It was recommended to me from a friend that the Linksys WRT54G v3 router is one of the best. However, I need to know does the router care what OS the computer is running? I am on Verizon DSL and want to network 3 computers. Two have XP, one will have both XP and WFW 3.11 (dual-booted). XP should be no problem but will the router work on Windows 3.11, provided I can set the OS up with Ethernet? Thanks in advance for any help, it is much appreciated!

A friend answered my question for me. He said it doesn't matter what OS. Thanks anyway!

In case anyone is interested Routers and Modem/Routers are O/S independent, though to access the Web Page Style Configuration you need a Web Browser which supports at least Java Script and sometimes Style Sheets/SSL etcetcetc. Fortunately IE5.x 16bit has so far been AOK.

So if I understand correctly, I just neet to get a Network card with Win 3.x driver along with a browser and I should be good to go?

Not quite, first you need the updated TCP/IP Stack TCP32B:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/99891/en-us

Then you need a WfW3.11 NDIS2 Driver for you network card.

Then you need Internet Explore 5.x 16bit:

http://os2.tucows.com/preview/4842.html

Also see this article:

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/wfw311ni.htm

The article I pointed to does not mention TCP/IP but after installing TCP32B that option will appear. You only need TCP/IP protocol, NETBeui and IPX is nopt required.

I have dug up these which may help:

http://www.itservices.ubc.ca/resnet/Technical_Support/Supported_OS/DHCPwin3x.html

http://www.yale.edu/pclt/WINWORLD/WFWG311.HTM

Sorry it should be a NDIS3 driver, but NDIS2 may suffice.

Well I hopefully will receive the router today. I ordered a Linksys WRT54GL and already ran the cables, so as soon as it arrives I am ready to go.

It is my understanding that DSL uses the PPPoe protocol, whilst TCP/IP in WFW 3.11 uses DHCP. So the only way to get DSL to work in 3.11 is to have the router convert PPPoe to DHCP, which to my understanding, the WRT54GL does.

Strangely enough however, I was messing around with some old scrap systems, and I got an old Dell Optiplex with on-board 3Com 3C905 Ethernet to get on DSL in WFW 3.11, connected directly to the DSL modem.

This has been working on that old Optiplex now for two days so I am certain it is not a fluke. I have not been able to replicate it with other network cards I have tried. I am thinking perhaps that the 3C905 internally converts PPPoe to DCHP before transferring it to the OS?

Everything else seems to be working well with the new system I am building. I still do most of my work in 3.11, but I want the capabilities of a fast XP system for high-end gaming.

Thanks everyone for your help!