What do I need to share one DSL line between 2 computers? (wireless)

Is a router and a wireless adapter all I need? Does the computer with the DSL modem need to be on for the second computer to use the connection?

Go to your local computer store and tell them what you want (Best Buy, CompUSA, etc.) You need a wireless hub. Each computer will also need an ethernet card that will work with a wireless network. This is a common thing to do these days, and even the mental midgets at Best Buy will know what you need.

Note that wireless isn’t perfect. Some people complain of speed degredation. You may want to considered Wired instead. The Ethernet cards will certainly be less expensive.

…and no, you don’t need to have the “first” computer on to use the second connection. The “split” occurs before the computers.

That is (to really simplify this), imagine two lamps plugged into one extension cord. You don’t need to have one on for the other to work.

We have this option for customers.
With the USB 500, customers can connect between 2 up to 4 computers which can all access different web pages on the Internet at the same time from one Broadband connection utilising the Wireless Network and setting up Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in windows. Laptops can be carried around the house or into the garden while still connected to the Internet.

XXXXX XXXXX have authorised the sale of WLAN to USB 500 customers, even though the USB 500 is a “single user” access product. This is because, unlike the Ethernet products, the main computer (the one connected to the home 500 ADSL modem) has to be powered on and have a Wireless device attached to it for any other computer (also fitted with a wireless device) to network – even though all computers can access different web pages or be doing different applications at the same time.

The DSL modem would normally plug into the wireless router, and that would act as a stand-alone system. Then you could use a wired line to connect the computer the DSL modem was connected to. Even wireless routers usually have a few wired ports. And the new computer would need the wireless card of course.

That way you don’t have to keep the computer on anymore, and you can ditch the crappy login software as a bonus.

When you say, “the computer with the DSL modem…”, what exactly do you mean?

I assume your DSL service comes in on a telephone jack. A cord from that jack goes into your “DSL modem”. An ethernet cable runs from your modem to your computer?

Is that correct? If so…

Does your modem have more jacks for other ethernet cables?

Does your computer have any special software for the DSL service installed (such as PPPoE)?

Generally, what you will want is a Wireless Access Point combined with a DSL Router, and then Wireless adapters for each computer.

Your DSL phone jack will plug into the DSL modem. The DSL modem will use an ethernet cable to plug into your DSL Router/Wireless Access Point. That device will allow properly configured computers with Wireless Adapters to connect to it, and it will likely include an ethernet switch that will allow you plug in other “wired” computers as well.

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend any USB solution for this.

Does that answer your question?

Here is some more stuff I have copied and pasted from our briefings. Dont ask me what it means, to read it would only take up my valuable surfing time.
XXXXX have partnered with XXXXXX - the home and small business networking leader – to bring to market an exciting Wireless Network (WLAN) product operating on the 802.11b Wi-Fi global standard. WLAN gives customers with multiple PC’s (any mix of either desktop or laptop) the ability to share Internet and Network access, while simultaneously granting them the freedom to set up solutions to wirelessly transport their laptop(s) around the home with broadband connection speeds. We offer a Wireless desktop USB adapter (simply plugs into a spare USB port – no opening up of the computer is required) and a Wireless Laptop card which fits into a standard PCMCIA slot on any Laptop . They cost £86 each including VAT and are bought outright by the customer. The customer can buy any mix of 2 cards in a “starter pack” for £172 inc vat and, if needed, buy up to two additional cards at the same time (total 4 cards). So a consumer customer can buy 2, 3 or 4 cards for each Home 500(USB) Internet access product they have. Please note: The “Wireless Access Point” is only available to Ethernet customers.

Another consideration: you will need permission from your DSL provider to have more than one machine live on the internet. My sucky contract with Quest only allows one connection, and my contract is for what is now my slowest computer… I got DSL for online gaming, and the computer is too slow for me to play online.