Setting Up Network advice

[Battery Powered]

Hi

I have a broadband connection and want to have a 2 computer network running from it.

Could you please suggest the best way I should go about this, like what equipment (cables etc..) I will need, should I go for router or direct cable connection etc...

(Oh and one of the computers is a server for a site I host)
(and im on a dynamic IP if its nessesary to know)

I wish to be able to expand the network later aswell

Hope you can help acomplete newbie to networks :-)

Regards,
James

[DrZaius]

Hi James,

The best solution is definately a router. You just need a network card for each computer, and connect all the systems to the router. Good brands are SMC, Netgear, and Linksys and they can be found for around $100 or even cheaper if you find a good sale/deal.

[Battery Powered]

Thx,

do routers usually come with the appropriate cables or is that a seperate purchase
(i ask as a friend had problems with what type of cable to use)

Thanks again for your help


Regards,
James

[freezinbutt]

Hi James,

Another vote for a router. Look for one with a built in switch. Linksys has a nice 4 port router/switch combo. I can't remember the model number, but glc will once he sees this post.

freezinbutt

[BFD Deadeye]

Linksys BEFSR41. I have one, and love it.

[Guardian]

Along with the router, the Linksys BEFSR41 is the one I just installed, you'll need CAT 5 cabeling. You'll need the cable coming from the wall to the cable box. That should have been supplied by your cable provider.

Then you'll need a CAT 5 cable from the cable box to the WAN port on the router. A CAT 5 cable will connect from each port on the router to the NIC cards on each PC in you network.

Since I had three PCs that I connected to my Linksys router, I had to purchase the router and three packages of CAT 5 cabeling.

I bought the router at BEST BUY for $69US and the cabeling at Wal-Mart for $7US (14ft.).

Took me about 15 minutes at home to set up the entire network. Just remember to disable any firewall software you might be running before hooking everything up.

[Battery Powered]

Right, you lot have been a tremedas help, i really thank you all for it

Two more questions, the two computers im trying to network have differnet O.S's
Ones on Window$ME and the other i have Windows2000/RedHat

Will the multi O.S's effect anyhting?

and

the network cards on the two computers are of different brands, would they be compatable with eachother?

And thanks again for all your help, i apreciate it

James

[Battery Powered]

I have another question, (more you ask....)


The router you mentioned (Linksys BEFSR41) does that come with built in protection , and is it any good

(I guess i should just go to the manufacturers page)
But thought i would ask people who use it

Thanks again everyone,

James

[DrZaius]

Hi James,

NIC brand and OS don't matter, they can all connect to the router. And yes, the Linksys does come with a built-in firewall.

[LawyerRon]

Hi James, Linksys is a popular router, but DLink and Netgear make very good routers too. I use a Netgear and recently set up a DLink for a friend. Go for the best price among the three brands. They will all get the job done. And yes, a router acts as a "hardware" firewall, theoretically making you invisible to the outside world. Setting these networks up is very easy so don't worry about it.

[glc]

If you are hosting a server behind a router, you will have to sacrifice some firewall protection, as you will have to either forward the appropriate ports or put the server in the router's "DMZ". It's generally a lot better in the long run to host your domain on a commercial host unless you are prepared to take a lot of steps to ensure proper security - in other words, let the pros do it. Also, running servers on a residential cable modem often violates the ISP's terms of service.

[Battery Powered]

the domain is hosted with "pro's",
im just wondering if the box behind the router will still be able to act as a server, i mean as LawyerRon said,it becomes invisible to the outside world, if it does become invisible then im stuck,

can i configure the routers built in firmwall (or what the protection is) to allow certain port requests to come through
(im guessing you can, as with a normal firewall)

Thx for all ur replys,

Regards,
James

[Battery Powered]

I have yet another question, this time its about the cables,
Gaurdian suggested i needed Cat5 cableing,


i have nothing, only the two computers and the nics, will i just need some Cat5 from the modem to the router and then from the router to various computers

Thx
James

[Confused]

There will be a CAT5 cable from modem to router and then a cable from each NIC to router.

