Info needed about wireless networking

Laptop with USB modem and desktop with internal PCI ADSL modem, Do I
need the laptop's USB modem if I use a wireless / WIFI PCMCIA card to
talk to the wireless router ? How is the desktop's internal modem used
with a router ?

Has anyone brought one of these btw :- http://tinyurl.com/3g4ds

Easy to configure ?? I don't want to spend more than this if possible


pcbh fan

Assuming the laptop's USB modem is a dial-up device used via a phone
line, not broadband, then it would not be used with a router or
broadband. You could keep it as a reserve, or to use out on the road.
Come to that, even if it's an ADSL modem it still wouldn't be used.,
although if it were, why would you need the router.

Are you setting up a network for file and printer sharing etc. or for
sharing Internet access?

To use that WAP/router you would need an external ADSL modem, which
would connect to the WAN port on the router. At least, that would be the
best approach, as then you could use your portable to access the 'net
even when the desktop PC is turned off.
Alternatively I think you could run Internet Connection Sharing on your
desktop PC and still use your internal ADSL modem. In this case the
routing and firewall features of the router would not be used, and a
simple WAP plus a basic hub would do the job. Software firewalls are
available though.
It seems to me, and other have advised me similarly, that a hardware
solution is better.

I'd check out that WAP/router carefully as it says 'cable only' in the
heading, although it does mention DSL in the smaller text. Personally I
prefer brand name products, as there more support available, either from
the manufacturers or informally from other users.

(Disclaimer - I am not an expert in this area, just getting into it
myself. Please check out any info. before making a decision.)



"pcbh fan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Laptop with USB modem and desktop with internal PCI ADSL modem, Do I
> need the laptop's USB modem if I use a wireless / WIFI PCMCIA card to
> talk to the wireless router ? How is the desktop's internal modem used
> with a router ?
>
> Has anyone brought one of these btw :- http://tinyurl.com/3g4ds
>
> Easy to configure ?? I don't want to spend more than this if possible

"John Fryatt" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%QfHb.6$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Assuming the laptop's USB modem is a dial-up device used via a phone
> line, not broadband, then it would not be used with a router or
> broadband

Sorry I assumed you would think it was an DSL USB modem which it is. No dial
up connections here!

You could keep it as a reserve, or to use out on the road.
> Come to that, even if it's an ADSL modem it still wouldn't be used.,
> although if it were, why would you need the router.
>
> Are you setting up a network for file and printer sharing etc. or for
> sharing Internet access?

Probably but just wanting to share the ADSL connection for the moment

> To use that WAP/router you would need an external ADSL modem, which
> would connect to the WAN port on the router. At least, that would be the
> best approach, as then you could use your portable to access the 'net
> even when the desktop PC is turned off.

So might as well use the laptops redundant USB modem with the desktop ?

> Alternatively I think you could run Internet Connection Sharing on your
> desktop PC and still use your internal ADSL modem. In this case the
> routing and firewall features of the router would not be used, and a
> simple WAP plus a basic hub would do the job. Software firewalls are
> available though.
> It seems to me, and other have advised me similarly, that a hardware
> solution is better.

I currently use Sygate personal firewall on the laptop and the desktop, can
this still be used with the router ?

> I'd check out that WAP/router carefully as it says 'cable only' in the
> heading, although it does mention DSL in the smaller text. Personally I
> prefer brand name products, as there more support available, either from
> the manufacturers or informally from other users.

I agree but the product is somewhat cheaper than others, it will work with
any DSL ISP I'm told