A Question About Routers And Linux
 

Hello Experts..
I have a question about routers and linux, infact im using right now speedtouch 330 usb external modem for DSL and it seems its not going to work easlily on linux as i have to compile stuff and add something to the kernel, very complecated stuff for me as i am a total nube at linux :), so i heared that routers dont need drivers like modems to get connected to the internet is that true?
What are the steps that should be made in order to get a rouder connected to the internet 'easily' without having to make my own kernel or anything of that!?
Thanks alot guys ;)

by "router" i assume you mean a combined ADSL modem and switching router, which you would interface to via ethernet. As it's via ethernet, it just appears to be another device on your network, normally with a webserver running on it. So just like you don't need drivers to view websites on the internet, you don't need drivers to use an ethernet based ADSL router. Vastly recommended in all situations, especially when the alternative is one of those shitty speedtouch jobs.

Well, let me try to give you a low-level explanation, since I'd have had trouble understanding acid_kewpie, back in the day. :)

The main issue here is that your Modem seem to only support USB connectivity. In order to use a router, you'd need a modem that had a RJ-45 (Ethernet) port. http://www.a-c-design.com/images/con-rj45.gif
And to tell you the truth, If you have the RJ45 connectivity, you dont need the router.

If you would like to allow more people (more than one computer) to connect to your network, then the router is necesary. Once you have a modem that can be connected to your router, you can make the setup according to the router specifications.

I'd recommend a NETGEAR or Linksys router. They are very easy to setup. But truth being told, It doesnt make much of a difference.

Regards,
az

Thanks guys for the tips, i have heared that routers are much better than modems to connect to the internet.. so i thats why i was thinking about buying a one port router to get connected the the i-net.. one other thing is that the easiness of getting connect a router to the net by linux.. i heared all u have to do is typing some ip adreses in mozilla browser to get ur router setuped!! i duno if thats accurate or not.. but thats all came up to my mind cause my speedtouch 330 i cant configure to get connected to the internet.. it needs lot of work to do.. and i simply cant do what im asked to do because im a linux nube!!
Regards,
Ahmad

well it's perfectly possible to get the 330's running just fine http://speedtouch.sf.net but it's more hassle that an internet connection should be these days.