DSL router with USB port

[hillj]

I have a DSL connection. Currently shared with 1 PC and 1 Laptop, just using Windows XP.

I am getting another laptop, with integrated wireless, plus my existing laptop has wireless, which I am currently not using.

I want to buy a DSL Router with Wirless, to connect the 1 x PC via Ethernet (wire) and two laptops via wireless BUT....

My modem (Alcatel) only has a USB connection, and so far all the Routers I have found need an Ethernet port to connect to the modem.

Does anyone know of a DSL Wireless Router which has USB input, or of a way to convert from USB to Ethernet?

The other point is I want them all to be networked,to share the DSL connection and the printer but independant of each other (At the moment, if my Laptop is off, then my Son's PC does not have connectivity.

I'm not very technical, so any advice will be appreciated!

Thanks

Julie

[TOAD6147]

I have a DSL connection. Currently shared with 1 PC and 1 Laptop,...

How are they sharing the connection now? Is the USB connection on the Alcatel modem the output to the PC? Have you checked with you ISP for alternatives or some guidance on this? And, as far as I know, you would need a print server to allow use of a printer that isn't a shared resource connected to a specific computer. SMC used to make 4-8 port routers that had a built-in print server but they required an ethernet connection as well. Seems to me this problem has been discussed here before. You may try a search for 'DSL and USB' and see what you find.
I just found this:

...Efficient Networks Speedstream 5667 modem which has both a USB and a RJ-45 output.

BTW, a router isn't really rated as "DSL". Some broadband modems, however, are single port routers as well which is the case with ny Sprint DSL modem. I had to disable the router feature in mine so that I could use my router.

[hillj]

The way they are currently sharing is as follows:

The DSL modem is connected to the USB port of my Laptop.

The limitation to this is:
1. If my laptop is off, or I am travelling with it, my son cannot use the printer or the internet
2. I am not taking advantage of the Wirlesss capabilities of my Laptop.
3. I cannot add my NEW laptop to the existing network.


Some of the routers have a built-in parallel port, with print-server capabilities, however none of them allow me to plug my USB modem into them!

I have contacted my service provider - it is the ONLY ISP here, and is the government telco - and they have told me that they do not support the solution, and I am "on my own"! (Not surprising when you consider that during 2002 they didnt support XP - only windows 2000 and older!!!)

So it seems that I may have to change my modem to one with has ethernet output??? Pity - it's another expense - and there is nothing wrong with my existing modem!

Thanks for your help!

Any more advice??

[TOAD6147]

Did you see all my edits in my original reply before you replied? Did you do the search I suggested? I did and added a reply to another thread asking help for you in your thread. Hopefully someone else will come along with a better solution to your problem.

[soulja]

hmm 2 wireless and 1 connected via ethernet, well u could do it like this,

MODEM>ROUTER>PC,WIRELESS MODEM/ROUTER> 2 LAPTOPS. like that

so it be ur modem going into ur 2/4 port router and one cable going into ur pc and the other cable gonig into ur wireless modem and then u have 2 wireless ethernet cards in the laptops and there ya go. a real hassl but you see thats probally the only way for it to work.