Broadband question

[mikey_dude]

Hi there,

I have a few broadband-related questions if you guys wouldn't mind answering for me.

Firstly, I'm getting broadband next week at 600kbps with a USB cable modem. I have two computers and a laptop in the house and although the two computers used to be connected on an ethernet network, they are no longer. The laptop has no network card so can't join a network.

I was wondering if it would be possible to connect all machines to the modem without the need for a network and if so, what extra equipment would I need, routers etc.

Failing that, would it be possible to still connect using a dial-up modem for my girlfriends laptop?

I'm new to broadband and I really can't wait to scrap the sloooow 56k modems.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[ktkendall]

The best and easiest, most reliable, and fastest connection sharing device will be one of your broadband router sharing devices, Problem is if your cable modem is just USB with no LAN port, then you are locked into networking via usb, or using ICS which will work just not as well as broadband router with 4 port switch and ethernet on the PC's.

[RayCom]

mikey_dude,

Many of the new cable modems (like mine) have both USB and ethernet connections. Hopefully when yours arrives, it will have both connections. I agree with ktkendall, the easiest way to connect more than one 'puter is with a router. I have done ICS and it works but is a pain.

[glc]

You cannot share without a network of some sort.

[Christoph]

Get a broadband router - either with 1 or 4 ports. If you get a 1 port one - get a cheap 8 port hub to support your network.

Broadband rocks!

Christoph (via AT&T cable internet)

[ktkendall]

I would definately recommend 4 port switch, or the routr with the built in 4 port switch. You get better bandwith sharing with a switch.

[Confused]

But doesn't a switch require a address for each PC? My cable provider charges for each address. With a router you only need the one adress.
Chas

[ktkendall]

Originally posted by Confused But doesn't a switch require a address for each PC? My cable provider charges for each address. With a router you only need the one adress. Chas

Chas;
No a switch is just a much more effecient hub, it does not broadcast packets to all the ports, it uses mac addresses to direct the packets to only the PC that they are intended for, thus you gain effeciency and speed. You basically get full bandwith to each port, not shared to all ports. Of course you still only have a certain amount coming in from your WAN port but it will utilize the bandwith and route packets much more effeciently. You still only have your one IP address needed from your ISP. The router takes care of that. Yes you need the router to cannect to your cable or dsl modem but then you need something with multipule ports to connect the PC's to, that part is where a switch does a much more effecient job than a hub, and does not cost too much more. Mine is router with built in 4 port switch, linksys BEFSR41, very popular model, easy to configure, and use!
KK

[Confused]

Originally posted by ktkendall I would definately recommend 4 port switch, or the routr with the built in 4 port switch. You get better bandwith sharing with a switch.

I guess I'm misreading your post when you say definately recommend a 4 port switch.

I agree with the router with built in switch statement. That is what I have, but a switch by itself requires individual address for each PC.
Chas

[mikey_dude]

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I'll just get one machine up and running with broadband and then take a look at the possibilities for either networking and sharing the bandwidth for the other machine or use a router or simply install the USB cable modem on each machine and just plug it in when I want to connect to the net.

Look out broadband......here I come

[ktkendall]

I am talking about what to use in addition to your router, so that you don't need additional IP's from your ISP. Some of those routers have only 1 port so you have to get a hub or switch to connect to it, in which case I am just saying I would go with a switch over a hub!

[RayCom]

Having tried both ways I agree with ktkendall. My current setup using 3 port router and 5 port switch is far superior to ICS or router/hub combo. and uses only one IP address from ISP.

Ray

[glc]

Are you positive that you cannot get an Ethernet-capable cable modem?

