Broadband -Overkill?

[Herewegoagain]

The short answer is yes you can.

For hardware, you would need an ethernet card to connect to either a cable modem or DSL modem.  The version of DSL modem available to you depends on the area you are in usually.  In the US, if you request an ethernet based modem, they will give you one, but otherwise you'll wind up with a USB modem which would need drivers.  The ethernet card should come with a networking software of some type.  My Ariadne II card came with Genesis, and I've got it connecting my 040 based A3000 to the internet through my Cable modem and a Linksys router.  Works great.  

[Herewegoagain]

As I recall, the AmigaOne is supposed to have 10/100 Mpbs hardware on-board. (Any one care to confirm this?) I don't see USB-only broadband modems being an option for alittle while, at least

You are right about the AmigaOne.   But if he has a PPC Amiga already, he can just add an ethernet card and go.

The more important problem is wether your prospective broadband provider uses DHCP or PPPoE.

Exactly.  If it is a cable modem, it's standard DHCP, but DSL is usually PPPoE (or PPPoA).

[Herewegoagain]

Its the one thats NOT supported !!

Right, but he didn't say what kind of broadband.  It maybe cable.  But if it is DSL and has ethernet on the modem, he can still put a router in there to do the PPPoE stuff.  It's the PPPoA that will cause problems.  But as someone else pointed out recently, there are some routers now that will even connect to some USB modems.  

You didn't think we would get it easy did you??

Nope.  It never is for Amiga!

We have to go all the usual rig maroll crap just to get online.... Nothing sensible, like just plugging in a USB modem and its working!!

Yeah, but that is again, only if he is using a USB modem.  Which at this point, is not an option for Amiga (well, you can plug it in but you won't have any drivers)   :-D

[Herewegoagain]

That may not always be true. PPPoE can be used on a cablemodem system and may be easier to manage that DHCP in some cases. You have to ask before getting the service.

Well, maybe.  I've dealt with Adelphia and Time Warner Cable (Road Runner) and they both use DHCP.  At least in this area.  I've never heard of them offering PPPoE service, but maybe they do, I've never asked either one.

Based on my experiance with USB-connected cable modems, I don't think they're much of an option for Windows, much less Amiga. I had no end of problems including intermittant connection loss and machine crashes when my IP changed.

Exactly.  This is the same thing I hear from so many people who are using a USB based cable modem.  That's why when people ask my opinion as they are about to get Cable or DSL, I always tell them that which ever way they go, be sure and ask for an ethernet capable modem.  It makes the most sense to put a router in there and let it do your firewall, and that makes sharing between a couple of computers a snap at the same time.

[Herewegoagain]

"tcp / ip stacks...."
I'm afraid I don't understand what you're talking about, can you or somebody else explain?
Thanks....

TCP/IP is basically a protocol that gets bound to your network card (I'll try to keep it simple) so that it obtains a network number to communicate with other computers on the same network, in this case, the internet.  This number is issued by a server from your ISP which is called a DHCP server.  Once you connect,  the DHCP server issues your computer a number so you can communitcate over this network.  It also issues gateway, and DNS numbers to allow proper routing of everything.  

It's not important to understand how it all works, as most of this will happen automatically for you with a router.  You will only have to set the router to use PPPoE and put in your user account and password info.  Normally, this will be all that is required.  And you can usually configure the router via a web browser.  The router will then act as the DHCP server for all of your computers locally on your internal network.  I hope this helps understand a little more.