sharing dsl connection

[nomejodas]

I have four PC's at home one is connected to an external USB DSL modem. This is the only one that is connected to the Intenet via the DSL. The others get on via dial-up.
I purchased a router but had to take it back since it would not provide power to te modem.

Of the four PC's three are running WindowsXP and the other is Windows 2000 Pro. They range in speeds from 400Mhz to 1.4Ghz.

What is the best way to connect these PC's together that will allow them to share the DSL connection?

 

[TheOldMan346]

nomejodas,

Not sure why yopu would try to provide power to your modem with a router. Maybe I'm misunderstanding you.

A router would be the best way of doing this but with a USB modem, you're kinda out of luck. See if your ISP will replace it with one that has an RJ45 ethernet adapter.

If they won't, the only way you'll be able to do this is using Internet Connection Sharing bundled in with XP and Win2K. You'll need to connect your computers with a network so you'll need network adapters in each computer, cat5 cables and a switch. You could use a hub but for just a minimal price increase you get a significant performance difference. This may help

http://www.homenethelp.com/ics/index.asp

I would really pursue the replacement modem with your ISP. A router is a lot better and provides firewall protection for your computers.

Hope that helps. What goes around - comes around.
The Old Man

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[TheOldMan346]

The SMC Barricade is a great router but it only has RJ45 WAN interface. With a USB DSL modem, choices are seriously limited. The Draytek Vigor is one of only a handful of routers with a USB WAN interface. It is available in the UK and Europe but is only beginning to be available in the States. It is compatible with only a couple of modems and protocols.

With a USB modem, the only "real" choices for sharing the internet connection are:
1. Swap out the modem for one with an RJ45 WAN interface and then get a broadband router with integrated switch
2. Use Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing as described above.
3. Use a third party proxy server, like AnalogX, which would function the same way as ICS.
What goes around - comes around.
The Old Man

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