Multiple DSL Modems for one DSL service?

[Marc]

I just recently got DSL service. I currently have my wife's PC hooked up to the DSL service and will soon be hooking up my PC. I have no home network, so I will be forced to unhook the DSL modem from her PC and hooking it up to mine whenever I want to use DSL on my computer. Is it possible to buy a second modem, then have them both hooked up to DSL at the same time on the same service?

[Gizmo]

No. You need to get yourself a router to network both yours and your wife's computer up to share the DSL connection. I would sniff around Newegg to find a decent one for you, but I've run out of time. Hopefully someone else will come along and point you towards a solid router.

[glc]

Yes you can, but you will have to turn the power off one before you can power up the other one.

A sharing router is a much better alternative, you can both be on simultaneously then. If you don't feel like running a network cable, one of the computers can use a wireless adapter.

[Byte 2.0]

GLC is right on the money with that.

Also the cost of a New DSL modem is normally more then the price of a wireless router, which seem to run around 60 for good Linksys routers, of course you would need a wireless adapters for one of the computers as well.

[Marc]

Thanks for your replies: My plan was to turn the power off the DSL modem not in use....just wasn't sure if that would work. Thanks for letting me know it will work. The reason I was pursuing the second modem option instead of the router option was the fact I now know how to install a DSL modem and I have never installed or worked with a router. Is it difficult to use a router to connect computers. Is adding a router the same thing as creating a network? Are there compatibility issues between different computers? For example, my PC is Windows 98 while my wifes is Windows XP.

[bailey]

normally all you do is connect the router to the modem and then turn on, then connect each computer to the router and your both on line, sometimes you do need to set some settings for the dsl modem in the router, but glc can explaine that better than I can

[glc]

Believe me - a router is a piece of cake to set up. The documentation that comes with any router is adequate for anyone to set up the router with, regardless of technical ability.

[newbe]

MARC,
I agree with DBG and GLC. The router is a snap to setup. I did mine wireless with d-link Di-524 and d-link dwl-g120. I have a mac and pc on the system. The mac is on the router and the pc is using a usb connection. The d-link dwl-g120. Also believe me when i say "if i can do it anyone can" . The system was the first time with dsl and router setup done at same time.

NEWBE

[Techdec42]

Yea, like GLC said its basicly common sense.

[edfair]

This may not apply to you but you should be aware that some providers tie your service into the mac address you are connecting with. So throwing a different mac address at the service upsets it.
There are also some handshaking values between the provider and your modem, so there is the possibility that another one might not work until you get into the second and change the setup.
I ran into this with SBC settings trying to connect with BellSouth service using speedstream devices I bought on ebay.

[Marc]

Well I got my ethernet card from NewEgg, and finally got some time to install it. Now my PC works with DSL just as it does with my wife's PC. My wife normally doesn't like me spending time on my PC, but now that we have to share the modem, she has been asking me when I will be installing the router!!! The question I have now is what would be a good router to buy. Since I've never worked with routers, I know nothing about the differences between them. What I'm looking for is something that is simple to set up, reliable, and minimum hassle. I don't want a wireless router since I have no problem running the wire between the two PC's (the PC's are just a short distance from each other in adjoining rooms.....just need to run a short run of wire and drill a hole in the wall).

[glc]

The simplest and most reliable standard wired router out there is a Linksys BEFSR41. I think out of the 50 or so I've set up, only 1 or 2 have failed. 50 bucks at Newegg, I know there are plenty of other units that cost less, but if you look around you may be able to catch a sale or a rebate deal on one. I have 2 of them here, both used, from customers that have upgraded to wireless. I figured I'd use one myself and keep the other as a spare and for troubleshooting in the field.

Installation is a snap. If you use connection software for the DSL (enter a username and password on the computer) uninstall it, make sure the TCP/IP on each computer is set to obtain IP address automatically, connect the modem to the WAN port on the router, connect the 2 computers to numbered ports, restart the modem, power up the router, reboot the computer, open a browser, surf to http://192.168.1.1, leave the login name blank, use admin for password, choose PPPoE connection, enter your username and password, choose "keepalive", apply/save changes, and you are online.

If your modem is handling the PPPoE and/or routing functions (no connection software on the PC's), before doing this you need to log into the modem's interface and switch the modem into the "bridge" mode. If you have SBC and were shipped a Speedstream 5100 modem within the past few months, this will be the case.

[ktkendall]

Originally Posted by Techdec42 Yea, like GLC said its basicly common sense.

Yes it's easy as GLC said, and the documentation should allow anyone the ability to set up their router, but imagine if U never even worked on a PC at all, it's common sense to us that have done it, but just as the person in the original post in this thread, dosesn't want to do it cause he has never done it, and I guarantee without our support to let him know that he can AND the directions he probably can not do it with common sense, because what one person considers common sense is a totally foreign concept to another person.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by glc The simplest and most reliable standard wired router out there is a Linksys BEFSR41.

Are there any issues with compatibility between different manufacturers of networking hardware. For example, I just installed a D-Link DFE-530TX+ ethernet card on my Windows 98 PC. Is there a risk of the D-Link ethernet card and the Linksys router not working well together? If so, I could go with a D-Link DI-604 router. If not, the concepts of simplicity and reliability appeal to me and I would go with the Linksys.

Additional Info:
PC 1: HP computer running Windows 98 (mine)
PC 2: Dell computer running Windows XP (wife's)
Broadband Service: Verizon DSL

[glc]

The only time it's better to match brands is with wireless gear. ANY wired ethernet card will work fine with ANY wired router. The DFE-530TX+ is my cheap card of choice, by the way.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by glc The DFE-530TX+ is my cheap card of choice, by the way.

Yeah, I bought the DFE-530TX+ based on your recommendation. Thanks for this new recommendation for routers.