSL 256K connection for home use and have the option to either get a DSL modem/router from the service provider or else to get one myself.

What's the difference with using either a modem or a router and which is better? Also which brands are better and which are the ones to avoid?

Any particular recommendations? I would prefer ones which are easy to install and maintain. I would also like driver support available for when I upgrade my OS (currently Win XP) to the next version available in the future.

 

[TXJustin]

The modem is what translates the signal from the DSL company into something you can use. A router would allow multiple computers to share that one internet connection. For a simple home setup, if you ever plan on using more than one computer you will need both a router and a DSL modem. If you can get both in the same device, I say why not.

 

[JackMDS]

No matter what you need a DSL Modem,

If you want to Share the Internet connection between few computers you need a Cable/DSL Router (or Wireless Router).

Option 1. Use a Combo unit that housed the Modem and the Router in one plastic box. Aka DSL Modem/Router.

Option 2. Use a Stand alone DSL Modem and Stand alone DSL Router.

Option one has two positive aspects. You have only one plastic box instead of two boxes.
If given free by the ISP it might save few $$$.

Option two. As a Functional and Technological solution, option Two is superior to option one.

The Router part of the Modem/Router combos is not as good as a stand alone Router (less features and reduced flexibility).

Using a combo unit reduces your flexibility in future configuration of your Network (like if you would like to go Wireless it gets cumbersome and more expensive to add Wireless or other components).

The content of these pages might further help.

http://www.ezlan.net/faq#wiredrouter

Wireless What Should I Get?

:sun:

 

[firewall]

The modem and router both provide only one connection point for one pc only. I asked them for a reduction in setup costs if I had my own modem and they agreed to it.

Now are there any recommendations for any brand and model of either modem or router? I would like to connect both my PC and my laptop to the same DSL connection so a router with a builtin modem is preferable.

 

[Rottie]

you might want to look for Westell DSL modem with built in router.

 

[firewall]

Originally posted by: Rottie
you might want to look for Westell DSL modem with built in router.

Any particular model? I also had a look at the D-Link ones. How good are they?

Is it worth it to buy a wireless router with modem or a simple broadband router with wired 4 LAN plug/sockets? I will keep it near my PC and will use normal LAN cable to connect it to my PC's NIC card. The laptop has both RJ45 plug and and wireless. Which way should I go?

 

[JackMDS]

Can I use all the computer as Wireless with No Wired computer? http://www.ezlan.net/faq#onewire

:sun:

 

[firewall]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Can I use all the computer as Wireless with No Wired computer? http://www.ezlan.net/faq#onewire

:sun:

What I meant was, that should I have:

1 - A wireless router with my PC connected to it through an RJ45 connector and my Laptop through either the RJ45 connector or the wireless connection depending on where I want to use it in my home,

OR

2 - A normal broadband router connecting both my PC and my Laptop thorugh the RJ45 connector at the same location?

 

[JackMDS]

A Wireless Cable/DSL Router has 4 ports to connect through Wire and

What you need is.

1. DSL Modem

2. Wireless Cable/DSL Router

3. A PCMCIA (Cardbus) Wireless card for the Laptop (if the Laptop has already an Internal Wireless card than you do not need Wireless card).

If your computer can use wire too, use it for the initial configuration.

A typical Home Network looks like this: http://www.ezlan.net/network/router.jpg

:sun:

 

[firewall]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
A Wireless Cable/DSL Router has 4 ports to connect through Wire and

What you need is.

1. DSL Modem

2. Wireless Cable/DSL Router

1 and 2 would be combined in a Broadband gateway.

3. A PCMCIA (Cardbus) Wireless card for the Laptop (if the Laptop has already an Internal Wireless card than you do not need Wireless card).

Compaq 2013AP. Builtin 802.11b/g Intel Wireless solution.

If your computer can use wire too, use it for the initial configuration.

Both have the NIC/RJ45 connectors but only the notebook has wireless.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: asadasif

Originally posted by: Rottie
you might want to look for Westell DSL modem with built in router.

Any particular model? I also had a look at the D-Link ones. How good are they?

Is it worth it to buy a wireless router with modem or a simple broadband router with wired 4 LAN plug/sockets? I will keep it near my PC and will use normal LAN cable to connect it to my PC's NIC card. The laptop has both RJ45 plug and and wireless. Which way should I go?

model #2200

 

[firewall]

The modems/routers provided by the service provider are:

DSL USB Modem, Single USB Port
Speed touch 511E Single Port Ethernet Router
Speed touch ST546, 4-Port Ethernet Router
Zoom 4-Port Router
Speed touch 580W Wireless
Paradyne REACH

I also looked at D-Link DI-604.
http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=62

Any recommendations on which is better?

 

[Kelemvor]

I'd go with the LinkSYs WRT54G. Probably the most popular router out there right now. It's around $50 or so but less if you can find a sale or rebate.

Personally I'd only get Linksys, Netgear, or SMC. I've used them all and never had problems. I'd never buy DLink because of all the horror stories I've heard over the years. But good luck.