ADSL for a simracer (UK based) - tips please?

Guys, My exchange gets ADSL enabled in a few weeks and work is taking my ISDN away from me. I'm gonna have to struggle in my league with 56K dial up (if the wife even allows it) for 4-6 weeks :-( BT have an offer of free line activation and reduced cost for *external* modem and 2 microfilters (�50). Please bear with me - trying to figure out this ADSL lark is giving me a headache (or is it that squeaky MOMO?) Given that connected to my PC are numerous usb devices, including Wheel, USB Shifter, AL Perf. Pedals (never mind the printer, scanner, camera...) would I be liable to grief with a usb modem on top of that? Am I better off finding my own hardware and going internal? I couldn't really give a stuff about surfing and all that, I just want as stable and speedy a connection as I can manage for racing N2K2/N2K3. Getting a straight answer outta BT is pretty difficult. Regards, Mark

I would use a NIC instead of USB. All the USB devices are going to share the same bus so best to get your net connection on a true NIC instead of shared on USB IMHO. "Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Guys, > My exchange gets ADSL enabled in a few weeks and work is taking my > ISDN away from me. I'm gonna have to struggle in my league with 56K > dial up (if the wife even allows it) for 4-6 weeks :-( > > BT have an offer of free line activation and reduced cost for > *external* modem and 2 microfilters (�50). > > Please bear with me - trying to figure out this ADSL lark is giving me > a headache (or is it that squeaky MOMO?) > > Given that connected to my PC are numerous usb devices, including > Wheel, USB Shifter, AL Perf. Pedals (never mind the printer, scanner, > camera...) would I be liable to grief with a usb modem on top of that? > > Am I better off finding my own hardware and going internal? > > I couldn't really give a stuff about surfing and all that, I just want > as stable and speedy a connection as I can manage for racing > N2K2/N2K3. > > Getting a straight answer outta BT is pretty difficult. > > Regards, > > Mark

Get yourself a router with a firewall (there's a 3com about �150 squid) and connect to it via network card. You definately need a firewall when using adsl otherwise your're opening yourself up to a whole work of hate. You could use a usb monem but then youd' need to runa software firewall such as zone alarm, and they're a right pain as you'll have to reconnect to your isp every time you turn your pc back on. Go to www.adsguide.co.uk for loads of really good info.. Good Luck Some Call Me Tim

www.adslguide.org.uk "Some Call Me Tim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Get yourself a router with a firewall (there's a 3com about �150 squid)and > connect to it via network card. You definately need a firewall when using > adsl otherwise your're opening yourself up to a whole work of hate. You > could use a usb monem but then youd' need to runa software firewall suchas > zone alarm, and they're a right pain as you'll have to reconnect to yourisp

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> every time you turn your pc back on. Go to www.adsguide.co.uk for loads of > really good info.. > > Good Luck > > Some Call Me Tim > >

I agree, a router has a lot of advantages. There is a lot of good stuff at www.adslguide.org.uk (I think that's what he meant below). I use a Netgear DG814 which has just come down to about �117.00 from www.dabs.com. Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the big boys at the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. Andi. "Some Call Me Tim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Get yourself a router with a firewall (there's a 3com about �150 squid)and > connect to it via network card. You definately need a firewall when using > adsl otherwise your're opening yourself up to a whole work of hate. You > could use a usb monem but then youd' need to runa software firewall suchas > zone alarm, and they're a right pain as you'll have to reconnect to yourisp

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> every time you turn your pc back on. Go to www.adsguide.co.uk for loads of > really good info.. > > Good Luck > > Some Call Me Tim > >

"Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:IJ94a.3579$Lq.358648@stones... > Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the big boysat > the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. What makes you say that? Malc.

