How Do I Share My DSL? 1

[believer]

I have a DSL-300 ADSL D-Link Ethernet Modem and am hooked to DSL service by analog lines with my phone company via that. My ethernet card is a Linksys Fast Etehrnet 10/100 network card.

We have another computer in the home that I would like to share the DSL service with. That computer may move. It's currently on the other side of the wall as my main system.

What is the best solution to network the two in an economical yet flexible way? In case we move the one computer to another part of the home... Also, I need to consider the addition of a third system and maintaining the good flow and speed of my currect connection.

Your suggestions are most welcome.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[TheOldMan346]

You have two main choices:

Add a second NIC to the computer now connected to the DSL and make it an Internet Connection Sharing gateway by running ICS from Microsoft. You can accomplish the same thing by using a proxy server also. AnalogX is an excellent one. You will also need to add a NIC to your second computer and connect the two computers using a cross-over ethernet cable.

OR

Get a router with an integrated switch that will connect to the DSL modem and handle your DSL connection. Each of your computers then, would plug into the router's switch with a straight-through ethernet cable. You would only need to add a NIC to the second computer. DSL/Cable routers can be purchased for under $70 these days.

With both cases, you have the option of using wireless but bear in mind that performance will be a little bit slower using wireless. Depending on your DSL speeds, environmental conditions, etc. it may or may not be noticeable.

This link provides excellent information about the pros and cons of both the above and other alternatives.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/

Good luck.
The Old Man

 

[believer]

>>>"Each of your computers then, would plug into the router's switch with a straight-through ethernet cable."

So a diagram would go something like this?

Phone Line to ADSL Modem
Modem to Router Switch
Switch to Computer A and B's Ethenet Connection via Cable

Am I heading in the right direction?

What will I loose if I have to run the cable a long way, anything? What is the cable called? What do I look for as far as quality in cable for long term connection?

Thanks I appreciate your time.
Laura

 

[TheOldMan346]

Laura,

Yes, you are heading in the right direction. If you go the wired alternative, the cables are called RJ45 Patch Cables. Look for a minimum Category 5 cable quality. Cat5E is better but you don't go to extra expense for it unless you want to. Maximum cable length is 1000 meters. Length obviously does have some effect on signal quality but with Cat5 certification, it is negligible within the 1000 meter restriction.

Wireless is a whole different situation. There are no cables but you'll need wireless access points (hardware) and wireless NIC's. It's more expensive, not as fast/reliable and subject to signal loss due to walls, microwaves, etc.

Hope that helps.
The Old Man

 

[believer]

Thanks a bunch! I will let you know how the installation turns out.

Do you configure by letting the other computer automaticly find the LAN settings as we did when hooking up this first one?

Thanks Again!

 

[believer]

The following is a description of what I am considering. I believe this will accomplish my goal in connecting the two computers. Am I right?

>>>>>"D-Link Ethernet Cable/DSL Internet Gateway w/ Built-In 4-Port Switch + Print Server Function
The D-Link DI-704P is an Ethernet Broadband Gateway with a built-in four-port switch plus a print server function. The DI-704P provides the ability to share a single Ethernet Cable or DSL broadband connection and share a single printer among computers connected to the local network. The DI-704P is equipped with four 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet ports and a bi-directional LPT port to support a direct printer connection. The DI-704P's integrated Router and Firewall provide NAT, DHCP, and packet filtering services between the local network and the Internet. The DI-704P is targeted at small business and home users who want to connect multiple computers and share a single printer.">>>>
Thanks,
Laura

 

[TheOldMan346]

Laura,

No problem. Glad to help.

Basically yes. The router will get an address automatically from the ISP. Each of your computers will then get their addresses automatically from the router. Note that the router will create a LAN or private set of addresses for your computers that will be different from the ISP's address range. For example, if your IP from the ISP is 145.123.321.25, you LAN addresses will be something like 192.168.1.x.

Good luck.
The Old Man

 

[TheOldMan346]

Laura,

The D-Link is an excellent device. It will work quite nicely.

Good luck.
The Old Man

 

[Guest_imported]

I just installed a Linksys wireless gateway router on my xp machine. I used a Linksys wireless receiver to connect it to my win ME machine in my kids room. It worked instantly! The main router is connected to my dsl line and the dsl is shared perfectly as well as file and printer sharing. Just a tip.

 

[ChrisAC]

The length restriction with CAT5/CAT5e is 100 meters, not 1000!!

Chris.
************************
Chris Andrew, CCNA
chris@iproute.co.uk
************************

 

[believer]

Your gonna laugh, but tell me what that is in feet.
I'm a completely non-metric person.

Also, I am concerned with cost. It looks to me like the way to go is "wired" instead of wireless. It appears to be cheaper all the way around with no concerns about signal loss.

 

[jimbopalmer]

330 feet I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[TheOldMan346]

Ooops! Slip of the fingers. Thanks for the catch, iproute. You are correct that it is 100 meters, not 1000.

The Old Man

 

[believer]

One more question(albeit simplistic)...
I do want to connect a printer as the note on the router says:

>>>>>The D-Link DI-704P is an Ethernet Broadband Gateway with a built-in four-port switch plus a print server function. The DI-704P provides the ability to share a single Ethernet Cable or DSL broadband connection and share a single printer among computers connected to the local network. The DI-704P is equipped with four 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet ports and a bi-directional LPT port to support a direct printer connection. The DI-704P's integrated Router and Firewall provide NAT, DHCP, and packet filtering services between the local network and the Internet. The DI-704P is targeted at small business and home users who want to connect multiple computers and share a single printer.">>>>

so here's my question:

Do I have to have a "network ready printer" or will that router do the networking for me?

and

What if I later want to hook two different printers into the network, what then?

Thanks so much for your assistance.
Laura

 

[TheOldMan346]

Laura,

No, you do not need a "network ready" printer. The router'd print derver will take care of that for you.

If you want to add an additional printer to the network, you have a choice. You can connect a printer to one of the computers and "share" it over the network. You can also add a "network ready" printer directly on the network. Or you can get a separate print server box to add another printer.

Hope that helps.
The Old Man

 

[believer]

One machine runs W2K and the other W98se. Will there be problems with printer drivers etc.?
Thanks your assistance is much appreciated.
Laura

 

[TheOldMan346]

Laura,

It depends on the printer. Here's D-Link's list of compatible printers.

http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=703&question=DI-704 printer

Generally, if the printer does all the procesing itself, it will be compatible. If the printer relies on the drivers running on a computer to do the image processing and handling, there may be an issue with it.

The FAQ also contains instructions on how to deal with the printer server in both Win2K and Win98.

http://support.dlink.com/faq/search.asp

Hope that helps.
The Old Man