DSL modem with USB or ethernet interface better?
- Thread starter Stalker
- Start date
shouldnt notice much diffrence between the two if it is just going to one computer....The eethernet interface lets you connect it up to a router to share the connection to other computers...the USB dosnt do that, unless internet sharing is enabled with win XP
from wut i've heard, USB is actually faster and ethernet is slower, but usb is not as reliable as the ethernet. thats just with my cisco teacher told me before.
USB speeds = 12Mbps
Ethernet 100baseT = 100Mbps
USB 2.0 speeds = 480Mbps
However:
Your probable maximum download speeds = 1.5Mbps = It doesn't matter USB vs Ethernet in terms of speed.
Even USB can handle that without blinking.
The catcher is that Ethernet is designed specifcly for networking and is going to be more reliable then USB, but except for installing the drivers the USB is probably easier.
Now if you have a lot of USB-based perifrials like a mouse/keyboard/printer/scanner/etc. You probably want to use Ethernet.
Personally I prefer ethernet, it also makes sharing connections between computers easier.
StrangerGuy
Diamond Member
- May 9, 2004
- 8,443
- 124
- 106
I take a Ethernet DSL modem over a USB modem any day of the week, as Ethernet is much more fuss free than USB in networking.
Use Ethernet, USB can do basically everything Ethernet can do especially with USB2 even with USB routers and hubs or USB to ethernet bridge.
But ethernet is an old proven standard with better and more routers and simpler to make a computer network then with USB and it probably would also be faster as it is optimized for networks.
Most newer modems come with coth USB and ethernet so you can try both a use the one you prefer.
I forgot, for some reason USB modems requre use of drivers to connect which causes a lot of hasstele and problems.
But ethernet is an old proven standard with better and more routers and simpler to make a computer network then with USB and it probably would also be faster as it is optimized for networks.
Most newer modems come with coth USB and ethernet so you can try both a use the one you prefer.
I forgot, for some reason USB modems requre use of drivers to connect which causes a lot of hasstele and problems.
Ethernet definitely. You might want to hook up a router one day (a must for even single systems, just for firewall protection), or perhaps place the modem farther away from your computer -- easy to do with 100m ethernet lengths, while usb has severely limited distance compared to that. Whoever thought of this usb cable modem idea should be shot for going against the standard.
ethernet here...currently using my Verizon DSL Westell modem via a 100base/t cable. 
cheers,
dave
cheers,
dave
Goddamnit, when are you going to stop posting crap on these boards.
Whenever you make a post, it mostly contains some innacurate, speculative or just ignorant advice. Everyone has a margin for error, but you don't seem to have a margin for correctness.
USB is not faster than Ethernet when talking about DSL modems. Even if you had a theoretical, crazy USB 2.0 DSL modem and a telephone line that's a hundred times better than everyone else's, you're not going to hit 60Mb/sec. Period.
All USB devices share the same bandwidth, so if you have a printer, modem, mouse, keyboard and digital camera all connected, it's going to slow you down. Also, with my old 2Wire DSL modem, I used USB and I would always have to end up rebooting the modem. That sucks. With my cable modem, I use Ethernet and it's always on.
Ethernet router can be left always on, not sure if you can do that with a USB modem.
I have a provider which gives me a dynamic IP, but I have had the service for maybe 6 weeks, and since I disconnected myself ~5 weeks ago, I don't think I have had the service disconnected, except when I had a power cut earlier in the week.
Plus an ethernet connection can act as a firewall if you get the right device.
I always have my computer connected to the internet as soon as I turn it on as well
I have a provider which gives me a dynamic IP, but I have had the service for maybe 6 weeks, and since I disconnected myself ~5 weeks ago, I don't think I have had the service disconnected, except when I had a power cut earlier in the week.
Plus an ethernet connection can act as a firewall if you get the right device.
I always have my computer connected to the internet as soon as I turn it on as well
jacktesterson
Diamond Member
- Sep 28, 2001
- 5,493
- 3
- 81
Another thing that has seem to be neglected to mention is that a good quality on-board or pci NIC does not use CPU cycles to run. Thats why I only use 3Com NICs, or CSA on my 875P mobo. Im sure there are other nice quality NICs that run cpu independent but I trust 3Com.
But from what I understand, which I could be wrong about, USB uses cpu time to process information. So I dont think i want to waste CPU time running instructions for a DSL/cable modem. Maybe it is not a whole lot, but every clock cycle counts.
But from what I understand, which I could be wrong about, USB uses cpu time to process information. So I dont think i want to waste CPU time running instructions for a DSL/cable modem. Maybe it is not a whole lot, but every clock cycle counts.
Originally posted by: ELopes580
Another thing that has seem to be neglected to mention is that a good quality on-board or pci NIC does not use CPU cycles to run. Thats why I only use 3Com NICs, or CSA on my 875P mobo. Im sure there are other nice quality NICs that run cpu independent but I trust 3Com.
But from what I understand, which I could be wrong about, USB uses cpu time to process information. So I dont think i want to waste CPU time running instructions for a DSL/cable modem. Maybe it is not a whole lot, but every clock cycle counts.
Precisely. I have a USB-based DSL modem in my drawer (after switching to router/modem unit), and that thing took a fair few CPU cycles. Not a huge amount, but enough to notice. Plus, it was enormously unstable. May just have been the make, but I'm never using that thing again.
I can't imagine that the interface is going to be the bottleneck from a connection to a broadband modem.
Maybe its a philosphical thing, but I've always used ethernet. Simple stuff. Of course, all of my connections have been for multiple users. Connecting it to gigabyte LAN connection is a little driving in a carpet tack with a sledgehammer, though.
Maybe its a philosphical thing, but I've always used ethernet. Simple stuff. Of course, all of my connections have been for multiple users. Connecting it to gigabyte LAN connection is a little driving in a carpet tack with a sledgehammer, though.
In that case i'd change Cisco teachers!
USB uses the host CPU to do packet processing, of incoming data from the USB bus. That's not going to hurt a PC at small data rates, but still its an impact. Also, some USB implementations (KT266 rings a bell) arent exactly the greatest.
As I said before, USB requires drivers for the modem, I checked. And that is what causes all the slowdowns and problems which can be pretty bad. I could not get it working through USB some time ago, it may be better now but probably is not.
You should use Ethernet unless you absolutely must use USB like everyone said.
You should use Ethernet unless you absolutely must use USB like everyone said.
Ethernet all the way. If you likje to have a router later on you'll probably run into trouble since most of them require Ethernet.
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