Hi Mark, I have BT Broadband with the USB modem. I currently have a printer, camera, webcam, MOMO wheel and ADSL modem all connected to my USB ports with no problems at all. Lets face it, when you are racing, you're not printing, scanning, uploading pictures from your camera etc, so all the bandwidth is available for the ADSL modem and, if applicable, wheel/pedals. I race online with GPL through Vroc and F1 2002 with no problem at all. I don't even bother turning the other USB devices off or disconnecting them because if they are on but not actually being used then they are not using any of the available bandwidth. However, you do need to be carefull about your USB controller. I have an Abit KT7 motherboard, and had no end of trouble with the onboard USB ports. So I purchased a USB controller card based on the OPTI chipset (about �10.00) and have never looked back. It appears that the VIA chipset my motherboard uses (KT133) is notorious for USB problems. The later VIA chipsets (KT133A onwards) are supposedly ok. I am very pleased with the Home 500 BT broadband system. To go for the ethernet connected modem I think you would have to go for the Business 500 package from BT and this is much more expensive. Hope this helps you make a decision Russell "Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Guys, > My exchange gets ADSL enabled in a few weeks and work is taking my > ISDN away from me. I'm gonna have to struggle in my league with 56K > dial up (if the wife even allows it) for 4-6 weeks :-( > > BT have an offer of free line activation and reduced cost for > *external* modem and 2 microfilters (�50). > > Please bear with me - trying to figure out this ADSL lark is giving me > a headache (or is it that squeaky MOMO?) > > Given that connected to my PC are numerous usb devices, including > Wheel, USB Shifter, AL Perf. Pedals (never mind the printer, scanner, > camera...) would I be liable to grief with a usb modem on top of that? > > Am I better off finding my own hardware and going internal? > > I couldn't really give a stuff about surfing and all that, I just want > as stable and speedy a connection as I can manage for racing > N2K2/N2K3. > > Getting a straight answer outta BT is pretty difficult. > > Regards, > > Mark

Past experience. How many of the big boys are even trying to match the prices of the smaller companies out there. How much do AOL and BT charge for broadband and how much do Plus and Zen charge for exactly the same service? Andi. "Malc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:Zga4a.3590$Lq.360643@stones...

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> "Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:IJ94a.3579$Lq.358648@stones... > > > Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the big boys > at > > the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. > > What makes you say that? > > Malc. > >

"Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:IJ94a.3579$Lq.358648@stones... > I agree, a router has a lot of advantages. There is a lot of good stuff at > www.adslguide.org.uk (I think that's what he meant below). I use a Netgear > DG814 which has just come down to about �117.00 from www.dabs.com. > > Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the big boysat > the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. They look very reasonably priced. What good reason would I have for going with a router as opposed to a PCI modem? Is the connection quality any better or is the advantage merely one of network connection capability? Cheers, Mark

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Guys, > My exchange gets ADSL enabled in a few weeks and work is taking my > ISDN away from me. I'm gonna have to struggle in my league with 56K > dial up (if the wife even allows it) for 4-6 weeks :-( > > BT have an offer of free line activation and reduced cost for > *external* modem and 2 microfilters (�50). > > Please bear with me - trying to figure out this ADSL lark is giving me > a headache (or is it that squeaky MOMO?) > > Given that connected to my PC are numerous usb devices, including > Wheel, USB Shifter, AL Perf. Pedals (never mind the printer, scanner, > camera...) would I be liable to grief with a usb modem on top of that? > > Am I better off finding my own hardware and going internal? > > I couldn't really give a stuff about surfing and all that, I just want > as stable and speedy a connection as I can manage for racing > N2K2/N2K3. > > Getting a straight answer outta BT is pretty difficult. > > Regards, > > Mark

I've been using a BT openworld with a USB modem for 2 1/2 years without any big problems. It is in essence a software modem, it does hit framerates especially with VIA chipsets, I had a 15% drop in 3D Mark with it plugged in. But it is perfectly good for online racing, I've done many long N4/2002 and full GPL GPs without problems. I have recently upgraded to a router (Thomson Speedtouch 510 v4) which has lowered my pings, so I'd probably recommend that (or the 530 if you only need one network port) if you have �100 to spare and you really need the USB ports. http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/ST510v4.html

