Quote Originally Posted by Harry Kuhman
Quote Originally Posted by Lex-Man
I'm not running any kind of network, I don't have a web site(well running anyway). The modem is system independent and runs through a USB port using a GS7470 chipset. Although the manufacturer's (BT) only support windows and apple.
Many people run routers even though they have only one system. In addition to supporting a network they provide a hardware NAT firewall, which goes a long way to keeping hackers form coming across your computer on the internet and infecting it. This is critically important under Windows, but still a good idea under Linux.

If your modem only supports a USB connection though and not an ethernet connection, you are in bad shape. It is certainly not system independent. USB was never intended for networking and performs very poorly when used in a network, in spite of the wide spread availability of such hardware. And it prevents you from protecting yourself with a router and hardware firewall. And in this case, as you found, there is frequently a problem getting the drivers for the OS that you need.

If your modem doesn't have an ethernet connection then I believe that you made a big mistake in allowing the ISP to provide that modem, or worse, buying it. If you ask your ISP they will tell you that there is nothing that they can do. If you insist and they come to understand that they are about to loose a potential long term customer over this, then they will almost always conceed and provide a decent modem, but this can take determination and often involves talking to several people. Otherwise find a friend who had ethernet DSL and moved on to cable and get his or her old DSL modem. Do not waste your time and money on the electronic bay of thieves.
I understand about the firewall I run a software one as one isn't included with the modem. I really don't have the money for a router at the moment. Also I'm inheriting a wireless 801.11g one later this year, A BT Voyger 2100 insidently. The base unit also has a single ethernet connection. As I live in England the cheapest I can buy a router for is about 50usd.