Why I think USB beats NIC

[Culvin]

USB has been around in cable modems enough now that the newer models (RCA 235+, SB4100, etc.) don't seem to have any problems at all with USB connections.

As far as speed is concerned, cable pretty much caps out at 1.5MBPS right now -- both USB and NIC can handle that just fine.

So what's the difference between the two? USB doesn't requre a network card, saving you an IRQ. USB controllers will always be using an IRQ, whereas network cards obviously only use one when installed/in use.

It may not be a huge advantage, but it helps save you against possible IRQ conflicts. Many people have computers with cable internet that are not networked, and don't need an NIC card. So to all the ethernet loayalists here, where am I wrong?

[DaveM]

1) Can't plug USB into my Ethernet Router
2) Can't distribute USB throughout my House where Ethernet is prewired to every room (two jacks per room)
3) USB still uses an IRQ, look at the main USB hub in system devices. CUSL2 uses 2 IRQ's for USB.
4) USB limited to 6 foot cables. My longest Ethernet run is 100 feet.
5) USB can't be used to interconnect the rooms and computers in my house, My 16 Port 10/100 switch does that!

[Culvin]

Again, I'm referring to an average home user that doesn't have his/her computer on a network.

Just having USB ports on your computer will take up IRQ's so long as you don't disable them...which you can't if you have just one USB device hooked up.

Obviously for your situation Ethernet is better. As for me, I don't have a network and a USB cable is plenty long. If I go USB, then I'll just have one more IRQ used for the modem. If I go Ethernet, I'll have to install a card which will use its own IRQ in addition to the modem's IRQ.

So for that situation (no network, 10' cord is fine), would you still disagree that USB is better for that reason? I would immagine a lot of people are in similar situations.

[ncswimmer]

If I go Ethernet, I'll have to install a card which will use its own IRQ in addition to the modem's IRQ.
If you have an external modem, which it sounds like you do, then the modem won't use an IRQ. And while you may not have a network right now, using a NIC allows for future expandability, in case you get a second computer, or a roommate with one, or a girlfriend, or whatever.

[YeOldeStonecat]

USB devices are also very CPU intensive....they are the equivalent of WINmodems for NICs. Can't touch a good quality hardware controller based PCI NIC with that.

Agreed the bandwidth isn't an issue...as I've setup a few of the NetGear USB NICs on some cable setups...and they fly. Broadband, at its max, will not even begin to max out the bandwidth of either the PCI or USB bus.

But I've seen Windoze lose USB devices before, including USB NICs on some customers. A good PCI NIC...haven't seen the OS hiccup and lose those as frequently.

But there are some cases where you have to resort to a USB NIC, like some of those junker cheap computers that have perhaps 1x PCI slot and it's taken, no room for expansion, or every IRQ is double taken by something else...so you're stuck with a USB NIC. They're fine for lappytops. Regarding the IRQ'...true the controllers take an IRQ for each USB port....but you can daisy chain devices to that and the devices themselves will not take up further IRQs...they share with a unique USB ID....kinda like SCSI.

[neo86]

Umm... I just have to say that USB is for newbies who don't like opening up their case. As far as IRQ conlicts go it's something of the past with ACPI. USB has more cpu overhead and usually costs more for same speed and features.

[Matt615]

Well your wrong about cable being capped at 1.5Mbps. I get 3.5-3.7mbps down on my cable ISP and other people who use my ISP can get as high at 8.7mbps.

[YeOldeStonecat]

The whole bandwidth cap arguement is useless anyways....even with peeps on super fast cable which hits 3, 4, perhaps 5...we have a 6 Mb/s DSL line at the office....I've seen a cable setup that tested at over 7.....even with that....the slowest of NIC's can easily handle it....and it certainly won't choke a USB or PCI bus.

I'm all for a quality 3COM/Intel PCI NIC...but the arguement of bandwidth throughput comparisons between a PCI NIC and a USB NIC just cannot exist when plugged into broadband.

Across a network compared to 100Base NICs..yeah, but to a 10 Base WAN interface...no.

[drdoug99]

Originally posted by neo86
Umm... I just have to say that USB is for newbies who don't like opening up their case. As far as IRQ conlicts go it's something of the past with ACPI. USB has more cpu overhead and usually costs more for same speed and features.

:nod: USB and NIC each have their place I guess, but if it's possible to go with a NIC, go with a NIC. Most, if not all new computers sold today come with NIC's anyway, so it's clear it's the standard anyway.

[MousePotato]

i switched from USB to NIC beacause i have been using my mouse in the USB also and while the cable was on USb, and during hard online gaming, my mouse in the other uSB would stutter and lag, so i popppedin an NIC and never had the trouble again

[2Bullish]

1) Can't plug USB into my Ethernet Router
2) Can't distribute USB throughout my House where Ethernet is prewired to every room (two jacks per room)
3) USB still uses an IRQ, look at the main USB hub in system devices. CUSL2 uses 2 IRQ's for USB.
4) USB limited to 6 foot cables. My longest Ethernet run is 100 feet.
5) USB can't be used to interconnect the rooms and computers in my house, My 16 Port 10/100 switch does that!

Exactly.

Ive never heard of compatability problems with Ethernet, however, Ive had plenty of USB problems with motherboards (especially Abit kt7)

[hypedave]

1) Can't plug USB into my Ethernet Router
) Thats not true , im using a USB connection from my laptop to
my ethernet router, go purchase a USB 10/100
Ehternet Adapter, im using a Farallon Netline


2) Can't distribute USB throughout my House where Ethernet is
prewired to every room (two jacks per room)
) Im bout to attempt to do that this weekend,


3) USB still uses an IRQ, look at the main USB hub in system
devices. CUSL2 uses 2 IRQ's for USB.
) yeah thats true


4) USB limited to 6 foot cables. My longest Ethernet run is 100
feet.
) My longest USB cable is 20ft, and no problems yet


5) USB can't be used to interconnect the rooms and computers in
my house, My 16 Port 10/100 switch does that!
) USB is still young to home users, let it mature

[Phantom-Vortex]

Originally posted by hypedave
1) Can't plug USB into my Ethernet Router
) Thats not true , im using a USB connection from my laptop to
my ethernet router, go purchase a USB 10/100
Ehternet Adapter, im using a Farallon Netline


2) Can't distribute USB throughout my House where Ethernet is
prewired to every room (two jacks per room)
) Im bout to attempt to do that this weekend,


3) USB still uses an IRQ, look at the main USB hub in system
devices. CUSL2 uses 2 IRQ's for USB.
) yeah thats true


4) USB limited to 6 foot cables. My longest Ethernet run is 100
feet.
) My longest USB cable is 20ft, and no problems yet


5) USB can't be used to interconnect the rooms and computers in
my house, My 16 Port 10/100 switch does that!
) USB is still young to home users, let it mature


LOL:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: USB sucks!!!