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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Alarms, Phones, Aerials, CCTV & Datacomms >> Network problems? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1098716744 Message started by billythekid on Oct 25^th, 2004, 4:05pm

Title: Network problems?
Post by billythekid on Oct 25^th, 2004, 4:05pm

OK, is it possible to connect a USB broadband modem to an RJ45 router? I thought i had it licked with an RJ45-USB converter and a female-female USB adapter but no. I am thinking now that i'll need to get a regular broadband modem(RJ45) for use with a router. Anyone found a way to use a USB modem and router combination?

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by thescruff on Oct 25^th, 2004, 5:50pm

Em, I have a Motorola SB4200 surfboard cable modem connected to an Ethernet 10/100 card.

Then I added a Linksys wireless-G broadband router and connected the surfboard through the router.

Works very well on all three computers, it also seems a lot faster.

scruff

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by billythekid on Oct 25^th, 2004, 5:55pm

is that modem USB scruff? I can only find ways to connect RJ45(phone type) connections to the router and modem?
at the moment I am running 2 ethernet cards via crossover cable linking the PCs one has the internet connection + USB broadband modem, but i'm wanting to go the router um route because of the ip address stuff you can do with it. I only have the two PC's atm and if it comes to it i could always ask BT for a static IP(or whoever i decide to go to next)

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by thescruff on Oct 25^th, 2004, 6:31pm

Its the standard modem plug.

Cable comes in from the street, goes upto the loft and down the other side to my office, connects to the surfboard modem, from there it goes to the Belkin Surgemaster and out again to the Wireless router, from the router I can hard wire up to 4 computers.

In my case I have 2 hard wired and the laptop on wireless which enables me to use the laptop for on the move.

Points of note; I was advised to use the wireless-G against the B.

If you have 2 ethernet cards you can only use then one or the other as they have to be setup, therefore to switch cards you have to power down the modem swap the card or computer connections and power the modem back on.

scruff

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by plugwash on Oct 25^th, 2004, 6:59pm

routers that can work with usb adsl modems are very rare

most people using adsl with a router use a router with built in adsl modem and this is usually the least hassle way to go

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by Lectrician on Oct 25^th, 2004, 7:04pm

I agree with plug......I sent a customer to buy a router (assuming she would get one with modem built in). She came back with out one, but had ordered one with out a modem, as she didn't want to have her 'free' modem 'go to waste'.

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by Lectrician on Oct 26^th, 2004, 7:40am

wrote on Oct 25^th, 2004, 4:05pm:

Ok, here the answer from my computer literate brother...

You can't directly connect a USB modem to a Router via RJ45. The router will not know what the modem is, and so will ignore it. If you think about it - you must load drivers into the PC to get the modem to work, but you cannot load the drivers into the router!!...

The options available are to either
1) Purchase a router with a built in modem for approx �60 / �70.
2.) Purchase a router which supports USB ADSL modems. These are now being rapidly phased out, so I strongly suggest option 1
3.) Install the modem into a PC and then install and internet sharing application. The PC hosting the modem must then be left switched on..

Hope this is of help :)

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by billythekid on Oct 26^th, 2004, 8:40am

Option 3 is how I am running at the moment. I think I will buy a router/modem combined for the easy setup, can these routers handle port forwarding etc?

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by HandyMac on Oct 26^th, 2004, 11:40am

wrote on Oct 26^th, 2004, 8:40am:

Option 3 is how I am running at the moment. I think I will buy a router/modem combined for the easy setup, can these routers handle port forwarding etc?

Depends on the model, but the qualified answer is yes, no problem - but check the specs.

I have cable broadband here and my Netgear FVS318 does the biz for me. It's got more options on its control panel than I'll ever need.

Andrew

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by thescruff on Oct 26^th, 2004, 12:12pm

lectrician,

The PC hosting the modem must then be left switched on..

mine works without the host being switched on, and don't ask how because it's still new tome.

Can use any of the 3 computers singly or all together, can even have 3 different channels at the same time, perhaps you noticed the font changes from time to time, thats because I use the nearest comp at the time.

scruff

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by billythekid on Oct 26^th, 2004, 1:57pm

you're using a router scruff so you dont need to leave the PC on. I'm using an ICS connection which is basically one computer(HOST) has the modem plugged in to it and the other computer(CLIENT) connects with a cable to the HOST, so if i dont turn on the host pc(mine anyway) then i cant get online from the client PC(missthekids) ICS is just software that routes the correct website etc to the correct computer, but it is very limited in that if i try to send or receive a file direct to someone else it cant understand where its coming from in the DCC protocol, since both PC's are using the same IP addy. it just sends to the HOST, but if itsd supposed to go to the client it gets stopped, or doesnt connect in the first place.(this could also be my firewall but i dont think it is since the home network is on the allowed list.) v complicated for me to understand.

Title: Re: Network problems?
Post by sparkster on Dec 1^st, 2004, 10:36pm

wrote on Oct 25^th, 2004, 6:59pm:

routers that can work with usb adsl modems are very rare

Vigor 2200USB was one of (or the?) the first - would take the usual BT frog/skate modem and worked fine. But they are no longer made and are as rare as plugwash makes out. They turn up on ebay though. I still have mine but upgraded to one with a built-in modem (and wi-fi) as soon as they made them!