Connecting a USB Modem to an Internet Router

[CJB]

I have a laptop with Windows XP Media Centre on it.

I now have the BT line up and running on ADSL. Demon have sent me a
Speedtouch 330 modem which works OK. It is a USB modem which is a pain
'cos I only have two USB ports on the laptop and I need those for
peripherals. However I can now connect to the Internet - albeit a bit
slow.

The laptop also has an Internet port (I think) which I'd prefer to
use.

Now I want to set up a wireless router and have a Linksys Wireless-G.
Unfortunately this only has an Internet port for the modem to connect
into. But the modem only has a USB type cable.

Please can anyone advise how I can connect a USB type modem to an
Internet connection on the router.

Many thanks - CJB.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

I have a laptop with Windows XP Media Centre on it.

I now have the BT line up and running on ADSL. Demon have sent me a
Speedtouch 330 modem which works OK. It is a USB modem which is a pain
'cos I only have two USB ports on the laptop and I need those for
peripherals. However I can now connect to the Internet - albeit a bit
slow.

I know I'm going to feel foolish for asking this, but did you ask BT whether
they'd send you a non-USB modem?

The laptop also has an Internet port (I think) which I'd prefer to
use.

You can find out if you have an Ethernet card if you go to control panel |
hardware | device manager .

Now I want to set up a wireless router and have a Linksys Wireless-G.
Unfortunately this only has an Internet port for the modem to connect
into. But the modem only has a USB type cable.

Please can anyone advise how I can connect a USB type modem to an
Internet connection on the router.

Many thanks - CJB.

You might see whether the Draytek router reviewed at
http://practicallynetworked.com/review.asp?pid=427 works for you - it has a
USB WAN interface, so you could theoretically connect your DSL modem to it,
then connect the rest of your network using Ethernet. It has a 4-port
Ethernet switch built in, so you could connect your computer and a wireless
access point to it. I don't think you'll want to use your Linksys device if
it's actually a router - you really just want an access point.

 

[CJB]

Thank you very much for your response and help.

I have a BT line, and a newly installed ADSL / broadband service from
ISP Demon (UK).

The Speedtouch 330 USB-modem was provided as a package deal by Demon.
It works OK.

I need all of the USB ports on my laptop for peripherals.

Demon do not provide a NON-USB modem.

The Linksys WRT54GS-UK router comes with RJ45 ports only. It does not
have a USB port. Thats the problem.

It appears that it is not possible to convert a USB cable (from modem)
for use with an Ethernet (RJ45) socket (on router).

Wireless routers with inbuilt modems seem to be a tad expensibe, and
I'm not sure which one to purchase. Noe are availbale (or supported) by
Demon.

The Linksys router (and many others) only comes with RJ45 ports, yet
USB modems seem to be the most popular.

Wireless routers with a USB port are VERY hard to find - apparently
none in the Linksys range.

Demon broadband is PPoA, whereas the Linksys router is PPPoE -
incompatible with each other.

CJB.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Thank you very much for your response and help.

I have a BT line, and a newly installed ADSL / broadband service from
ISP Demon (UK).

The Speedtouch 330 USB-modem was provided as a package deal by Demon.
It works OK.

I need all of the USB ports on my laptop for peripherals.

Demon do not provide a NON-USB modem.

Grrr. Bastidges.

The Linksys WRT54GS-UK router comes with RJ45 ports only. It does not
have a USB port. Thats the problem.

Yes, that's why I recommended you look at the Draytek and also get a
different piece of hardware for your wireless (just a plain old access
point).

It appears that it is not possible to convert a USB cable (from modem)
for use with an Ethernet (RJ45) socket (on router).
Nope.

Wireless routers with inbuilt modems seem to be a tad expensibe, and
I'm not sure which one to purchase. Noe are availbale (or supported)
by Demon.

That's probably not the right road to go down anyway.

The Linksys router (and many others) only comes with RJ45 ports, yet
USB modems seem to be the most popular.

No, I don't think they're the most common. Not in the States, anyway. Maybe
in the UK. I've seen lots of BT users with this setup. It always stinks.

