With the increase of families wanting to share their broadband connection, more and more non-technical consumers are failing in common traps that could easily be avoided.
Simple and Easy
Fortunately in America, the majority of ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) offer an Ethernet Cable or DSL modem with their service allowing for the consumer to just buy a piece of hardware called a Cable/DSL router (better known as a Broadband router), plug this in the modem and hey presto. After some initial configuration your computers will be happily sharing the broadband connection.
Across the Pond
Europe, especially in the UK has a different approach to America on how our Broadband connections are presented. The main penetration of Broadband within Europe is ADSL upon were nearly all the ISP’s bundle in a free USB ADSL Modems with their service. A free modem is a good deal but there is a catch! USB ADSL modems are good for using your broadband connection with 1 computer but they are bad when it comes to sharing your connection. Due to the USB modems limitations, some ISP take the approach to exploit the consumer’s lack of knowledge by cleverly advertising their low end broadband packages can only be used with one computer. If the consumer decides they want to share their broadband connection then they are normally duped into upgrading to a more expensive monthly package that apparently supports sharing where the previous low end package doesn’t - This is not entirely true. The hardware might not support sharing but the actual broadband line doesn’t care if you perform sharing. The truth is any type of broadband connection will allow you to share if you have the right hardware.
Broadband Routers
Any type of broadband connection will allow you to share with the right hardware.
You’re looking to share your broadband connection then? What you need is a router. Routers allow you to simultaneously share your connection among multiple computers. As the router supports any operating system, you can happily use your Mac, Linux, Windows computers with the router. One of the most attractive aspects of the router is that it’s a stand alone piece of hardware that takes control of your broadband connection. This eliminates the need for the main PC to be switched on for the other computers to access the Internet. Another main benefit with routers is they offer Internet protection by the means of SPI firewalls. These firewalls aid in the prevention of malicious hackers gaining access to your home computers.
Can I have that without cables please?
When routers first came out, the preferred choice was using Ethernet cabling to connect the Ethernet enabled computers to the router. Ethernet offers reliable high speed local connectivity but the prospect of network cables trailing around your home doesn’t sound appealing. Queue wireless routers! Over the years, wireless technology has evolved to the point where wireless routers allow your wireless enabled computers to communicate via harmless radio waves without the need of cables. With a wireless enabled laptop, you can freely roam around within your wireless network area or have your wirelessly enabled desktop computer in a different room.
Difference between ADSL and Broadband Routers.
On the market there are two main types of routers – Broadband routers and ADSL routers. Broadband routers require an external Ethernet modem to operate. While ADSL routers have built-in ADSL modems. The Pro and cons are
•ADSL routers will only operate on ADSL connections. Broadband routers with the appropriate modem can operate on any type of connection (Cable or DSL) offering the flexibility to change broadband technology.
•Broadband router with a modem require two power supplies and take up more space while an ADSL routers offer a nice simple single power supply solution.
•Broadband routers are more prone to compatibility issues with the modems than ADSL routers with built-in modems.
You’re not alone
If you’re still confused, then there are specialist sites like
www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk that have online wizards, offer unbiased pre-sales and post-sales support to aid you in making the right decision and assist if problems arise.
Disclaimer
We endeavour for the information within this free article to be as accurate as possible. This article is not guaranteed by Broadbandbuyer for the accuracy of the information nor be used for any purpose. Broadbandbuyer shall not be liable for damages relating to any use or misuse of information from this article.
About the Author
Offering solutions for home consumers to medium size businesses. Broadbandbuyer.co.uk is the leading UK specialist in Broadband and Networking. www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk