best way to connect laptop to adsl network?

[trueman]

I have a friend who has just applied for adsl. He wants to connect his office computer and his daughters laptop up to the adsl router.
The router is a Netcomm NB1300 which has a ethernet port and a usb port. What would be the best way to connect this up? The laptop sits in his daughters bedroom which is around 12 metres from his office. I was thinking of connecting the office computer via the usb port and the laptop via the ethernet port. However then he would have to buy a network card for the laptop.(Do they cost much?)
I have also heard that USB will slow the adsl connection when compared to connecting via the ethernet port. How much of a difference will it make though?

[MadMan2k]

USB 1.0's speed is 12Mbps (megabits), I doubt your DSL connection will be that fast.
I don't have firsthand experience trying plugging one computer into the modem via USB and another via Ethernet, but the new guy on Call for Help says it can't be done (I don't know that I believe him, though...). In any case, you could get a crossover cable to run between the office computer and the laptop, and buy a NIC for the laptop (PCMCIA NICs aren't too expensive, a bit more than PCI ones for desktop computers though)

[John Prophet]

he needs a router and also a PCMCIA nic for the laptop

come from the adsl modem to the router and then from the router to the two comps....if he wants he can get a wireless router which will have wired and wireless ports etc and then he could just get a wireless card for the laptop instead

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he probably WONT be able to run two comps without a router unless the isp allows it...even then he would need a hub at least so he'd be better off to just get a router because a router adds protection by functioning as a hardware firewall

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I dont think you can use the usb and ethernet ports of a cable modem at the same time..99% sure u cant...and I have always heard the usb port method can be a little flaky

[trueman]

Originally posted by MadMan2k
I don't have firsthand experience trying plugging one computer into the modem via USB and another via Ethernet, but the new guy on Call for Help says it can't be done (I don't know that I believe him, though...).

I dont believe him either as it can be done. I have a Netcomm 1300NB adsl modem/router connected up on my own computer. According to the instructions you can connect a computer to the usb port and then connect either another computer or a hub/router to the ethernet port. I didnt do it this way though as I was advised not to use the USB connection. Why Im not really sure as the speed shouldn't be a problem although thats the reason I was given.

I dont want to run a crossover between office machine and laptop (which incidentally is how my home lan is setup) as his daughter often uses her laptop at night when the office machine is shut down.

The Netcomm 1300NB is an adsl modem/router. I want to do this without having to buy too many extra items. Thats why I thought if I went USB to the office machine and ethernet to the laptop all I would need to buy is a PCMCIA NIC for the laptop. However I have been told not to use USB on the router.
Im just not sure why but would like to find out before I make a decision. Otherwise he would end up having to buy a router, a PCMCIA NIC and a PCI NIC.