[kittyfire]

If you're using usb, prepare for trouble. I will tell you that up front. If you're not already in the habit of rebooting your computer after running anything resource intense, get into the habit. Are you getting a pro install? If not, and you're doing a self install, call them back and lie. Tell them you do not have usb capability on your computer. If you have a conscience, go to your bios and disable usb. Then you won't be lying. They can and will send you an ethernet modem if they believe that's the only way to get you connected. Short of that, thank them for their modem then go tuck it in a closet before skipping out to best buy, comp usa, whateva... to buy an ethernet cable modem. Steady, reliable connection vs. windows won't play nice, please reboot me again. The choice is obvious. I agree that a router is the way to go. Your ISP, more than likely, will chitter rudely at you and refuse to support you if you have any issues until you remove the router from the setup. Unless you get someone less than intelligent, they will know. That's no big deal, just to let you know so it doesn't come as a shock.

[glc]

Kitty: They do things differently in the UK - Im pretty sure that BT residential ADSL, for example, is 100% USB only.

[mikey_dude]

Hi glc,

The UK has two comms companies offering broadband - BT which offers ADSL at 500kbps and ntl (the service I've chosen to use) which offers Cable at 600kbps. Both of these modems connect using USB.

There are other companies offering broadband but they buy the service from either BT or ntl.

Michael.

[Squirrel Blaze]

I have 4 computers on a router sharing a cabel modem. I found this to be the easiest way to share the connection because its a wireless. Althought it is slightly slower its just fine!

[glc]

Mikey - I believe you can get an Ethernet modem for NTL, it would be to your great advantage if you could.

[kittyfire]

My bad, didn't realize we were dealing with the UK. I will say, however, if they're trying to go to USB only for their broadband connectivity, there's got to be a huge demand for techs there. Job security = good and it amazes me that any business would choose a "solution" that causes more problems than it solves.

[mikey_dude]

Hi,

I got the cable modem yesterday and it does come with an ethernet connection!!! I have a cat5e cable...would it be difficult to set it up to another machine using this and a nic?

[ktkendall]

Are you now asking to share to more than one PC?? If so then you can set it up on both but can not share simultaneously without the above mentioned sharing/DSL-router, or ICS(which will require one of the PC's to have 2NIC's). If you set the software and the conection up on both PC's without sharing device you would have to move the cable fron PC to PC for either one to get online.

[mikey_dude]

Hi,

Ideally, I'd like to keep the cable modem on my machine (connected via usb) and use an ethernet cable and the required software to connect the modem to another machine. I'm happy to keep my machine on for the other one to get a connection.

Would this be possible or would I need to buy extra equipment and what software would I need?

Thanks for your help

[glc]

No, you can't use both connections simultaneously. You only get 1 IP address from your ISP and you WILL need a router or ICS to share the connection. Seriously, buy a router, they are selling like crazy over here in the States. They not only share out the connection but act as a good firewall too. As Kittyfire says, USB broadband connections can be a huge pain in the butt, 100% Ethernet is the only way to fly.

From Dabs:

Type Networks: Routers
Mfr Linksys Networking
Description
Availability
Price(exc/inc)
Etherfast Cable/DSL Router RTR 4Port 10/100 4 RJ45
Mfr code: BEFSR41
Quicklinx: 15KMWS
3-4 days
£49.00

£57.57

And - here are network cards if you need them:

Etherfast 10/100 LAN Cards Auto Sensing
Mfr code: LNE100TX
Quicklinx: 15LMWS
3 now

374 1-3 days
£15.00
£17.62


All you have to do is this:

Set up your connection on your PC using the Ethernet port on the modem and a NIC (network card) with your CAT5 cable. Then disconnect the CAT5 cable from your NIC and plug it into the WAN port on the router. Then put a NIC in each other PC and connect each PC's NIC to a switch port on the router (there are 4) with CAT5 and run the install CD. Presto, Internet access on all PC's, no USB hassles, and all PC's can be turned off and on at will without breaking the Internet connectivity.

[mikey_dude]

Hi glc,

Thanks for all the info. When I've sorted a few things out, I'll get those on order. Luckily, both PCs have NICs but winxp doesnt recognise my one yet.

I'm likely to have problems in the installation process so I'll probably write back soon Thanks again glc.

[mikey_dude]

Hi,

Its a while since I started this thread but I would just like to say that I have the router up and running and its been working flawlessly.

I would like to thank glc and others for their help with this. You guys here are top class