Network + Internet connection

[Michaell]

As one of the more PC knowledgeable people in the office I've been selected to network 9 (mixed Win98/Win98SE) computers and have them share Internet access via a DSL line. While I have no trouble working on one computer, I’ve never approached the topic of networking. All I need is for the 9 computers to be able to get on the Internet at the same time, and share 3 printers that are conencted to 3 of the 9 computers. I’ve read up on this and come up with the following setup.

A central hub that connects the 9 computers (CAT 5 cable.) Printers are shared throught Windows. (Is this possible ?) This would be fine to network them all, but I the problem is how do I give them all internet access using only one DSL line? All comments, suggestions, guides, is welcomes.

Best Regards,
Michael

[Orcmonkey]

I'd go with a router... It has the sharing built in, and also acts as a switch (better version of a hub) You can get a router with more than the typical 4 ports, so look around at linksys, netgear, dlink etc...

[DrZaius]

I agree, go with a router with a single LAN port and a 16-port switch. For the printers to be shared each one must be connected to one system and that system must be on to print, unless the printers have their own printer server built-in.

[homer15]

i'm with everyone else on the router idea. they come with switches, which improve performance on your network over a hub. the printers being shared for each computer is fine, but i'd also suggest purchasing some little print servers, that way the users computer wouldn't have to be on in order to print. other than that, networking them together should be a breeze.

[glc]

Linksys BEFSR41 4 port DSL/cable sharing router (only $10 more than a 1 port)

Linksys EZXS88W 8 port 10/100 switch

Linksys EPSX3 3 parallel port print server

Centrally locate the printers. Cat5 cabling as needed.

[homer15]

Originally posted by glc Centrally locate the printers. Cat5 cabling as needed.

i don't think you'd have to centrally locate the printers. they could still remain around their original terminals, it'd just need more cable.

[glc]

They would have to be centrally located if you use a single 3 port print server unless you want parallel cables strung along the floor, lots more economical than 3 separate single port servers - and 3 servers would put you 2 ports over the capacity of the 4 port router and 8 port switch with 9 computers - the uplink eats 1 port on each device.

[homer15]

i stand corrected.

but moving the printers might not be an option. if it isn't, you might have to go with the single port servers, and get a bigger switch.

[Michaell]

Thank you very much for all your current help. So as I've been researching my network would stand like this. Linksys BEFSR81 or Linksys BEFSR41 (which one is better for me, I got mixed responses?). Connected to Linksys EZXS88W 8 port 10/100 switch. I assume there is some sort of special cable required. (Did I mention this is my first time approaching networking?) The 3 printers are already connected to the three machines, and since I can't move them I'll just enable sharing printers via windows, is this possible? Also I got a question, "Built-In 10/100 8-Port Switch! Supports up to 253 Users". If it only got 8 ports, how do you get 253 users? Please don't laugh, I just don’t understand this.

[glc]

You connect the router to the switch using a standard Cat5 patch cable from a straight port on one unit to the uplink port of the other - which is which doesn't matter. Stick with the 4 port router unless you need the quality of service enhancements that the 8 port router offers. If you go with the 8 port router, you will only need the EZXS55 5 port switch. The router supports up to 253 users by uplinking it to more switches. Sharing printers with Windows is fine, but that means that the machine has to be on for the printer to be accessible across the network.

[Jay32]

While your researching your equipment, talk to someone in the DSL providers tech dept. Find out if there are any compatibility problems with the router you've selected and the modem they provide. I recently set up a similiar network and found out after the fact that the LinkSys router did not play well with their Speedstream modem. The guy in the tech. dept. actually chuckled when I told him I was using a LinkSys router. At first I thought it was just a defective router, but after talking to three other people in the area that had the same problem with LinkSys routers, I switched to the SMC Barricade and life has been good since. (People really get PO'ed when they can't check their email!)

I know alot of folks here like the LinkSys routers, but after having my hands on both, I prefer the SMC. Front ports, rackmount or desktop, a nice flat steel case, built in print server, lifetime warranty and a nice user interface, but it'll cost you about $20 more.

[glc]

The Linksys plays very nicely with any PPPoE modem I have seen as long as it has fairly recent firmware. The earlier Linksys routers did have problems with PPPoE.