ADSL connection in rented room. What to look out for?

hamster

Hi,

I'm moving into shared accommdation (single room) that has an ADSL connection. This is being shared around to another bedroom. I'm told I need an ADSL modem. I have a recent P4 laptop (but USB1.1 and 10/100 network card). I'm not familar with ADSL having only Dial up until now. The previous owner of the room is selling his modem. What should I look out for ? The rent includes the cost of the ADSL connection.

* Is there usually a problem with a Cap limit (ADSL)?

* How does kind of connection does an eternal connection ADSL modem need? Can it go from the modem to my network card via a cat-5 cable or via the USB port? As I understand ADSL is 100 faster than a dialup 56K modem....

* How much should I pay for a typical external ADSL modem?

I'm sure I'm missing something else I should be asking?

Thanks,
Hamster.

sceptre

Originally posted by hamster
* Is there usually a problem with a Cap limit (ADSL)?

Depends which service you're signed up to. If the rent of the room includes the cost of the connection, the person you're renting from knows.

* How does kind of connection does an eternal connection ADSL modem need? Can it go from the modem to my network card via a cat-5 cable or via the USB port?

Either or. Depends on the modem. There are a few thread in the Broadband forum discussing different brands of modem.

As I understand ADSL is 100 faster than a dialup 56K modem....

Only if you're an Eircom salesman or are developing DSL in a lab. Or had an unusable connection before. There's no commercially available ADSL in this country that goes anywhere near 100 times faster than 56k. More like 5, 10 or 20, depending on whether your service is 256k, 512k or 1Mb.

* How much should I pay for a typical external ADSL modem?

Have a look in the Broadband forum for reviews/prices/etc.

I'm sure I'm missing something else I should be asking?

Don't think so to be honest. Yopu will need to know who the service is with though in case you ever have problems.

hamster

Thanks for advice sceptre!

I've looked around and found a bewildering number of options. I now know I definitely need an external ADSL modem. But I'm confused if I need anything else.

In summary, I have a laptop with:
* internal 10/100 network card
* 2 usb slots

What more could I need after an external DSL modem, ie can the nework card be used to connect to the DSL modem with a cat-5 cable?

MrPinK

Your choices are either an ethernet modem for about €100 that will plug into your network card (they'll even throw in your cat5 cable for free ) or a USB modem for about €80. You can get both types a bit cheaper if you're willing to buy from overseas tho. The ethernet modems tend to be a bit more reliable and have less problems because they don't use any software, but a USB modem will more than likely do you just fine if you want to save a bit of cash. That's all the equipment you'll need.

MrPinK

Just been re-reading your original post. If you're sharing a connection with someone else in another room, you wouldn't use a second modem. What you need is one modem between the 2 of you and a router to share the connection. You can also get routers with a built in modem. The router will connect to your network card with cat5 the same as an ethernet modem would.

pete

I'd be worried about people running packet sniffing software in that situation....