Hi guys,

I had this crazy idea the other day that I could use my ubuntu server as an internet gateway.  It currently has only one NIC so I wondered if I could connect a adsl modem via the USB port.  Most modems with a USB port have windows software to configure the device via the USB port but obviously there is no linux software.  Anyone know whether linux has the right drivers to communicate with a dsl modem via USB (before I buy one)?

I was looking for a cheap second hand modem on Trademe and found one but the manufacturers specification says that it is USB1.1 compliant.  This means that the theoretical bandwidth is limited to 12Mb/s.  My DSL connection is around 10Mb/s so I may lose some bandwidth.  Would that also mean that other USB peripherals will have limited bandwidth?  Should I try to dedicate one USB host controller to the modem?  How do I figure out how many USB host controllers are on my MB? 

Cheers

Ross