The added software features increase the price of the adapters, as well. A better alternative is to use simple, low-cost adapters that offer only the networking functionality, and depend on a dedicated residential gateway to supply the network intelligence throughout the premise. For one thing, most operating systems are relatively unstable and crash often, some more frequently than others. Such a crash would inevitably shut down a home network completely. Secondly, to use a PC as the gateway, you would have to leave your chosen PC network server on continually, otherwise none of the other PCs or devices on the home network could access the Internet connection.
Security is another major problem.
Because hackers could gain access to your network over the big data pipe that carries the DSL service to your home, anything accessible over the network is at risk, including your financial files, personal records, home controls or security systems. A networking gateway must be extremely secure to prevent networked devices from becoming susceptible to attack. Security software installed with each adapter isn't as reliable as a residential gateway with an integrated firewall and enhanced security features. Finally, a server PC acting as a residential gateway can't be managed remotely by the service provider. Every time there's an upgrade to your security or Internet sharing software, you'd have to load it to each device connected through an adapter to the network.