probably a silly question...

square_imp · 18 Jun 2008 at 18:34

I have a sagem modem attached to my pc with a usb cable, and to the wall with a standard telephone cable. I want to now setup my airport express so I can use wireless on my laptop and other devices in the house. The wireless express router needs an ethernet input however, can I do this? Looks like I need a cable that will do usb (from modem) to ethernet to input into the airport express, does such a cable exist and if so where can I get one? This is all very confusing I dont usually play with network / wireless stuff :confused:

many thanks,

square

tolien · 18 Jun 2008 at 18:43

You need an ethernet ADSL modem. There's no such thing as a cable that'll connect your USB modem to an ethernet port, other than a PC (and a Draytek router that was discontinued aeons ago).

square_imp · 18 Jun 2008 at 18:45

ah ok, so a USB modem like my sagem one is intrinsically different from an ethernet modem? will it be a simple exchange to swap from one to the other?

tolien · 18 Jun 2008 at 18:48

Different enough - your USB modem needs drivers and the host to function, the ethernet modem will work on it's own.
All that should be required to swap them is configuring the ethernet modem with your username and password.

Rainmaker · 18 Jun 2008 at 18:50

Why not just buy a combined modem/router? Failing that to use your existing wireless switch/router (which doesn't sound like it has an integral modem) you'd need a new ethernet modem. The Linksys AM200 is highly recommended. Personally I'd just buy a new wireless combined modem/router and have done with it

square_imp · 18 Jun 2008 at 18:58

ah should have researched a bit more, have bought my wireless router already, ah well, can pick up a standalone adsl modem for about £14 which isn't too bad. Thanks for all the help so far.

Rainmaker · 18 Jun 2008 at 19:29

Buy THIS and then update to the latest official firmware. You won't regret it

What router do you have already, out of interest?

square_imp · 18 Jun 2008 at 19:32

I have bought an apple airport base station thingy, the one that plugs into the wall. The problem with the one you suggest surely is that is doesn't offer the n wireless which was the whole point of this exercise really.

Rainmaker · 18 Jun 2008 at 19:35

You mis-understand. The one I recommended (a Linksys AM200) is just a MODEM (well technically it's a router, but you just turn on the modem part). You use the AM200 MODEM to get SYNC with your ISP, then plug it into your Airport jobby to provide it with internets. The Airport unit will provide the wireless/routing etc.

square_imp · 18 Jun 2008 at 19:58

ah I see, looks good then just is a tad expensive. Does having a more expensive / better modem make a real difference?

Rainmaker · 18 Jun 2008 at 20:02

Define difference? The Linksys AM200 has given me 1.5 megs higher SYNC than my Netgear DG834GT could, even though it doesn't match the chipset on my ISP's DSLAM (the equipment in the exchange). It's easy to set up, rock solid reliable, and works very well indeed with all available ADSL/2/2+ technologies.

When it comes to a one-off (or at least rare) purchase such as networking equipment, I find that cheaper isn't always more cheerful. The decision is yours, please don't just take my word for it. Shop around, check out different models. All I can say is I've never looked back since I switched, and the service from OcUK was top notch

square_imp · 18 Jun 2008 at 20:13

well, was convinced and have made the order, I agree that hopefully it will be a pretty rare purchase (a modem) so thought might as well. Thanks again for the information, I am a bit unsure when it comes to networking generally. Feel a bit more enlightened now.