question netgear fa411

[Duce]

Looks like a standard RJ45 jack in the arse end of it to me.  All you'd need would be a CAT5 cable of adequate length to run from the card/Amiga to your router.

[Duce]

Personally, I would always go with the router method vs. the ad-hoc method.

Pros of routers:  NAT protection (better than nothing, but not bullet proof by any means), inbuilt DHCP services, network management options aplenty, room for future growth, etc.  A decent Amiga TCP/IP stack will support DHCP so hopefully it's as easy as plug and play, for the most part.  Using a link to a laptop requires the laptop being present, noodling around setting up IP addresses for the ad-hoc connection, etc.  Last consumer grade router I bought was about $35 and worked a treat with my old A1200 back then, but I've switched to bigger iron routers since (Cisco in a rack).  Was completely plug and play and didn't require another machine being on and present.  If you go the router method, make sure you have admin privs on the WAN side disabled for security - and always change the inbuilt, default logon credentials (logon name, password) even if WAN side admin rights are disabled as they should be.

You mention you have several routers laying about, minus power bricks.  Can always take a peek on the back of said routers, note the voltage and amperage required (look it up on the manufacturers website if you need to), and you should be able to pick up a power supply brick for a few bucks at a Radio Shack type store.  On the consumer end of things, I've always been a fan of the WRT style routers.

As for cables, a straight through cable will be used from a router to a PC.  A Crossover cable will be needed for switch to switch type connections.  Both will need to be CAT5 (8 wire/4 pair) rated for good measure.

Good luck!

[Duce]

Not sure why anyone would find it desirable to link to another machine when routers offer far more security, room for expansion, and they don't require a master machine.  But whatever works for you - routers these days are cheaper than a flat of beer, is all.  I just couldn't be bothered to be reliant on a master/host machine when a 4 port router can feed internet to multiple machines without the need of having a PC backfeeding via clumsy ad hoc.

Worth it for the built in NAT and DHCP alone, to me.  Cable/DSL modem to router via ethernet, ethernet to all the machines on the network with no need for a host/feeder ad hoc machine and all that, etc.

The ad hoc method works, but what happens if that machine keels over, gets left at work, gets stolen, etc?  With a router it wouldn't matter cause you are not reliant on a host machine for net.  I just find ad hoc inelegant for anything other than very temporary connections.  So much nicer to just have 4 (or more) open RJ45 ports on a router that you can plug anything you like into with zero configuration on the computer end required and no other host computer needed, be it an Amiga, or be it a buddy that drops by with an XBox or something.  Internet should be as easy to use as AC power, open ports, plug and play - and a $20 router does that.