Well if you are being strictly accurate again then as ethernet predates the PC it certainly was not intended for the PC. (Ethernet was developed by Xerox in the 70s and 10Mb/s ethernet was first standardised in 1980 - the PC first appeared in 1981).

Also as USB2 is capable of 480Mb/s then it can outstrip 100Mb/s ethernet. Even USB1.1 at 12Mb/s outstrips the ADSL speed of 8Mb/s, hence even if the 2 PCs are using the two ports of the single port router to share an internet connection then USB is quite sufficent, though if only USB1.1 it might not be ideal to use to transfer large files between 2 PCs.

However this is all getting a bit pedantic again - this single port router will allow two PCs to share an internet connection and the addition of a switch will allow you to connect many PCs. A simple modem won't allow you to do that. The description is accurate - it may not lead to a network you would be happy with - but it is accurate.

Edited by smithg (Sun 16-Dec-07 18:54:34)

In reply to:

---

The description is accurate - it may not lead to a network you would be happy with - but it is accurate.

---

So why not advertise it as a two port router???

Because they didn't! As I tried to describe any title is fairly inaccurate. Maybe 'single ethernet port router' would be closer - but far from complete. Personally I think single and dual port router would both be inaccurate and are both somewhat misleading. However single port router is close enough for most people - if you are interested you have to look at a more detailed description to understand what it really does - many people aren't that interested!

Not really that bothered Graham. It just struck me that the claim of a "single port" router and a wired LAN was misleading. However I suppose two computers connected via the router is a wired LAN, even though it's not made clear one connection is via USB.

Tbh, I'm with Wingco on this one.

Sure, it is technically possible to create a home network, either by adding a switch or by connecting one computer by ethernet and one by usb. however, your average home user probably won't know how to go about setting up a switch, nor will they have two computers close enough to take advantage of the dual connectivity without going out to buy additional ethernet wiring.

In reply to:

---

Tbh, I'm with Wingco on this one.

Sure, it is technically possible to create a home network, either by adding a switch or by connecting one computer by ethernet and one by usb. however, your average home user probably won't know how to go about setting up a switch, nor will they have two computers close enough to take advantage of the dual connectivity without going out to buy additional ethernet wiring.

---

Slightly OT, but I'm looking with interest at this product. Would appear to solve the problem of computers in separate rooms, without investing in either wiring or wireless.

http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline-pl-85pe.htm

I might pop over to one of the hardware forums and see if anyone is using these.

>I might pop over to one of the hardware forums and see if anyone is using these.

Not sure if you have seen the review.

The reports on here seem to indicate that people find them good. Eliminates the vagaries of wireless and the fact that you can move them room to room is a handy feature.

Yup, I've only seen good feedback on that bit of hardware.

Use the Devolo ones myself, no problems at all.

Make sure you setup the security on them as well.

I've got 5 of them dotted around the house and didn't secure them (yes, I know....)

Am on a new build estate that's got fairly rubbish internal phone wiring, so only really the master socket gets a decent DSL signal, hence using PowerLine adaptors to relay the router connection to the rest of the kit in the house.

Anyhoo, as the neighbours all have pretty much the same problem, they've all gone down the same route and used PowerLine adaptors as well. Now the good thing (or bad thing really) about these bits of kit is that the signal's strong and resilient enough to carry not only around the house, but also pass through my electricity meter, out into the street and into my nearest neighbour's house!

Worked reasonably well enough to do some direct file transfers for testing and we were both able to browse the other's networked storage fine once given an access acount. All tied down now though, so job done.

I'd still recommend them without hesitation though.