2007-12-16 05:23:41 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
Hi... USB connection is just another way to connect to internet... If you do not have NIC card, than you can use USB connection to connect to internet. USB connection is slower than Ethernet connection.
Sometimes people use USB connection to connect with another computer... However, do not connect USB and Ethernet on one computer... This will burn the modem...
I hope this helps...
2007-12-16 05:47:25 · answer #1 · answered by Zaheer Sheikh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The USB port on a modem was once used for a USB connection instead of ethernet, but currently they are usually not intended for use as yet. This is due to the new Connect Now technology used to enable the simple and easy setup of home or small office networks. Routers are now having USB ports as well in order to allow full capability of the Connect Now technology.
Connect Now technology allows for easy and simple network configurations via a USB thumb drive containing all of the network configuration settings. You get these settings onto the USB drive by following the Connect Now instructions in Vista. Vista has full Connect Now technology, while XP only has a partial implimentation.
Once the settings are written to the thumb drive the individual who is setting up a home or small office network simply takes that drive and plugs it into the router, then to each computer and device which s/he wishes to connect to the network, and they can keep the settings on the drive for future use when they may wish to add new devices to the network.
All you do to add devices with this technology is to plug the drive into a USB port, the system reads the settings and performs the proper actions to apply the settings. In a momemt or two the device is added to the network without any further configuration needs by the user.
THAT is what the USB port on your modem if for now, or for future use. If your modem manual says it is for future use, then you can be sure it is set aside for Connect Now technology. While the modem may not be fully compatible with Connect Now technology, the manufacturer put the USB port there for your ISP to later upgrade the modem with a firmware update which will allow for use of the port.
My modem is an Actiontec and it has a USB port, and my manual states it is "for future use". I know what that future use may be because I have read up on the Connect Now technology. Here is a link where you can read a bit about it too, it is facinating how far we have come in home networking when only a few short years ago most people thought having just one computer connected to the Internet was very futuristic.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/connectnow.mspx
This page shows how Connect Now technology works with XP and wireless networking, but as I said, XP only has a partial implementation, while Vista has a full implimentation and can do much more with it.
Hope this helps, have a nice day.
2007-12-16 14:00:15 · answer #2 · answered by Serenity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is for tcp/ip over usb, but this option is slower and less supported than an Ethernet connection. most people have no use for it.
2007-12-16 13:37:22 · answer #3 · answered by Jon D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is for use with machines which have no network card. Very uncommon now. It is slower than the LAN connection and less reliable.
2007-12-16 13:40:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
so you can connect your computer via usb instead of ethernet.
2007-12-16 13:32:11 · answer #5 · answered by michaelb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