Qwest is offering the following hardware options:
The external hardware setup includes:
- Cisco 675 external DSL router/modem
- 3Com Ethernet card (for Windows users)
- Power cords
- Cables and connectors
The internal hardware setup includes:
- Intel 2100 internal DSL router/modem
- Cables and connectors
The following is a comparison of what the differences and limitations are:
| Feature | Cisco 675
(External) | Intel
2100
(Internal) |
|---|
| Price | $295 | $99 |
| Possible Use |
Single PC
Multiple PCs
Local Area Network |
Single PC only |
| Laptop Support | Yes |
No |
| 486 Support | Yes | No |
| Macintosh | Yes |
No |
| Unix/Linux | Yes |
No |
| Power source | External--plugs into wall
outlet | Powered by PC |
| Connection Type | Constant
As long as
the 675 is on, the connection is active |
Modem-like
You need to tell the Intel to
connect |
Basically, the internal Intel 2100 is the same as the external Cisco 675.
However, since it's internal there are some special features/limitations:
- The Intel 2100 acts as a network card, so you do not need to
install one
- The software required for the Intel 2100 only works in Windows
95/98 and Windows NT 4.0. If you have any other operating system,
then the Intel card will not work.
- The Intel 2100 requires a PCI slot. If you do not have a PCI slot
available, then the Intel cannot be installed.
- Since it is a PCI card for PC's, the Intel 2100 will not work with
laptop computers.
- Since the Intel 2100 can only be installed in one computer, the DSL
connection will only be available to the computer the Intel is
installed in.
- The 675 offers a connection that is always active, like a network
(i.e. open up Netscape and start pulling up pages). The Intel 2100
needs to be told to connect, like a modem (i.e. tell the 2100 to
connect and once it's connected, then open Netscape).
Given the above, you will need to go with the external Cisco 675 in the
following circumstances:
- if you are using a Macintosh
- if you are not running Windows 95/98/NT4
- if you want to use DSL on a laptop
- if you want to use the DSL connection on multiple computers
- if you want to share the DSL connection between multiple
computers
