Do all Ethernet Modems act as Routers?

[MarkF]

Hello, I've been considering Freecom's FSG-3 Storage Gateway WLAN. Reading its "WAN Connection" section for its Ethernet Internet connection, I get an impression that not all Ethernet Modems are Routers, i.e. contain their own ISP settings and are DHCP Servers?

6.5.2 WAN Connection

Here you can setup your connection to the internet or different network.
Options Description

Run [as] DHCP client:: Run the DHCP client. If the WAN port is connected to a DHCP server (for instance to another router) you will need to setup the WAN connection with this option.
Run [as] DSL client:: If the WAN port is connected to a DSL or cable modem directly, you often need to specify data given to you by your provider. This option lets you run PPPoE and other types of DSL and cable connections.
Login:: This is the username you got from your ISP.
Password:: This is the password you got from your ISP.
Dial on demand:: etc...

No extra WAN Options to set Encapsulation/Multiplexing/VPI/VCI though, and so presumably limited-application to UK telecoms. In terms of protocols, how do your Login details get passed Host-to-Modem-to-ISP?

I was left intrigued, as I'd only encountered via Karoo single-port Modems that act as Modem-Routers, e.g. Thomson SpeedTouch 510/516 and presumably 536.

Product Webpage http://www.freecom.com/product.asp?CatID=8070
Support Webpage http://www.freecom.com/ecDownload_Tools.asp?sw=true&sztype=manuals&choose=1147239

UPDATE: I think I stumbled upon my answer, "If you already log in to your Internet account by running a program such as WinPOET or EnterNet, then your account uses PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)." Presumably this Freecom model has this "special login protocol" built-in to support PPPoE.

[Fastethernet]

Have you had a look @ http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=1&model=979&l1=12&l2=43&l3=0 might be worth checking it out 

[commandergc]

I like that, it can download torrents on it's own i wonder if you can buy it without a hard drive cos i got a few large HDs lying around.

[Ben Atkinson]

If i were you id stop downloading torrents because you will get caught , KCOM can see exactly what your downloading , becaus eoyur uploading it ! , Thats when they Disconnect you , Get USENSET , You never get caught.

[Fastethernet]

Torrents can be used for all types of files. I download Linux distros and I always use encryption to prevent my ISP from sniffing my traffic. I always quote the old mantra "play with fire and you'll get burnt".

[The Dominator]

well said fasterethernet,
torrents are a perfect way to distribute large LEGAL files.
Why should we be inconvenienced with low bandwidth (which we have paid for!) when performing a legal activity?

I say stick it to the man...
 

[stormy]

If i were you id stop downloading torrents because you will get caught , KCOM can see exactly what your downloading , becaus eoyur uploading it ! , Thats when they Disconnect you , Get USENSET , You never get caught.

Its not Karoo who are bothered, its the copyright owner who is bothered, they report your copyright infringement to your ISP via your IP address (In our case Karoo). Karoo then investigate who was using that IP at that specific time and are legally obliged to cut your connection for said copyright infringement.

Karoo don't actually monitor our trafic content (yet!). What they do is shape the trafic speeds, depending on what protocol is used and BT seems to be the lowest of the low regardless of if the content is legal or illegal.

Mike