2. WAN Port Features

With the NAT vs. SPI question out of the way, we can turn our attention to more practical matters... like how you get this puppy connected to the Internet!

NOTE: We use "broadband modem" to refer to the device that is used to connect your computer to whatever method of broadband delivery you subscribe to. This can be cable modem, DSL (whatever flavor), satellite, fixed wireless, etc.

Connection Type

Most routers provide a 10BaseT Ethernet port to connect to your broadband modem. Why not 10/100? Simply because most broadband connections run at about 1-2Mbps at best, and the manufacturer can save some cost by using the 10BaseT only chip. Some products also provide a serial port for the WAN connection, so that they can be used with an external dialup modem or ISDN Terminal Adapter. A few even provide an "auto-failover" feature that switches to the dialup connection if the Ethernet (broadband) connection goes down, and back again when the broadband comes back up.

What you won't find, however, are routers that connect to broadband modems that have a USB output... with one exception! If you have an Alcatel Speedtouch or Fujitsu FDX310 ADSL modem, you could check out the Draytek Vigor2200USB Router.

The unfortunate folks who are stuck with a different USB output modem from those listed above as their only choice, will have to go the software sharing route.

Obtaining your IP address information

Once you have a router with the correct physical connection, you'll need to make sure that it can handle the various methods of obtaining IP address information and connection authentication that ISPs use. Let's first run down the two methods for setting up your router's IP address information that all routers provide, then review authentication methods.

Dynamic IP

In this method, which is sometimes referred to as "DHCP client", your router is set to obtain its IP, Gateway, and DNS server addresses automatically. It's a common method because is gives your ISP a lot of flexibility in configuring their network. The downside is that since your IP address can change, any application that is looking for a server or application at a specific IP address will not find you when your IP address changes. Fortunately there are Dynamic DNS providers, such as TZO, who can make sure that folks can reach you no matter what your IP address is.

Static IP

This is the method of choice for folks who want to run servers and don't want to bother with using Dynamic DNS providers. It requires that you manually enter the IP, Gateway, and DNS address information that your ISP gives you. This choice is not always available, and if it is, you may have to pay extra for it.