[chrisford]

Hello -

I've got an idiot airport question...

I have a desktop g4 (450 dual) and a 1gHz Powerbook. The desktop is connected to the internet via a USB Alcatel modem and I want to share that connection with the PB.

My question is : do I need a base station or can I put an airport card in the desktop and have it function as a base station?

I'm confused as Apple support say yes, but my local Apple reseller says no.

Thanks!

[car1son]

1. If your internet connection (to your ISP-supplied modem) was via Ethernet, the answer would be yes, but...

You can turn on "Internet sharing" (aka software base station) in the desktop's system preferences / sharing pane (internet tab.)

But, it you don't already have an airport card in the desktop, a wireless router is only slightly more expensive than an airport card and has several advantages (it doesn't place a load on the desktop. It doesn't leave the wireless laptop dependent on the desktop being booted. Most stand-alone routers have much more flexible features for firewalls, IP assignments and port mapping.) So I'd say your money would be better spent on a router.

2. Since your internet connection is USB, I suspect your options for turning on internet sharing are more limited and depend partly on how the USB driver integrates with OSX. I don't have one, so I don't know.

[aaanorton]

The problem is that modem you've got. Did you buy that or did your ISP provide it for you? What you want is an ethernet modem. Does yours have a choice of USB or ethernet? With ethernet, you can simply plug it into any cable/DSL wireless router out there and share the signal with all your computers. This is far superior to sharing it through your G4. I'd look into getting a replacement modem and picking up a cheap wireless router. Here in The States, I can get a Netgear MR814 for $30, so shop around for bargains.

[chrisford]

Thanks to both of you.

I think you're both right - I need to get an ethernet modem. The USB one I have was supplied by the ISP and has a pretty bad reputation!

Regarding the Netgear you mention - I'm guessing that it's essentially the same as the Apple Airport, but cheaper. Is that the case?

Many thanks again.

[aaanorton]

The Netgear is similar. It is 802.11b, not 802.11g, like the new AEBSes. But you'd need an AE card to operate at .11g speeds anyway. Plus, .11b is PLENTY fast for web surfing and such. You would not see ANY speed improvement with .11g on the web. The only time .11g would be faster is when transferring LARGE files between your computers. The Netgear also has 4 ethernet ports built in. And I think it gets EXCELLENT reception. The AEBS offers USB printer sharing on the deluxe model.

Call your ISP and tell them that you no longer have an available USB port. See if they'll swap your modem out with an ethernet one.