What type ADSL modem?

[odin]

Ello ppl,

My father wants to get ADSL. He has a crummy old PII with (I guess) the V1 variant of USB.

He wished to get USB. The Tel. co. here in NL offers a variaty of ADSL modems.

What are pro's and con's of getting a USB or ethernet ADSL modem. Also I figure it's possible to add a router behind the ADSL modem at a later point?

Last, are there any certain brands/models of ADSL modem he should be wary of?

[whabang]

USB:
   Pros:
      bus-powered
      cheaper?
   Cons:
      Hard to find drivers for anything but Mac and Windows.
      Can't be connected to a router unless a computer act as a router.


Internal PCI card:
   Pros:
      internal
   Cons:
      Probably hard to find drivers for.
      Don't work as a router unless the computer acts as one.

External ADSL modem connected to the NIC:
   Pros:
      Can be connected to allmost anything.
      Can work as a router.
   Cons:
      external
      Needs its own power supply.


Personally, I use a Topcom Webracer USB modem. Has worked perfectly so far...

[Colin_Camper]

My current set up has an eicon diva dsl modem and an SMC barricade router.
It's a lot cheaper and easier to get a modem/router - eg Netgear. I have installed several of these.
If you go self-install all you need is the router/modem and splitter(s) - works out the same as going the crappy USB modem route but a LOT better. ;-)

[Rigger]

I'm currently using a Nortel Networks model NTEX35. No problems or complaints for me.

[Crumb]

The ethernet routers 3com office connect are quite common in spain and work fairly well.

[Tafka]

I'd go ethernet any day.  Far more flexible.

You can connect an Amiga easier!

[Rigger]

I'd agree, put a router between you and the dsl modem. Or better yet an old $50 P133 and built a linux router/nat/gateway/server.

[redrumloa]

I'd go with the external ethernet model any day of the week. Trying to share a connection using anything else is a mind ****.