netclectic2

If you are using xp and usb there is also the dreaded blue screen of death to worry about!

xp & usb & blue screen

i was experiencing this on a regular basis but since switching to ethernet i've had no problems at all!!

[Edited by netclectic2 - 8/1/2002 9:16:06 PM]

blp

Hi all. Just about to get the broadband NTL kit sent to me for a 512k link. Thinking about the conversation I had with them yesterday, they are supplying a USB connection (which I do have on my PC) but I must say I was expecting an ethernet connection.
IS there any difference? I do want to connect another PC using router/hub etc in the near future, so as to get 2 or more running of the one link. I just want to make sure this is still possible if the connection is USB as they are stating.
Thanks in advance.
Brett

babber

I would make sure you have a network card and insist they connect with that rather than USB. I work for TW BY and have done some testing and have found with lower spec. PC you can get a little latency It is an easier connection method with USB, but I wouldn't use it.

If you need to connect muliple PC then buy yourself a Netgear RP114. It's a router with a built in four port hub, and runs the internal network fine.

Hope this helps, Phill C

suba

even if it's a USB, you still can get it to connect it up to a router. have a look at the vigor series of routers.

IanW

I have to agree with Phill here, vote for Ethernet from me!

babber

IanW,

I came around to see you last Thursday, but you weren't home Went out for the day with Keith, the guy that fixed your CM. Hope all is well

Cheers Phill C

carl

It used to be that the 'USB' cable modems (the Terayon ones) had an Ethernet port as well. Don't know what they're shipping now, but I'd go for Ethernet which is designed for this sort of thing, as opposed to USB which is for connecting scanners and printers

blp

Well thankyou to everyone who both looked at and replied in such a short space of time...70 views, 5 replies in about 2 hours!

I took the advice, called NTL, and asked to ensure that I got ethernet. Apparently they only supply USB now as standard as it is less hassle for them from a maintenance viewpoint. However, the modem box does have a Ethernet connection on it as well, and I have to supply the cabley bits to connect the box to my PC. I will post back the results when its in!

babber

Excellent, are you saying that they don't supply the ethernet lead its a straight through, as opposed to a cross over by the way They should be boxed with USB and ethernet leads ??

I understand what they mean about USB being easier to support and TW BY will be doing the same soon. Let me know if you have hassles getting the leads. I have loads hanging around my office. What make modem are they supplying ?

Cheers Phill C

Hos

iTrader: (1)

Question - is there a difference in the speed?

I'm currently using USB but have an RJ45 port.

Having to wait until Monday until my 100m cat5 cable comes so haven't had a chance to use it.

ScoobyGrannyDriver

I have NTL broadband and I found a MASSIVE difference in speed between ethernet and USB.

USB was just rubbish. Ethernet is fine.

NTL's FAQ's say that USB requires a huuuuge percentage of system resources to be free on the machine for the connection to work efficiently and that if the connection is extremely slow to try using ethernet.

I was getting downloads at a speed in hundreds of BYTES per second when I was using USB, over a 512K line!! Got to agree that's a bit beyond sh!te, no? Since switching to ethernet it's at least 20 times better.

Ethernet every time.

roadrunner

USB adds about 5-10ms latency compared to an Ethernet connection. If you’re into gaming then avoid USB, actually avoid USB full stop

Download speed will be the same for USB and Ethernet because your bandwidth connection doesn't change. You are still on a 512k connection

512k/8bits = 64KB/sec download

IanW

Phill,

Should have given me a call mate i was only 5 minutes away from home all week!

Ian

carl

Of course NTL '512 kbps' service is actually 600 kbps

dsmith

RR

Except in certain circumstance that additional (USB) latency in combination with the TCP window size might limit the potential download speed of a single download session to under 512.

I'll get my coat.....

Deano

roadrunner

Actually Carl you can uncap the modem. I have access to the new software which gives fake reading on the modem NTL won't be able to tell that you have an uncapped modem unless they monitor the bandwidth - which they don't The software has successfully been tired and tested (not by me)

Deano - For that comment I might just return back to CS so I can shoot your ****

babber

Ummm,

I'd seriously recommend that you don't uncap you CM, as TW do monitor bandwidth downstream and upstream through the UBRs and it is tied to a HFC Mac address. THEY CAN TELL IF YOU@VE UPCAP THE CM, and have monitoring equipment to detect this

I don't know about NTL SMNPc system, but would have thought it was near enough the same

Cheers Phill C

PS Just some friendly advise!!

Luke

Simple question!! can I get my "Pipex" adsl to run faster?? Its got the "Fujitsu" usb modem. I dont care about uncapping etc.. just want a better speed.

Thanks

Hos

iTrader: (1)

trying ethernet out at the moment and it seems to be quicker in responding to the pages. Definately not going to use USB now.

dsmith

To quote RoadRunner
I, like others, dislike USB for anything "networky" - it just never seems as good as other connections.

If you want maximum performance consider going for an ADSL enabled router. Have a browse round http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk for various options.

To be honest though in terms of pure bandwidth the difference will be very marginal and probably more dependant on the general bandwidth/latency available across the entire Internet (inlcuding your contended link from exchange to ISP) between your PC and the Server your downloading from (which may be just another PC on an ASDL line somewhere....)

Deano

roadrunner

I agree with babber about uncapping your cable modem, don't do it but babber this software I have seen spoofs everything. It is extremely clever and the only way I know of for them to detect it is by bandwidth monitoring.

Deano - I still want to shoot your ****. Unfortunately now'a days I live at work. Like now I am just going home so you life is spared ..................... for now

Luke if you have one PC then an ADSL PCI modem would give you the same speed as a ADSL router.

[Edited by roadrunner - 8/1/2002 1:01:20 AM]

Luke

Roadrunner.Yep one computer and the USB modem.

Thanks anyway


Luke

suba

or you can opt for a USB to router. have a look at vigor 2200usb. one of my mate got it and running a mail server and other PCs on it!

babber

I understand about spoofing etc, but the thing is you have a docsis layer 4 IP address that you can't change!! This is used to monitor you bandwidth useage, and can easily be spotted if working faster than it should be.

Put it this way, I am running a 1 meg circuit on my CM as part of a trial in Bristol, and my modem was reported for going to fast

Cheers Phill C

PS Just a word of warning

sammyh

iTrader: (1)

I have Ntl 512 broadband and after reading this I would like to fit an ethernet card as it might explain why i'm crap on web games especially mohaa

What parts do I need to get?

Thanks
Sam

blp

Sam. I believe all you need is a standard 10MB netwrok card. Then you would have to use your NTL CD to reinstall, telling it that you now want to use the Ethernet connection.

blp

OOOO KKKKKKK! One broadband connection is a go go! Very very impressed with the speed. Scoobynet came up so bloody quick! Because I have a digital set top box, there was no external cable modem box, it come straight out of the set top. The ethernet cable is quite chunky, and ive got to get across the house throug h2 walls. I may get a wireless hub as previous mentioned in this host, especially as its got software controlled hardware firewall, which costs £30 anyway.