[zanyterp]

hello! i am considering getting dsl and would also like a wireless network in the house and wondering if airport/AE works as the modem as well, or if it connects to the modem and then broadcasts that signal wirelessly (and/or also to another computer w/o airport/AE through ethernet?) i have looked at the specs and just am not able to figure out if it works as the modem as well, or just the broadcaster.relay from the computer(s) to the dsl modem? thanks for your help and understanding of a newbie question.

nick

[ghporter]

AirPort Base Stations do not act as DSL modems. They can be plugged into DSL modems to share the connection wirelessly.

[southtdi]

As GHPorter stated it is simply a wireless access point.

What you need is a DSL modem, which will most likely be provided by your service provider. From there I would buy a DSL router with a built in switch. The DSL router will give you extra protection on your network and the switch will let you hook up any non-wireless computers in the house.

You could forget about using apple and buy a DSL router/switch/access point all-in-one device. There are several of these on teh market and for home use most seem to work fine.

Whatever you do, once you get the newtwork connections working properly set up encryption on the wireless part of the network. I always mention that since many networks seem to neglect that part.

[zanyterp]

Originally posted by southtdi:
<snip>
What you need is a DSL modem, which will most likely be provided by your service provider. From there I would buy a DSL router with a built in switch. The DSL router will give you extra protection on your network and the switch will let you hook up any non-wireless computers in the house.

You could forget about using apple and buy a DSL router/switch/access point all-in-one device. There are several of these on teh market and for home use most seem to work fine.

Whatever you do, once you get the newtwork connections working properly set up encryption on the wireless part of the network. I always mention that since many networks seem to neglect that part.

what's the difference in what apple offers and the switch/router/access point all-in-one device? isn't that what AE does? or is there more to it than that and i would also have to buy the router? i thought it was possible to connect wired and wireless using AE, as it has the connectors for it? AE provides the access-point, and then there still needs/ought to be another device (the router &/or switch) to complete the network and have everything work well and be secure?

thank you again for your help!!

nick

[ghporter]

The difference between the AEBS and other companies' wireless routers comes down to four things. First, everybody else gives you at least three ethernet ports, with most offering four or more. This means you have many more options for your network.

Second, the AEBS is proprietary in many ways, particularly in how you configure it, while other products offer a browser-based configuration that you simply log into. This allows you to mess with the settings from any computer on your network that has a browser-that would be all of them, right?

Third, the AEBS-if you buy the expensive model-comes with an external antenna port (that's "an" as in singular) and an internal dial-up modem. You are better off with an access point or wireless router that offers two antennas over one with an internal antenna or single external antenna because the dual antenna systems provide better coverage (technical discussion of "diversity reception skipped here). And if you REALLY want to share a dial-up connection over a wireless network, there are a number of wireless routers that offer a "COM" port for a PC-style external modem (available for a lot less than the cost difference between the two AEBS models) for that purpose.

Finally, for the cost of the basic AEBS model, you can get two third-party wireless routers (if you shop around for the best deals).

How's that? Any questions? I think the AEBS is a wonderful device, but Apple's price is way too high for the features they offer.