4PCs at home, need to setup a network ... how

[BigBirdZ28]

3 Athlon +2100s, 1 P31Ghz, 1 P3 450Mhz.

Need to network them up so they can share :
#1 ADSL connection
#2 CDR
#3 Scanner
#4 Printer
#5 Misc resources

Main concerns
#1 Firewall protection
#2 Virus Protection

Design
4 pcs to be connected to my pc where ADSL is currently connected.

I'm using Zone alarm pro & nav2002 on my own pc but will that be enough to secure the lan.

Is all I need just to connect a hub to my pc & the others to that hub ?

In the future when I get a seperate computer to be te server, is ram more important, processing poewr ot both ?

Note : ADSL connection bandwidth is normally saturated 99% of the time.

Will this affect the performance of my pc when performing non network related tasks ?

)-| )-| )-|

Thanks in advance.

[BipolarBill]

You can't share a scanner over a network - not an affordable one anyway. You can't record CDs over a network either.

You will need a cable/DSL router to share the connection. It acts as a firewall, so that's taken care of. The Linksys BEFSR41 will work for you and is well known here. It has a built-in 5-port switch/hub too. There is a version with a print server built in too, but it must be a parallel printer - not USB. You could possibly use Windows Internet Connection Sharing, but the host PC needs to be up 24/7 and firewall protection is problematice. The router is far superior.

You won't need a server with the router. That said, CPU, RAM and hard drive performance are all important in a server. Hard drive speed is the most important.

With the router, no one PC will be strained by the network.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=220898&zip_code=77489&found=1&ut=c7de0e02132a65d9

[BigBirdZ28]

Thanks for the reply bill.

Just to clear a few things up. I have an alcatel speedtouch adsl modem provided by the isp. Do i have to replace this with the router with integrated adsl ?

I looked at an adsl router but there was no mention of a built in firewall, so from then I assumed that not all of them have integrated firewalls. It said something about support for a packet sniffer. It was an aztec 9100 if i remember correctly.

The link you provided is very helpful, looks like I'll go down that route if I cant just hook everything up to a hub : / .

thx again for your reply bill.

[BipolarBill]

If the Alcatel has no RJ-45 (Ethernet) port, you cannot use the Linksys. Some do and some don't have them. If yours is strictly USB, you'll have to use ICS and individual firewalls.

Cable/DSL routers use NAT (Network Address Translation) to share a connection. This is a natural firewall because internal addresses cannot be seen from the outside. It's no cure for bone-headed downloads or dirty e-mail, but it's very effective against hackers.

Packet-sniffers are not for home use, They cost thousands of dollars. You don't need one.

[BigBirdZ28]

great ! I've made up my mind then.

Ditch the alcatel, hook the pcs up to the lynksys dsl router, cdr & scanner on my bro's pc (so i dont have that 1nce a month use stuff eating my registry)

Only thing is the BEFSR41 router is 4 port, but I have 5pcs & possibly 2-3 more in the next few months. Im hoping all i'll need to make this work is small ethernet hub ? or should I go with the BEFSR81 8 port ?

Just need to sort this problem out & i'll order it within minutes.

I'm not that great with networking, but this is my big ticket to learn & i'm hot on it !

thanks for the great help Bill, i really really appreciate it.

[BigBirdZ28]

http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=23&prid=155

Note:
This unit requires an external Cable or DSL modem with an Ethernet RJ-45 interface.

so does this mean i'll have to get another adsl modem : / .

I was hoping to get an adsl modem+hub+whatever else I need to sort out the network in 1 box. Am I asking for too much ?

oh the alcatel is USB !! Is there no usb->ethernet adapter I can smack on ?

[BipolarBill]

Your ISP should offer an Ethernet modem alternative or suggest one that you can buy which will work on their network. Alcatel does make a USB/RJ-45 combo unit.

[BipolarBill]

Originally posted by BigBirdZ28
Only thing is the BEFSR41 router is 4 port, but I have 5pcs & possibly 2-3 more in the next few months. Im hoping all i'll need to make this work is small ethernet hub ? or should I go with the BEFSR81 8 port ?All you need to do is add a 4-5 port hub, but the BEFSR81 makes sense.

[BigBirdZ28]

Bill so what difference between the lynksys setup & this one :

ADSL combo router (8 ports+adsl modem+router) ?

I thought that lynksys had a built in modem :(. I'd prefer everything in a single box.

[BipolarBill]

Having the modem and router combined is a bad idea because you might have to throw away the unit if you moved to another ISP. Modems have to be compatible with the ISP's system. Routers are generic Ethernet. Besides, I've never heard of a combo modem and router.

You should be talking with your ISP - not be. Ring 'em up.

[Seajay]

I agree with Bill---first talk to your ISP for a
compatible modem. I have DSL and use the Alcatel
speed touch ethernet modem and a D-Link DI-704P
router. The P at the end means it has a built-in
print server so that any computer set up to access
the print server may do so without another computer, that the printer would be attached to,
having to be booted up.
Mine is a 4 port router but you can get routers
with more ports. I saw a 7 port one at dlink.com
However, I think a 4 port router and added hub(s)
or switches would do the job for you. You didn't
say whether all your PCs had network capability, which they will need also(on-board or NIC).
Good Luck!

[AllGamer]

Originally posted by BipolarBill
If the Alcatel has no RJ-45 (Ethernet) port, you cannot use the Linksys. Some do and some don't have them. If yours is strictly USB, you'll have to use ICS and individual firewalls.


Bill an update

http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=23&prid=448

http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=435

Those 2 are USB/Routers/Switche by linksys

so yes is possible

[BipolarBill]

Nope. While a Linksys router with USB can have a USB connection to one PC, It cannot host a USB modem. Only a computer with a USB host controller can host a USB device. The router isn't a computer and requires a CPU to be one.

[AllGamer]

huh ?!?! :confused:
then that will defeat the purpose of having that usb router?

you suppose to connect the USB from the DSL to the Router, then the router will convert that into normal Ethernet. So computers just hook up normally to the router/switch to get the DSL

[BipolarBill]

No - what happens here is that the router has an extra USB connection to connect to one of the PCs at a lowly 12Mbps. It also has Ethernet ports for other PCs. Frankly, I think it's stupid, but people are asking for it, so Linksys made it.

Download the PDF for the unit and see for yourself.

There's a USB technology coming down the pike called USB-on-the-Go which will allow devices to connect directly to one another. Naturally, those devices must be designed for it. Until then, there will be no USB modem-to-router connections. :(

[AllGamer]

I see what you are saying now, so basically it's more like a USB Hub type of thing that a real USB router.
:rolleyes:
as for the USB to go.
that sounds like what USB 2.0 has to offer.
USB to USB networking, remember? :t

[BipolarBill]

Yes - how can I forget. The problem with that is you need a "device" and can't use a simple cable like Firewire can. If you connect two PCs directly with a USB cable, you'll smell smoke because both carry +5V. What is needed is a cable with a device on it like this:

http://www.usbwholesale.com/images/8.jpg