4

I have a router[1] which i use to connect to inter, it has one Ethernet and one USB port. I have two laptops running windows 7 so they are not able to the USB as the driver is not available. Thus I am able to use only one laptop with Internet at a time. I was thinking if there is a way to convert the USB port into Ethernet or any other way to go about making the other connection usable.

[1] UT-300R2U

2
  • I believe a better term is "ADSL modem" or at least "ADSL router". A "router" by itself strongly suggests a unit with at least 4 Ethernet ports and probably WiFi.
    – jpc
    Mar 24, 2011 at 1:56
  • A switch has multiple ports, a router generally has one port. SOHO routers that you buy are routers + a switch, that is why there are more than one port, the connection is just made internally.
    – MaQleod
    Mar 24, 2011 at 3:11

5 Answers 5

4

Try connecting an ethernet hub or switch to the router, then connecting your laptops into the switch.

6
  • well that is the right way, but I want the fun and educative way
    – Rick_2047
    Mar 27, 2010 at 20:20
  • 2
    unless the router has built in drivers for a third party usb to ethernet adapters (not sure why they would ever do this) then you are flat out of luck.
    – jeremy
    Mar 27, 2010 at 23:51
  • Can't I something like use a micro controller to convert ethernet signals to usb signals?
    – Rick_2047
    Mar 28, 2010 at 5:21
  • 1
    unfortunately it doesn't work like that; there are no standard usb to ethernet interfaces. A good way to think about it would be that without these interfaces (unless third party drivers are present) there is no way for the router to accept data as being from an ethernet-type source. A router manufacturer would not include these drivers because it would affect their bottom line (you won't buy the upgraded model) and to a lesser degree because it is a very roundabout and inefficient solution to the problem (why not just use an ethernet switch?)
    – jeremy
    Mar 30, 2010 at 12:51
  • 1
    Well, while there is a standard USB class for Ethernet controllers, I agree that it is unlikely the router includes drivers for it. Feb 23, 2011 at 12:53
1

While what you are asking to do is not reasonably possible, a solution for your problem may be to connect one laptop to the router with an ethernet wire and set up an AdHoc wifi network to share the connection to the second laptop.

0

You could connect the modem to one computer via USB, then connect the two computers together via Ethernet. Have the first computer 'share' the connection with the second. I believe in windows it's called "Internet Connection Sharing" (ICS)

1
  • wud connecting both with just an ethernet wire do the trick?
    – Rick_2047
    Mar 29, 2010 at 13:43
0

Such as these, perhaps?

0

To do what you want you would need to connect the modem to a USB host (an AVR, ARM or a bigger uC) and then write the drivers for your ADSL modem (this pretty much rules out anything not Linux based). If you do this then you can add (at least 2) Ethernet ports (probably with a switch chip) and then just route stuff around.

I do not believe there is an easier way to do what you want (apart from just buying a normal router).

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .