Mac Forum / General / Networking / November 2005

You need a DSL modem because you are multiplexing your analog
voice signal along with your digital data signal on the same line.  
Also your computer connects via ethernet (and in some cases there
are USB connections, but that is less common).  The DSL modem
converts between the signals sent by the DSL provider and the what
your computer can talk.

Depending on your DSL provider they will provide you with a simple
DSL Modem, or they may provide you with a router/DSL modem combo,
and sometimes you can get a WiFi/Router/DSL modem combo box.

You do not need to buy a router, but if your DSL provider only
provides you with a simple DSL modem, then you would be well
advised to purchase your own router (http://dealmac.com or similar
site).  A router is not very expensive, and well worth the price.

You should not really plug your DSL modem into your switch.  You
can do this, but it is not recommended.  A router would be much
better.

                                       Bob Harris

I guess I wasn't clear.  The router, you'd have to buy on your own.  A
router will run maybe $40.00, and it will let you connect multiple
machines to a single DSL source.

And I don't know why they call it a modem, unless it is because the DSL
is often over a phone line and you use modems with telco lines?  Maybe?  
But whatever they call it, it plugs into a phone line and you plug your
Mac into it.

H.

Yes, they mean something else; a DSL "modem" or a cable "modem" are not
true modems, but they are needed to interface ethernet with the
protocols used by DSL or digital cable, respectively.

Unless you have a bank of static IP addresses from the DSL provider or
the DSL modem has multiple ports, you will need a router.  With the bank
of static IP addresses, you will still need a hub or a switch.

"Modem" is a bad choice of word which is, I believe, simply used so as not
to confuse the average non-expert person in the street (most people
understand that to connect your computer to the Internet via a phone line
you need a modem, so the word has kind of stuck). They wouldn't understand
what an Ethernet to ATM gateway is (and that's actually what a DSL "modem"
does) so the marketing people stuck with "modem".

Going back to the original question (part of which was "can I plug my modem
into a router"), many years ago I did come across a router with a USB port
into which you could plug the Alcatel SpeedTouch modem (the little thing
that looked like a verdigris-laden baby stingray). It was a brand I'd never
heard of (and thus can't remember now). These days ADSL-capable routers are
do inexpensive that you might as well go out and get a NetGear DG834 or
similar and be done with it. I've got about half a dozen of these in various
client locations, they take minutes to set up, and they just work (five year
warranty, too, if I remember correctly).

One word of warning: if you do decide to look at alternative brands, check
the specs to make sure the router you choose does indeed have an ADSL
interface. There are many routers on the market that call themselves
"broadband routers" when actually their WAN interface is an RJ-45 Ethernet
socket, and you still need an ADSL-to-Ethernet box.

David C

Make sure that the 'modem' they give you is not, repeat, NOT a USB device.
USB 'modems' require drivers. The drivers break whenever Apple does a dot
upgrade to the OS for absolute certain, and have been known to break when
there's a dot dot upgrade. (If you have 10.3 and move to 10.4, the drivers
will break for sure; they might also break between 10.4.0 and 10.4.3, but
that's less likely.) Also, USB 'modems' can't be used with routers. Finally,
even if they include a 'modem' with the package, they'll charge you a
'nominal' rental for it. BellSouth around here gives you a 'modem' for
'free'; the fine print in the contract shows that they'll start charging
$5-$10 per month, depending on the exact 'modem', after the first year.
CompUSA has a Ethernet DSL device for sale which is supposed to work with
BellSouth's service, and costs $100. It's got a router and a four-port switch
built in. There's another one, for $70, which has USB (not supported on Macs)
DSL, and a single Ethernet port. (The box states that it's for Qwest DSL, but
as DSL is DSL is DSL, I expect that it'll work anywhere there's DSL service.)
Four-port routers cost $30-50. You do the math...

Note that this is all theoretical to me, BellSouth declines to make DSL
available in my area, I'm stuck with (barf) Adelphia cable. It could be
worse. It could be dial-up. Or, worse still, it could be Completely
Worthless, a.k.a Cable & Wireless.

Final note: I have an old Alcatel SpeedTouch DSL device with a one-port
router built in, plus a Linksys four-port router, just sitting around. I used
them to talk to Cable & Wireless's DSL non-service when I was outside the US.
(Yes, I have American standard power supplies for them, and they use American
standard RJ-45s and RJ-11s...) Going, cheap, as BellSouth shows no intention
of ever setting up DSL service around here.

Thanks for the advice. I'll wait and see what I get from the ISP, reckon
I know what to do now.

Andy

So how many computers can you connect to this router?  4?  (A good idea
for the ISP to get you something with some built-in security and
functionality.  You are lucky!)

H.

You got DSL service from BellSloth? You must be living right. I'm stuck with
Adelphia...