USB 1.1 for DSL Modem okay?

[roger]

I have my DSL modem connected to a USB 1.1 port, because my computer is old and has neither USB 2.0 or Ethernet. Add on cards to support either are cheap, however. My modem supports both USB 2.0 and Ethernet. Can I expect a performance increase by switching to USB 2.0 or Ethernet, and, if so, which would be better?

[Brian]

The cable company out here always says to use ethernet. For what it's worth.
Fortunatly, if you want to check it out a ethernet card is only $10.

[Stimpson J. Cat]

How fast is your DSL? USB 1.1 is only 12Mbit, but DSL is rarely more than 2 or 3 Mbit, so it should be fine.

Upgrading to USB 2.0 or ethernet is probably not going to have much effect, unless the modem is not working properly on USB 1.1. Of course, if you want to use other USB devices in combination with it, then it could be a problem. Then again, if you are using USB devices which require significant bandwidth, you should probably switch to USB 2.0 anyway.


Dr. Stupid

[El Greco]

Almost everyone I've talked to says go Ethernet. It uses fewer system resources overall.

[evildave]

You could always get a 10/100 Ethernet adapter for your USB port... they're cheap. Even at 100Mb speed, it will still be 11Mb for the USB 1.1 port. Of course, you could get a USB2 card for the PC abd a USB2 10/100 Ethernet adapter, and they're both cheap, too.

Of course, for mega-cheap, you could invest $3 for a 10/100 network card and be done with it.

Of course, I would assume whatever firewall was on the DSL MODEM would be active on either port.

If it has a built-in router (virtually all new ones do), then ethernet all the way, as the MODEM can plug into a switch and be shared by more than one computer in the house without dinking with the Microsoft 'shared network' that never seems to work right and requires the connected computer to be running (and ethernet cards, anyway).

Then you can get a Wireless access point to plug into that and sit up in bed with your notebook.

[roger]

Looks like I should pick up a cheap ethernet card. Besides freeing up one of my badly needed USB ports, it'll give me networking, as Dave points out. Thanks for the advice!

[LJRuss]

One problem, most USB modems are that only....USB. Not ethernet capable. Check it out first before getting the ethernet card. It it has both a usb port and and RJ-45 ethernet port, then you are ok.

Ethernet is better as it has some hardware attributes for assembling the packets as they arrive and asking for lost packets should they not. USB is incapable of doing this as well as ethernet. USB is based on direct connect peripherals and not on area based systems. Great for cameras, printers, external hard drives et. al, but not for true inter-computer connections.

If your modem is strictly USB, then set up a router that has both USB AND ETHERNET ports and get an ethernet card for your puter. As evil said, this permits a wider range of connectivity with other puters you may have.

DSL download speed is usually 768 kps to 1.5 mps. Cable can hit 3 mps. A 10 mps card can more than handle this. a 10/100 card only helps if you have a local network with a few computers to take advantage of the 100 mps speed for file sharing.

Enjoy and Happy New Year........Lee

[roger]

Yup, I did check to make sure it had an ethernet connection before posting this :)

[LJRuss]

Sorry, was quite tired when first read your post, also would have been good idea to have my glasses on.

Ethernet fur shure dude. And cable is cheaper than USB to boot.

[egslim]

I'd go for Ethernet, not because of bandwidth, but for two other reasons: Lower CPU load and because not all USB ports are capable of delivering enough power to the modem. This could cause an unstable internet connection.