From: "Antti Kurenniemi" 

"Ellen K."  wrote in message
news:htdap2lh7u6m6j7b9b1qugsekuuqmrnb5g{at}4ax.com...
> The 660HW comes in *nine* different flavors.  How do I know
> which one I need?

It's just an example of the one I have - not necessarily "the
best" or anything. What you need is a router that had a DHCP server +
WLAN, that's about it.


> What will I have to do to get it working with the AT&T DSL?
> They provide software but seem to expect customers to buy
> *their* hardware.

I don't know if things work the same way over there, but here, ADSL is just
ADSL no matter who you buy it from, and you can use whatever hardware you
want to. You'll need to check this one out, because things may be
different.


> (However, all they have is a DSL modem that allows one computer
> to connect,

Yeppers. You can:

1) use this, and connect a router behind it which then creates an internal
network for you, and this router can also have the wireless access point in
it. Or

2) skip their offering, and get an all-in-one device which you plu directly
into the ADSL (phone) line. They're almost exatly the same, except that 1)
is without the modem part and 2) has also the modem in the same box.

In either case you'll end up with 1 device (computer, modem, whatever)
connected to the internet (the ADSL modem), and an internal network that
can host a whole bunch of computers which share the one connection.


> Being hardware-challenged, your explanation of plugging the
> desktops in exactly the way I have them plugged into my
> current hub, and the laptop wireless will work pretty much
> by itself, seems more straightforward to me,

It should be really simple to set up. Just don't read the manuals, they can
be confusing 


> why should I have to plug something in to my USB ports?)

You don't - but some routers have a printer server built in, which has a
USB connection, so you could plug your printer into the router box instead
of your computer. But you don't have to use it if it works alright the way
you already have everything set up.


Antti Kurenniemi

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