2 PC's would require 3 cable's. One from router to modem and one from each PC to router.

Make sure that your modem has Ethernet jack (RJ45 for CAT5 cable) as some people on this forum have tried to set up networks with routers only to discover that their modem only has USB connection.
Chas

[Battery Powered]

Bugger, my modem is USB

Has this ruined my chance??

[Confused]

Is it only USB? Mine has both USB and RJ45. If only USB then you have a problem. I haven't seen any routers with a USB uplink port. Admittedly it has been a while since I looked.
Chas

[Battery Powered]

I have the green frog/stingray looking broadband modem,

http://www.adslguide.org/images/speedtouch1_adslg.jpg
(this is a link to a picture ofmy modem)

Does that help,>?

i looked at the conecter and i can only seem means of it having usb capabilities, nothgin else.

This link
http://www.adslguide.org/hardware/re...gor2200usb.asp

Seems to be the only router that would sufice my needs,

Does anyoone know/owned/used this router, if so could you share some light on it,
Is it worth shelling out for, £200 seems alot for a router

Regards,
James

[glc]

That router looks like it would work, but the price is incredibly steep compared to Ethernet routers. Is there a way you can exchange your modem for an Ethernet model?

[Battery Powered]

Its a good idea, im on a 500 line and i know that if u upgrade to 1000/2000 lines then u get an ethernet router with built in 4 port hub (if thats what its called)

So BT do offer them, i'll have to ask


Or i could just spalsh out the £170 a month and upgrade to a 2mbit line (i wish)

my line = £20 / month 50k
upgrade= £170/ month 200k

Up, do u think bt would mind me having 4 50k's, it would be aloth cheeper

Im kidding, BT are weird!


James

[ktkendall]

I have the above mentioned setup and the linksys router is the best improvement I've gotten since DSL. You can uninstall all of your ISP's software off of your machines, you're always connected and you can block any of your PC's from reaching the internet, and it is password protected to get into the router's settings. I have the model with the 4-port switch built in and use MYPC, KIDSPC, AND laptop all can be cruising the internet way faster than either one could ever on dialup. I'm looking for one of those little mini print servers for that fourth port so any of the 3 PC's will be able to print without having to have the main PC on!
Best 99 dollars I think I ever spent on any PC related device was definately that router!

[Battery Powered]

the Linksys does seem the best investment, but buying one would mean i would have to change my broadband modem

this would be a pain and no doubt require an upgrade fee on BTs behalf,
I'll have to get on the phone to them :_))


thanks for all your help everyone,

and if anyone gets any fresh ideas im still open

Regards,
James

[troubleshooter]

James,

I'm a registered dealer for the Draytek Vigor 2200USB modem. AS far as I've heard, it works brilliantly with BT's ADSL modems.

Last night was my first go at setting one up. I'm not quite there yet, and I posted a message in the Internet/WWW board asking if anyone knew how to set it up. Unfortunately, the documentation is about 80% there, but doesn't explain all the options for NAT and sharing. I'm learning on-the-fly, as I do with everything, and I hope to compile a sensible install guide when I know what I'm doing.

The only thing about the VIGOR that I don't like is that it's a bit expensive, but if you want to buy one, I can do you a discount on the RRP. My main concern at the moment though is getting the sodding thing up and running.

If anyone has seen my post in the Net/WWW board, or can help with this one, I'm all ears ( or is that eyes?)

Troubleshooter

[Battery Powered]

Hello troubleshooter,

sorry its taken so long to reply,

and your offer is very kind and i dont kow what to say but thankyou, it would be a great if you can do as you say.

If you need to contact me my email is imstuck@my-desk.co.uk

I thankyou again for your kind offer and appreciate it greatly,

Hope we talk soon,

Many Regards,
James