"Mark Davison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > > "Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:IJ94a.3579$Lq.358648@stones... > > I agree, a router has a lot of advantages. There is a lot of good stuffat > > www.adslguide.org.uk (I think that's what he meant below). I use aNetgear

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> > DG814 which has just come down to about �117.00 from www.dabs.com. > > > > Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the big boys > at > > the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. > > They look very reasonably priced. What good reason would I have for going > with a router as opposed to a PCI modem? Is the connection quality any > better or is the advantage merely one of network connection capability? > > Cheers, > > Mark > >

A USB/PCI modem is a very insecure way to connect your PC to the internet 24/7, even if you're using a software firewall it is still running on top of the operating system and inherently insecure. A router even without a firewall uses NAT which blocks all unsolicited incoming traffic unless you've specifically opened a port for a server or whatever, so your PC/network is far more secure from unsolicited external connections. But, if you're not to paranoid about security and only have one PC to connect there probably isn't much justification for the extra cost of a router over a PCI modem.

"Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:Eab4a.3605$Lq.363956@stones... > Past experience. How many of the big boys are even trying to match the > prices of the smaller companies out there. How much do AOL and BT chargefor > broadband and how much do Plus and Zen charge for exactly the sameservice? I thought you were suggesting Plusnet were one of the 'big boys' ;-) I'm inclined to agree with avoiding AOL and BT, they don't seem to offer anything other than the ability to remain solvent imo. Plusnet have had problems (and some bad press) about users 'abusing' their FRIACO bandwidth, but no ADSL problems. I guess a smaller ISP is more likely to be affected by that sort of thing. I have ADSL (512/256) with Plusnet with a Router (Solwise SAR110). I went with the self install package & Plusnet supplied the router and two splitters for less than it would have cost me to get the parts individually. The Customer Support line is an 0845 (local rate) line too, which is handy. I get pings of around 30 to UK based servers on VROC, and the connection is very stable imo. Malc. > "Malc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:Zga4a.3590$Lq.360643@stones... > > "Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:IJ94a.3579$Lq.358648@stones... > > > > > Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the bigboys

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> > at > > > the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. > > > > What makes you say that? > > > > Malc. > > > > > >

Ive used adsl for a yr and a half now... no firewall, no virus checker and not a single attack/problem whatsoever. I think ppl overplay the threat to dsl users. Having worked for an isp ive seen the level of attacks on different conn configurations, and i think a firewall is unnessesary ..except for the paranoid :) dan "Alex Cameron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:b2s1un$e9u$[email hidden]...

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> > "Mark Davison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > > > "Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:IJ94a.3579$Lq.358648@stones... > > > I agree, a router has a lot of advantages. There is a lot of good

stuff > at > > > www.adslguide.org.uk (I think that's what he meant below). I use a > Netgear > > > DG814 which has just come down to about �117.00 from www.dabs.com. > > > > > > Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the bigboys > > at > > > the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. > > > > They look very reasonably priced. What good reason would I have forgoing

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> > with a router as opposed to a PCI modem? Is the connection quality any > > better or is the advantage merely one of network connection capability? > > > > Cheers, > > > > Mark > > > > > > A USB/PCI modem is a very insecure way to connect your PC to the internet > 24/7, even if you're using a software firewall it is still running on top

of

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> the operating system and inherently insecure. > > A router even without a firewall uses NAT which blocks all unsolicited > incoming traffic unless you've specifically opened a port for a server or > whatever, so your PC/network is far more secure from unsolicited external > connections. > > But, if you're not to paranoid about security and only have one PC to > connect there probably isn't much justification for the extra cost of a > router over a PCI modem. > > >

You're probably right Dan, but there is defiantly the possibility there for malicious attacks and a router defiantly cuts down the chances. Personally there's nothing on my computer worth accessing but my mums work PC sometimes has sensitive stuff on it. Honestly though I enjoy setting up and messing about with snuff like that but it probably isn't really all that necessary. "Dan_Leach" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:b2suqt$1g1p2b$[email hidden]...

