Do I really need a router? I am presently on a dial-up 56K connection, an average homeuser with a desktop computer. My OS is WinXP SP2. I work with LUA, use the in-build firewall and Seconfig XP.
I am going to subscribe to a high-speed internet service and the ISP will also supply a 'Hatary HW-AA 101 wireless ADSL2+ router'. The router comes with a Quick Installation Guide and a Starter Kit CD-ROM. ISP connection number, username and initial password will be provided by the ISP which have to be added during installation. The program will then setup the ADSL2+ router and make connection to the Internet automatically.
According to Wikipedia, a router would be needed if a homeuser may want to set up a LAN or WLAN and connect all computers to the Internet without having to pay a full broadband subscription service to their ISP for each computer on the network.
Since I am a single pc user, I was wondering if it is really necessary to install this router.
Could I not just go to Network Connections | Network Tasks | Create a new connection and use the New Connection Wizard to Set up my connection manually? (Though my ISP refers to this type of connection as PPPoE LLC and not PPPoE).
Also, the Trouble Shooting list of the Quick Installation Guide points out that the TCP/IP setting in network adapter of my pc should be set to obtain and IP address and DNS. Currently, the Service TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper is Disabled as are SMB and RPC over TCP/IP.
Must these services be re-instated to achieve ADSL connection?
TIA.