- - - - -DSL NETWORK SOLUTION- - - - -

[TechJumper]

Finally, at 6:00 this afternoon, I was able to order DSL (I've been waiting for over a year)! To prepare for the installation, I need to buy some network cards and hub.

My system specs: (2 computers)

comp 1

PIII 450 Mhz
128 MB RAM
Win2k
10GB

comp 2

PII 350 Mhz
64 MB RAM
Win98 SE
8 GB


What is the best networking solution for these computers, the only reason I need to network them is to share the DSL connection.


Best,

Michael Morelli
TechJumper

[jamis]

Here are some previous threads that may offer you some answers...
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum6/HTML/001564.html
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum6/HTML/001545.html
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum6/HTML/001529.html
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum6/HTML/001527.html

But basically, you'll need 1 network card for each computer, network cables, a hub/switch, and either another network card or a router. Check those threads out for suggestions.

[brandon184]

If you plan on using the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service, you will need to place a SECOND network interface (ethernet) card in the main computer.

Otherwise, you will be unable to share an internet connection.

- Brandon

[TechJumper]

The links provided by jamis clearly offer a viable solution to my query, but I would like to hear more configs. What are yours, if you have them? Because I know very little about networking I would like to make this a learning experience as well as a definite upgrade from 56k.


Best,

Michael Morelli
TechJumper

[kenyg]

I have two computers, both sharing an SDSL line. Before DSL, I had installed the Linksys home networking kit - consisting of two Nic cards and a 4 port hub (and used the ICS sharing is WIN98, later WinME). After signing up for DSL, I bought the Linksys BEFSR11 (one port) Cable/DSL router (because I already had a hub - there is a 4 port one available for use without a hub). The whole thing works great - The DSL line connects to the DSL Modem, which then connects to the BEFSR11, which then connects to the uplink port on my Hub - which then connects the two PC's - a 600Mhz home built Athlon system and an aging packard bell. Both work great, my DSL is supposed to be 784K - I usually see speeds around 720-770 on both PCs. The router provides good internet security as well - I've scanned myself at 'sheilds up' and am always reported in 'Stealth mode' meaning I'm invisible to the internet.

[jamis]

I also went the 1 port router path (Netgear rt311)....

My cable modem plugs into the router, the router to the hub, and my 3 machines into the hub. Voila, internet and LAN work beautifully.

My previous setup was a Linux box with 2 NICs as my server... One NIC went to the cable modem, the other to the hub, and my 2 other machines each to the hub. The linux box is still my email and web server, but now I dont have to rely on it for NAT also.

[finger51]

I have a 3 comp network sharing DSL in my house and the best thing I invested in was the Linksys DSL/Cable router. Plug the DSL into the uplink, set the router to DHCP and plug the boxes in and it just goes! Handles PPPoE too! Great investment.

[darrelld]

I have never seen any information about the configuration I use, but here it is. I use the phone line to network my computers(linksys), then a second nic in the host to the modem. This eliminates the $100.00 hub.The only drawback is that networking through the phone line is limited to 1Mbps. A little slow for file transfer, but probably faster than your DSL.

[TechJumper]

I see, very solid config!

Tell me more about it! what nic's, cost,

Do I understand this correctly. You make the host computer become the "hub." If this is so why would there ever be a need for a hub. Please remember this is not a derogatory remark at all, I will try your config, i am just trying to get ALL the facts for everything before I give my parents the bill :-)

[jamis]

A network card (NIC) runs anywhere from 5 bucks for a cheap ISA card to well over 50 bucks for a brandname PCI card.. I recommend getting mid-line PCI cards made by intel, 3com, linksys or netgear.. they run about 30-40 bucks each.

A hub runs anywere from 20 bucks for a 4 port 10Mbps to alot more... depending on speed, switching ability, and number of ports. For the typical home network, a 4 or 8 port hub is all you need.. 10Mbps, or maybe a 10/100Mbps one if you do alot of local file transfers. Switches offer more efficient use of bandwidth but you probably wouldnt notice much difference on a 2-4 machine LAN.

A DSL/Cable modem router usually runs from about $90-$200 .. Linksys sells a decent on for about $150 that come with a 4 or 8 port 10/100Mbps switch.. so you don't need to get one of these seperately.

[darrelld]

The cards I used were linksys, they can be configured to use your existing phone line, or they can be used as a standard ethernet card. The configuration is automatic depending on which you plug into them. I bought them a year ago for $50.00, probably less now.
The reason I use them is I didn't want to run any wiring to network, the phonelines are already there. They won't mess with phone service either. There are some other options that will work the same, wireless, and one that uses the electrical lines. The phone line option was the most cost effective. http://www.linksys.com/support/display.asp. Like I said the drawback was the speed being limited to 1Mbps which isn't slow when you're talking about internet connection, but is if you're transferring files between computers. When I went to their site to get the link for you they have a new product that supports 10Mbps through the phoneline, I will probably upgrade. By the way, linksys has excellent tech support.

It is a very simple configuration.
Host:
1 phoneline card
1 ethernet card

Client:
1 phoneline card

You need a phone jack on the same line in both locations(will support more than 2 also)
The phone cards plug into the phone jacks, the ethernet to the modem.
Then use internet connection sharing w/win 98 or ME. The phoneline cards also come with ICS software. To keep my computer clean I try not to install third party software if windows has a feature that works.

It's that simple.

I don't know why you need hubs and routers because I have never used them. I think they are neccessary for more than 2 PC's using ethernet.

The bottom line is I networked my computers for $50.00, I can play games, share files and a printer, and share an internet connection.

I am connected through cable, not dsl, but it is the same for both.
Some numbers:
Connection speed to internet on host 3500Kbps
Connection speed on client to internet 800Kbps
I haven't heard of a residential Dsl connection faster than 800.

It is very simple. If you decide to go this way I will be glad to help you configure it if you run into any problems.
Any more quesyions let me know.,

[This message has been edited by darrelld (edited 11-08-2000).]