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So - given I currently use only 2 wi-fi adaptors ad-hoc networking and ICS to share the current dialup link -
I could just get a USB ADSL modem and share that the same way (£50 ish)
What benefit would a wireless router + ethernet modem bring (£100 + £50) ? I know they usually do nice firewall stuff but currenty I use the XP built in firewall for dummies. I could use one of the multitude of freebie software firewalls if any of them are better but the probes at www.grc.com give me a clean bill of health already. I don't intend to run a server on the connection.
benefits of dedicated routers are:
1) no need to keep your main ICS PC running
2) better configurability - these devices were created for that purpose
3) AFAIK ad-hoc networking is only good for few PCs - some people who do meshes would probably disagree, to be honest I don't know details since I just gone "routers" approach which works nicely and not that expensive.
Thanks - nothing new to me there - I was wondering if there was anything concrete to justify the extra £100 (other than an additional box to prat around with and curse over)
I use my laptop as my main web browsing machine and usb is far handier than ethernet for that so I'd be tempted to get a usb modem - do any routers that you know of accept a usb modem should I decide later on a router or is usb a dead-end move?
Or rather not curse over - I've had a cheap 4 port ADSL router (£47) running for over a year without a single problem as far as it is concerned.
Other equipment, costing thousands of pounds - now thats another matter - but this £47 beauty just sits there - working. Best £50 I ever spent (if you include the consumed electricity since then).
Of course it's not WiFi, but I'm making a point about routers in general. If your PC goes belly up (which is more likely) the other kit on your network will be unaffected.
PCs consume a lot more power too.
My only problem is that next week I have to move - and the place I have chosen doesnt have ADSL :rolleyes
I've decide to buy one anyway - should get it Friday. I'll just use it as a wireless access point and buy an ADSL modem nearer the great day when the exchange is upgraded (29 August no doubt slipping to January)
Sorry I should have elucidated - my £47 router is also a four port Ethernet switch - so can easily support a good sized LAN as long as you restrict internet access.
It will also support the new 2mb business ADSL links.
I think they're a bit more expensive now - at about £75, but still extremely good value for money.
