Sharing a DSL connection without a router 3

[Stoemp]

Hi,

a friend of mine wants to share his DSL connection for 2 computers. He doesn't want to use one computer as a server, so I suggested a router. He said he heard that a switch connected to the DSL modem with a crossed cable could do the job too. Is this true or a big mistake?

Thanks,
Steven

 

[AvayaNovice]

steven,

That depends on whether or not the DSL modem in itself can act as a gateway. Some DSL modems and cable modems as well are capable of issuing IP addresses and what not (DHCP) it depends, some cable or telephone companies will disable that feature if so. You wouldn't need to use a cross over cable if you used the uplink port on the switch. But give it a try...

 

[bcastner]

If the modem has router functions, then a switch would work fine.

If the modem does not have router functions, then one of the machines will require the addition of a second network adapter card. You can the use the native Windows ICS tools, or Third-Party proxy software.

See:

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

 

[AvayaNovice]

I disagree. A router in the since of a broadband connection is not a router in any degree, it's simply a box that shares NAT, DHCP, and gateway functions. Many cable and DSL "modems" have these functions. A true router would route requests and transmissions to different gateways, or a single gateway based upon destiation and routing tables. In no way does a broadband router actually do those functions.

 

[bcastner]

AvayNovice,

I am not sure the original poster wants a discussion of what is the heart and soul of a "true" router, versus what is cheaply available in many broadband modems.

All the user asking the original question appears to need is:

. broadband authentication to the ISP
. NAT
. DHCP

These capabilities are well within the scope of many broadband modems.
With the addition of an inexpensive switch, this user has the ability to share an internet connection.

The user does not want to use ICS or other proxy software, and does not want to have to buy a broadband router. If the cable modem supports the limited feature set I detailed above, many do, then the answer to the original question is: Yes, it will work, with the addition of an inexpensive switch.

 

[AvayaNovice]

Which is what I said. A standard modem does not have router functions. It has gateway functions.

Perhaps you should reword your original post.

 

[bcastner]

I am baffled as to what I should have to retract.

 

[Stoemp]

Thank you all for the reactions. I'll check out the possibilities of the modem and I hope I just need to install a simple switch or maybe a wireless access point.

You were of great help!

Thanks,
Steven

 

[bcastner]

Stoemp,

If you provide the exact model and details (look at the bottom of the modem for a label) it is possible I can direct you to firmware upgrades or other suggestions.

Best wishes, Happy New Year.
Bill

 

[Stoemp]

Thanks, Bill, but at this time I don't have the modem with me. It's an installation I have to do for a friend. I will check it out.

Happy new year,
Steven

 

[AvayaNovice]

If you're stumped, let me point it out: "If the modem has router functions, then a switch would work fine."

Simply put, if the modem has DHCP, NAT, and is authorized to issue DHCP transactions (this is easily disabled by the cable or DSL provider when the modem downloads its configuration package) then it would work. Simply saying "router functions" would lead me to believe that the modem is a modem with a router built in, which is certainly not true.

Stoemp -- let us know the model as bcastner has requested. Many motorola products have this built in, as well as Scientific Atlanta, Terayon, Ambit, and Efficient/Speadstream.

 

[tharder]

One last thing - My ISP provides the ability to connect 2(or more) machines to the cable modem with a switch(or hub) attached. I would need to provide them with the mac address of the second machine however and they get another $15/mo for this "service".
I picked up a refurb Dlink 604 router w/built in 10/100 switch for $19. Pretty cheap considering all the benefits they have blocking unwanted traffic. I won't say how many machines are behind it using 1 external address. At that price, I'd do it even if I only had 1 device just so I didn't have to run extra firewall software on my PC's.
Of course if your installation requires both machines have dedicated external addresses you may need to look elsewhere..

 

[Stoemp]

It's just for a home network, so it's ok to have just one external address. I'll look if I can find the model of the modem and let you guys know.

The only problem I have is that the budget for the installation is low and a simple wireless access point is much cheaper than a wireless router. If I can do the job with an access point connected to the modem, then the problem is solved at low cost. Else I'll have to install cables, and believe me, it's a huge job to do this at his home without the necessary tools.

Thanks for the help, guys.

Greetings,
Steven

 

[tharder]

The Dlink 614+ Wireless Router w/4port switch is also $19.(refurb). That's pretty cheap. I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you where in these forums as it probably comes under a form of advertisement. Anyone know if it's ok to say where?

 

[bcastner]

tharder,

Since you are not the vendor, you can safely say "I picked up a refurbished D-Link 614+ at xxxxxxxxxxx" and am quite happy with it.

 

[bcastner]

Stoemp,

You might think that a wireless access point is cheaper than a wireless router, but for some mysterious reason this is often not the case.

For example, the linksys WRT54G router is often priced below the equivalent linksys access point at retail. I used to dutifully buy access points, but I no longer do so. I buy the router product and disable DHCP, and use the regular LAN ports to connect rather than the WAN port to a second router or whatever. In other words, I treat the router product as an access point.

This makes economic sense, provides a device that can serve as a router in a backup sense, and has the additional advantage that most manufacturer's make their bread and butter living from the router products, not the access points. As a result they tend to have the best firmware support, are updated frequently, and forums such as this have a lot of advice and tricks possible with the router and not the access point.

So, buy the router and not the acess point. It is trivial to use it as an access point.