# Can I network this?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2002, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057 "2002-09-05T01:15:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/1 "2002-09-05T01:15:14Z")
I have an alcatel 4060 speedstream DSL modem USB interface. I was hoping to find a way to plug it into a wireless router/switch (ex: linksys befw11s4) for sharing and networking 3-4 machines. I am planning on having a lot of friends visiting for network parties so USB external wireless NIC’s seemed like a beautiful option. Problem is the alcatel 4060 is a USB device there is no way I can imagine to plug my DSL into the router. What would be the best way to connect this modem to a router or switch? Is there a USB-RJ45 adapter of some kind? Would I be better off buying a new more “router friendly” DSL modem? Can I pass it through my PC out through a NIC to the router? ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/2 "2002-09-05T02:02:34Z")
You should be able to hook the DSL modem up to one PC, then connect that PC to the wireless switch. Use [Internet Connection Sharing](http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/ics) to give the other machines access. You’ll need Win98SE or later. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/3 "2002-09-05T02:39:24Z")
I should mention that you won’t have any security this way. Anyone in range with a wireless NIC will be able to connect directly to your network. I don’t know if the Linksys has features to restrict access, but it’s worth looking into. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/4 "2002-09-07T14:36:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Number \* > \*\*I should mention that you won’t have any security this way. Anyone in range with a wireless NIC will be able to connect directly to your network. I don’t know if the Linksys has features to restrict access, but it’s worth looking into. \*\* Is the security issue affected by going through the PC rather than straight to router/switch. Or just the obvious wireless issue. Stray signals should not be too much of a problem since I have a brick house and according to linksys the router/switch I was inquiring about “should experience nearly 100% signal loss penetrating 6” of brick" Supposedly there is also a hardware encryption system of some kind to cut down on intercepts. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/5 "2002-09-07T16:55:25Z")
It’s mostly the wireless issue. The ICS PC will hand out an IP address to any machine on the LAN that requests one (make sure you disable any DHCP or NAT features on the switch). If the signals can’t get out of the house then there’s nothing to worry about. You could test it by taking a laptop to various points outside the house and trying **IPCONFIG /RENEW** (or equivalent). If it can’t pick up an IP then you should be ok. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/6 "2002-09-07T17:26:52Z")
You’ve got few problems. Firstly, the [4060 speedstream DSL modem](http://www.provantage.com/scripts/go.dll/-s/fp_58351) USB interface is a USB 1.1 only device. What this means in real world terms is that, depending on the specific speed of your cable connection, you have a significant built in throughput bottleneck with respect to being able to maximize throughput, which is absolutely critical if you intend on supplying data to a multi node wireless network connection via the cable modem. Secondly, IIRC USB to NIC adapters generally depend on a software translation layer to work which is not possible (so far as I know) with a non-PC mediated hardware to hardware connection (ie cable modem to router) before it gets to the PC. Thirdly, to have efficient sharing of a single cable network address the address needs to be intercepted and distributed via a router/switch (like the Linksys) before it gets to the PC(s). Get a NIC based cable modem to use with the Linksys and sell your USB only cable modem on Ebay. You can get an ADSL cable modem for $ 90- 200 or so. If your cable ISP provider likes the Speedsteam (they're somewhat expensive as modems go BTW) here is dual mode USB/NIC unit [for 197.00]([http://www.buy.com/retail/product\_jump.asp?sku=10304570](http://www.buy.com/retail/product_jump.asp?sku=10304570)) from www. [buy.com](http://buy.com). > [@](#): > > SPEEDSTREAM 5667 ADSL ENET CARD -The SpeedStream 5667 Dual USB/Ethernet DSL modem’s dual interface is almost like two products for the price of one. Users get the flexibility of connecting using effortless Plug and Play USB or with convenient Ethernet ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/7 "2002-09-07T17:28:08Z")
“ **a** few problems” ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-network-this/127057/8 "2002-09-09T16:09:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > What this means in real world terms is that, depending on the specific speed of your cable connection, you have a significant built in throughput bottleneck with respect to being able to maximize throughput, which is absolutely critical if you intend on supplying data to a multi node wireless network connection via the cable modem. So far I have seen a max of 165 kb/sec looks like the modem does ok so far > [@](#): > > Secondly, IIRC USB to NIC adapters generally depend on a software translation layer to work which is not possible (so far as I know) with a non-PC mediated hardware to hardware connection (ie cable modem to router) before it gets to the PC. > Thirdly, to have efficient sharing of a single cable network address the address needs to be intercepted and distributed via a router/switch (like the Linksys) before it gets to the PC(s). Get a NIC based cable modem to use with the Linksys and sell your USB only cable modem on Ebay. Problem will be most likely solved via a server. Old p200 w/PCI usb card and a NIC out to the switch. All I need for it is a NIC. Also makes a great utility net browser machine for checking mail and such without interrupting anyone playing games needing the bigger machines on the network.