Wireless routers with a USB port are VERY hard to find - apparently
none in the Linksys range.

Right - don't use it. You really just need an access point. And you need a
separate router that can connect via USB on the WAN interface, such as that
Draytek.

Demon broadband is PPoA, whereas the Linksys router is PPPoE -
incompatible with each other.

I don't think you'll be able to use your Linksys device at all. I'm not sure
whether the Draytek supports PPPoA but you should check out the link I
posted before.
Also see
http://experts.about.com/q/General-Networking-Lan-1049/PPPoA-vs-PPPoE.htm

The only other option you've really got is to get a USB hub, and use
internet connection sharing on your current computer - not sure how you can
get wireless into the mix. USB-only modems stink.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

I seem to recall, a few ago, that you might be able to locate a USB broad band
router. I believe that it allowed a USB DSL/cable unit to be shared over a
network.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2200usb.html

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2200usb.html

Precisely the product referred to in the link I originally posted.

In

Thank you very much for your response and help.

I have a BT line, and a newly installed ADSL / broadband service
from ISP Demon (UK).

The Speedtouch 330 USB-modem was provided as a package deal by
Demon. It works OK.

I need all of the USB ports on my laptop for peripherals.

Demon do not provide a NON-USB modem.

Grrr. Bastidges.

The Linksys WRT54GS-UK router comes with RJ45 ports only. It does
not have a USB port. Thats the problem.

Yes, that's why I recommended you look at the Draytek and also get a
different piece of hardware for your wireless (just a plain old
access point).

It appears that it is not possible to convert a USB cable (from
modem) for use with an Ethernet (RJ45) socket (on router).
Nope.

Wireless routers with inbuilt modems seem to be a tad expensibe, and
I'm not sure which one to purchase. Noe are availbale (or supported)
by Demon.

That's probably not the right road to go down anyway.

The Linksys router (and many others) only comes with RJ45 ports, yet
USB modems seem to be the most popular.

No, I don't think they're the most common. Not in the States,
anyway. Maybe in the UK. I've seen lots of BT users with this setup.
It always stinks.

Wireless routers with a USB port are VERY hard to find - apparently
none in the Linksys range.

Right - don't use it. You really just need an access point. And you
need a separate router that can connect via USB on the WAN
interface, such as that Draytek.

Demon broadband is PPoA, whereas the Linksys router is PPPoE -
incompatible with each other.

I don't think you'll be able to use your Linksys device at all. I'm
not sure whether the Draytek supports PPPoA but you should check out
the link I posted before.
Also see
http://experts.about.com/q/General-Networking-Lan-1049/PPPoA-vs-PPPoE.htm

The only other option you've really got is to get a USB hub, and use
internet connection sharing on your current computer - not sure how
you can get wireless into the mix. USB-only modems stink.

CJB.

Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] wrote:
In CJB <[email protected]> typed:
I have a laptop with Windows XP Media Centre on it.

I now have the BT line up and running on ADSL. Demon have sent me
a Speedtouch 330 modem which works OK. It is a USB modem which is
a pain 'cos I only have two USB ports on the laptop and I need
those for peripherals. However I can now connect to the Internet
- albeit a bit slow.

I know I'm going to feel foolish for asking this, but did you ask
BT whether they'd send you a non-USB modem?



The laptop also has an Internet port (I think) which I'd prefer
to use.

You can find out if you have an Ethernet card if you go to control
panel | hardware | device manager .


Now I want to set up a wireless router and have a Linksys
Wireless-G. Unfortunately this only has an Internet port for the
modem to connect into. But the modem only has a USB type cable.

Please can anyone advise how I can connect a USB type modem to an
Internet connection on the router.

Many thanks - CJB.

You might see whether the Draytek router reviewed at
http://practicallynetworked.com/review.asp?pid=427 works for you -
it has a USB WAN interface, so you could theoretically connect your
DSL modem to it, then connect the rest of your network using
Ethernet. It has a 4-port Ethernet switch built in, so you could
connect your computer and a wireless access point to it. I don't
think you'll want to use your Linksys device if it's actually a
router - you really just want an access point.