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> Ive used adsl for a yr and a half now... no firewall, no virus checker and > not a single attack/problem whatsoever. I think ppl overplay the threat to > dsl users. Having worked for an isp ive seen the level of attacks on > different conn configurations, and i think a firewall is unnessesary > ..except for the paranoid :) > dan > "Alex Cameron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:b2s1un$e9u$[email hidden]... > > > > "Mark Davison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:[email hidden]... > > > > > > "Andrew Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > > news:IJ94a.3579$Lq.358648@stones... > > > > I agree, a router has a lot of advantages. There is a lot of good > stuff > > at > > > > www.adslguide.org.uk (I think that's what he meant below). I use a > > Netgear > > > > DG814 which has just come down to about �117.00 from www.dabs.com. > > > > > > > > Oh and take a look at www.plus.net as an ISP steer clear of the big > boys > > > at > > > > the moment they'll rip you off sooner or later, I'm sure. > > > > > > They look very reasonably priced. What good reason would I have for > going > > > with a router as opposed to a PCI modem? Is the connection quality

any > > > better or is the advantage merely one of network connectioncapability?

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> > > > > > Cheers, > > > > > > Mark > > > > > > > > > > A USB/PCI modem is a very insecure way to connect your PC to the

internet > > 24/7, even if you're using a software firewall it is still running ontop > of > > the operating system and inherently insecure. > > > > A router even without a firewall uses NAT which blocks all unsolicited > > incoming traffic unless you've specifically opened a port for a serveror > > whatever, so your PC/network is far more secure from unsolicitedexternal

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> > connections. > > > > But, if you're not to paranoid about security and only have one PC to > > connect there probably isn't much justification for the extra cost of a > > router over a PCI modem. > > > > > > > >

"Alex Cameron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<b2s0d4$cki$[email hidden]>...

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> > I've been using a BT openworld with a USB modem for 2 1/2 years without any > big problems. It is in essence a software modem, it does hit framerates > especially with VIA chipsets, I had a 15% drop in 3D Mark with it plugged > in. But it is perfectly good for online racing, I've done many long N4/2002 > and full GPL GPs without problems. > http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/ST510v4.html

Thanks, Alex. D'you happen to know if the internal modems are software modems, too? I would hate to have framerates impacted... SiS chpiset, FWIW, on a K7S5A mobo. Regards, Mark

No ..i use an internal pci adsl modem after probs with a usb one. The pci one works great and isnt like a 56k winmodem at all. dan "Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > "Alex Cameron" <[email hidden]> wrote in messagenews:<b2s0d4$cki$[email hidden]>... > > > > I've been using a BT openworld with a USB modem for 2 1/2 years withoutany > > big problems. It is in essence a software modem, it does hit framerates > > especially with VIA chipsets, I had a 15% drop in 3D Mark with itplugged > > in. But it is perfectly good for online racing, I've done many longN4/2002

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> > and full GPL GPs without problems. > > http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/ST510v4.html > > Thanks, Alex. > > D'you happen to know if the internal modems are software modems, too? > I would hate to have framerates impacted... SiS chpiset, FWIW, on a > K7S5A mobo. > > Regards, > > Mark

Whatever you do don't use BT. I work the my LEA supporting 280 schools setting up internet access/servers ect and we've had big big problems with BT. They might be OK for hom,e use but as soon as you start trying anything slight more complex suchas setting an exchange box for e-mail or domain hosting they draw a blank and are very unhelpfull expecially compared to oter ISP's. My advice is steer well clear. Some Call Me Tim

"Dan_Leach" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:b2tkhu$1fvgeo$[email hidden]... > No ..i use an internal pci adsl modem after probs with a usb one. The pci > one works great and isnt like a 56k winmodem at all. > dan Cheers, dudes. Think I've made my decision :-) Regards, Mark Davison http://www.markdavison.clara.net/OVAL/ "No more rhymes, now. I mean it!" "Anybody wanna peanut?"