Getting DSL...How do I share it? Please help!

[Tullphan]

I'm on a budget. I'm getting DSL & I have 2 pc's. How can I share it with 2 pc's in 2 different rooms? Am I going to have to network? If I do network, will the other pc be able to see or access my files?
I'll think of more questions later...hehe.
Thanks in advance.

 

[TomBilliodeaux]

Can you run CAT 5 cable to each? That will be the cheapeast way.
If not, obviously you will have to use wireless NIC's.

Assuming you will run CAT5 network cable, the next question you need to tell us is what o/s are you using.

If XP, it will be easy. Look in this section and someone posted a link to how to do this.
Also XP has an easy walk thru when you select "make new connection". Just tell it how you want to connect and it will direct you thru and make a setup file you will run on the other computer that will make all the network/internet settings.

nullPractically Networking link

 

[JackMDS]

More about the issues.

AnandTech - FAQ . Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

AanadTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Once you install NIC, and the drivers XP will install the basic Network setting by it self.

For File, and printer sharing you have a lot of info here:

Windows XP Network Protocols

Windows XP Simple File Sharing

Windows XP Professional File Sharing.

XP File Sharing Trouble

 

[Tullphan]

Will I need a firewall?
I have Sygate installed on both. Is that sufficient?
I'm running XP on both pc's. They are in separate rooms, but at this time I cannot afford wireless nics, etc.
Can I just share the DSL & nothing else?
Thanks again.

 

[JackMDS]

Share your DSL for $19.

Cable/DSL Router $39- $20 (reabte)=$19.

 

[skyking]

We need just a little bit more info. Is this DSL service with an external modem and RJ45 connection? Or is it external with USB? Or is it an internal PCI modem?

Can I just share the DSL & nothing else?

Absolutely. You can even have the two computers in different workgroups, it does not matter. All you need to do is configure TCP/IP properly on the machines, and use a router.

 

[Tullphan]

When I inquired about the DSL modem installation, they said all I had to do was disconnect the telephone wire from my modem, hook it into the DSL modem (external) & run a CAT5 (?) wire to my LAN port.
I presently have a Linksys "Fast Ethernet 10/100 Network in a Box", but was told if I hooked it up i'd have more trouble.
I didn't know about the firewall thing either.
(both machines are running XP & both have Sygate installed.)

 

[skyking]

Good news! You will be able to use many different routers with your setup.
I suggest you wait until you actually have the hardware at hand, and find out about your connection specifics. It is possible (though unlikely) that you will get a router with NAT and DHCP server options from your ISP. In this case, all you would need is a switch, or hub.
The most likely scenario requires a router/switch combo, or a single port router, if you already have a switch or hub.

 

[Tullphan]

Why won't that "Network in a Box" that I have work?
I realize that I may not need the cards, but won't the "5-Port 10/100Mbp Auto-Sensing Hub" work?

 

[skyking]

You need a router to route the packets to the proper machine, and DHCP is nice for the lazy ones (me). It assigns the LAN IP's automatically for you.
The "network in a box" is just that; a hub or switch connects up computers, forming a network. It does not share an internet connection.

 

[Maqo]

Tullphan, in addition to what's been posted here's what I'd recommend based on my experience:

1) Use ZoneAlarm instead of Sygate. While they are both decent products, from the sound of things I think ZoneAlarm would suit you much better (and I have never been hacked with ZoneAlarm, but I have with Sygate, by the by)

2) While it is true that you cannot technically "share" an internet connection using the Linksys "Network in a Box," (as you could as described in #3), when I had DSL and I had the same Linksys switch I found that it was actually possible to use the same username/password to sign on several computers at once. My setup was as follows: RJ-45 cable connected from wall outlet to modem; CAT-5 cable from modem to uplink port in switch; CAT-5 cable run to each of 3 PC's using the remaining ports. (my DSL provider was Verizon, fyi)

3) If you can't get that to work, get the Linksys Cable/DSL router (BEFSR41). For about $60 all you have to do is plug in the CAT-5 from the modem to the uplink port, plug in each PC as before, only this time the router does almost all of it's own configuration for itself and each PC automatically, it literally "shares" the connection using something called NAT (network address translation). While you still only have one DSL account and username/password, the router will act as your own internal server for all the PC's connected to it. (I had it up and running out of the box with just the quick setup card in about 5 minutes).

Good luck!

 

[Tullphan]

I have 2 choices of wireless router/switches at work. The Linksys BEFW11S4 and the MS MN-500. I can also get the wireless adaptor, the Linksys WUSB11 or the MS MN-510. Is one better than the other? Easier to install?
Am I correct in reading that I can run a short CAT5 cable from the router to one pc & do the wireless thing with the other?
Thanks again.

 

[skyking]

Hardwire all the computers that you can to the router/WAP. The connection is without a doubt superior to wireless in every way.
Reserve the wireless connections for roaming computers, or areas that are very hard to reach with copper.
I have just set up the Microsoft kit, and found it to be a painless install. I cannot say about the others, as I am a wireless newbie

 

[Tullphan]

I'm only hooking up 2 pc's at this time. The main pc, where the router will be, and my wife's pc, which is in a different room (approx. 25' away). I really don't want to run cable across the hall & around the walls or underneath the house. That's why I was hoping either of these units would accept cat5 along with the wireless.

 

[skyking]

you can wire the one next to the router directly to it using a cat5 cable.

 

[LRH]

To share internet connection is more easy from Win2K u can make ur lan network and after
go to the preporties of the ethernet card who u have the dsl and check the share internet connection.

 

[Tullphan]

I think i'm gonna stick with WinXP as that's what i'm used to, but thanks for your input.
I guess i'm gonna do the wired thing...I can't justify 4X the cost to hook up 1 pc & i'm still not sure about the reliability of wireless.

 

[Tullphan]

OK...I got in on this deal here & I was wondering...if I don't have the other pc set up yet, how much hassle is it going to be to run one pc off the DSL modem until I get the other pc ready? Will it cause problems when I get ready to network?

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
I'm only hooking up 2 pc's at this time. The main pc, where the router will be, and my wife's pc, which is in a different room (approx. 25' away). I really don't want to run cable across the hall & around the walls or underneath the house. That's why I was hoping either of these units would accept cat5 along with the wireless.

It sounds like you need a 4 port wireless router, like the Linksys BEFW11S4. Just plug your DSL modem into one of these and then plug your local computer into one of the 4 ports on the router. Then, get a wireless card like this, and put it in your other computer. That way, you won't have to run any cables.

 

[Tullphan]

So will it hurt anything to get one pc set up with DSL then network later? Will it cause more problems doing it that way?
I'm remodeling the room the wife's pc will be in & it ain't ready yet.

 

[skyking]

My Recommendation: If you have the router there, take the time to get it set up now. This way, when you go to add your wife's computer, it will be very easy to do.
If you do not have the router yet, it is fine to hook directly up to the modem for now

 

[JackMDS]

You better buy a Router now, just in case they are pulling them off the market.

They selling some of them for less the $10.

So pretty soon there will be none.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=36&threadid=953586

 

[Tullphan]

I got in on the compaq wireless router deal.
I can hook my pc up to it w/the dsl modem w/o hooking another pc to it?

 

[skyking]

Yes. With a router set up, computers can come and go anytime. A friend can bring his over for gaming, you can plug a laptop in and unplug it anytime.
Set the router up now, if you have it (see above)