New to NTL - advice requested please

[mbriody]

Hi.

I am experienced in IT and networking but am about to rent a house which has NTL broadband which I have no experience of.

I want to add wireless capability and would like to buy whatever kit I need before I move up there on Monday.

I haven't seen the current modem - is there a standard modem supplied by NTL and if so does it have USB connection to the PC or ethernet or will it have both?

If it is ethernet I have no problem adding a standard wireless router to the mix. If it is USB and I have to replace it then can I buy any model marked as 'wireless cable modem/router' or are there NTL-specific models?

I am assuming I have to use a 'cable' variant rather than any old wireless modem/router?

[Rob]

to Cable Forum

The majority of ntl:telewest cable modem's have a dual USB or Ethernet connection (only one can be used at a time).

Any standard wireless router, provided it doesn't have an inbuilt ADSL modem, should work, connecting via ethernet. Many on CF have favoured the Linksys WRT54G range of wireless routers, but there are many other makes too.

You cannot replace the modem yourself, that would have to be arranged by ntl:telewest as these are all effectively hired to you, rather than owned, as would be the case with BT based ADSL.

When connecting your router, remember that the modem must be powered off before and during any swapping over of the device (computer / router) being connected to it.

[Nikesh]

I have a Linksys WRT54G router works great!

[mbriody]

Thanks for the quick replies.

So there's no chance it will be USB only?

I don't want to get up there with a new router and find there's no
ethernet port

[Rob]

I don't know of a USB only cable modem.

[mbriody]

I was wary because my parents have a BT Voyager ADSL (not cable) modem from BT which is USB only. Like I say I haven't had any experience of the cable world so far.

I'm not a great fan of Linksys so I think I'll go for a NETGEAR WGR614.