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Rating: 
Summary: One dial-up connection for your whole local network
Review: I bought this modem thinking I could share my dial-up connection by attaching it to the Internet (WAN) port of my wireless router (Netgear MR814v2). As it turns out, that wasn't necessary (and I couldn't figure it out, either!) because the modem functions as a router by itself. This means that I didn't need the routing capability of my MR814v2. Instead, I gave the MR814v2 a fixed IP address, turned off its DHCP server and connected it to the ActionTec modem via a regular ethernet port. The ActionTec modem now functions as my DHCP server and routes its dial-up connection to all of my networked machines; including my laptop which connects wirelessly through the MR814's access point. It also eliminates the need to have a PC running just to use Windows internet connection sharing.
The modem comes with interface software that is used to set it up and allows you to tell it when to connect, but I prefer the web browser based interface (type in the modem's IP address) which offers you the option to connect and disconnect from any computer on the network without installing yet another piece of software on all your machines.
At first I was worried that the web interface didn't require me to login or otherwise check my identity. However, you can set the modem up so that each time you connect you have to enter your internet provider's password which is the same thing, I guess.
Our family doesn't access the internet simultaneously, so I can't comment on the merits of being able to share such a limited connection.
In terms of basic modem performance, the fastest connection speed seems to be a little slower than my previous modems (49Kbps v. 52Kbps)and for that reason, I could only rate it 4 stars. Still, it's a trade-off I am willing to make for the increased flexibility.
Rating: 
Summary: Cheap Embedded Linux Platform
Review: This is the perfect device to purchase to get started with working on Embedded Linux. It is a relatively inexpensive item compared to many reference boards for sale, and it runs uClinux, which has a very active developer community and support site.Actiontec itself is also open to people modifying these devices, and therefore may provide some developer tools some time in the future. A very exciting product!
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