Network on ADSL

RVFmal

RVFmal

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I recently got ADSL connected and would like to set up a small (2 computer) network so that the SO and myself can both utilise our computers at the same time.

Have a desktop and laptop. What are my best options and how do I do it?[8D]

CJ
 
get a multi port ethernet ADSL modem, if you don't have one then you can use th PC as a hub for the laptop to connect to ...

We are Telkom - Resistance is Futile - You will be Assimilated
 
Tell us what you currently have - device detail, operating system, and anything else you may think relevant. What/Who is 'SO'?
 
SO - Significant other aka The government, better half etc.
 
Thanks guys. FYI - SO is "Significant Other" *grin*

Right, recently moved into a unit that has ADSL that is connected to an existing small network. Has one plug point. I have a PC that is currently connected, but would like to access the network at the same time with my laptop. PC runs Windows '98 (gag!) and the laptop XP.

If I use the PC as the hub:

1. How will this effect the connection speed and

2. with only one port how do I connect the laptop to the PC?

Cheers

CJ
 
Need more clarity, RVF - what do you plug your PC into? Is it a router/modem into which you plug a lead from a network card in your PC? Or do you have an ADSL modem hanging off a USB port? Or is the thing in the wall just a socket, with the router/modem elsewhere in your complex (probably unlikely, but quite possible)?
 
mbs, the router/modem is in the landlord's office. We connect the PC from the network card to a jack in the wall.

CJ
 
OK, this is possibly the simplest solution, at least possible cost. Get hold of a simple switching hub - a 4/5-port will do, and should not cost you more than about R300. Plug a lead from the wall socket into the hub, as well as leads from the network ports on the PC and laptop into the hub (standard CAT-5). You'll have to make sure that you use the 'MX' port (i.e. cross-over) on the hub for the connection to the wall socket, I think. You should now have simultaneous connectivity from both your PC and the laptop via ADSL to the Internet - just make sure you configure Windows properly. You may even be able to use the same account, depending on the facility provided by your ISP. The Windows and network experts on this forum would be able to provide you with further detail if needed, including where you can source a cheap switching hub. For interest, look at www.zentek.co.za
Trust this assists, and that you and your SO will enjoy the figurative mutual surf ...
 
DON'T get a switch (or a hub), you will probably want to allow file and printer sharing between your 2 computers which will open you up to everybody in the building. Shell out some cash for a decent router with a build in firewall, this will allow you to share files and printers on your side of the router while keeping nosey intruders out. PLUS, with DHCP control of the router you don't need to configure IP addresses on your 2 computers as with a switch/hub, it's plug and play all the way...far less hassels!

I see DLINK (www.dlink.co.za) sells the 4 port DI-604 router for R567.
 
There are some nice WAN-LAN routers/firewalls - I believe they are going for less than R600 at the moment. Usually you get 1 WAN port and 4 LAN ports and nowadays they are intelligent enough to know if they are connected to another switch or a PC.

Try D-Link and Duxbury (search the forum for websites) might be a good start.

Connect the landlord to the WAN side, and your machines on the LAN side. You will have to do some setting up.

This way you can ensure that your machines stay private from the other users.

Hope this helps.



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Jip, go along with GOOBIE and KAS concerning security issues, particularly if you're using Win98 on the PC. Best you go with the router/firewall deployment...
 
I am also subletting my adsl. What I do is setting up the clients' machines with 2 network cards and internet connection sharing. I take file and print sharing of the shared nic. They can then connect thier computers behind this computer. It works ok but is not always that stable.

I would like a hardware solution that is more stable. I use a smc adsl router and it controls my authentication. Can I then still connect another router, like the D-link mentioned, behind my router and share the connection securely from the other users on the lan?
 
I've never tried this practically, but in theory it should work, provided you ensure that the routing is configured correctly and that there are no IP conflicts (ideally, you should sub-net). Network admins on this forum, please advise/comment...
 
I'm not sure I understand your setup, I'm no expert and this will probably be pointed out pretty soon, but here is what I would do: First off, yes you can "stack" routers one behind another as long as you have DHCP enabled. I'm assuming your SMC router is hooked up to your ADSL modem and has multiple LAN ports available. Give your users each a port on the SMC router, use one port for yourself and hook another router up to it to act as your firewall and keep your users away from your computer.

The ideal person to ask would be JERREK (member of this forum), if I remember correctlty he has the mother of all networks running at home.
 
Thanks for the help guys. Must admit the terminology you guys use is a little daunting for a newbie such as myself, but learn we must.[:)]

I would prefer if no-one else was able to share files with my current computers. If I understand correctly at present the LL is capable of accessing shared files oand folders on my computers at present?

What pray tell is DHCP, SMC router? Why would I have to connect the LL to the WAN and the 2 terminals to LAN?

CJ
 
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by RVFmal</i>
<br />

What pray tell is DHCP, SMC router? Why would I have to connect the LL to the WAN and the 2 terminals to LAN?

CJ
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Sorry buddy but I have no idea what you just said, try and rephrase this in English.

Is LL = leased line?
 
ROTFLOL! And here I thought I was the only confused one. hehehe. Sorry Goobie.

Ok, first off what do the acronyms DHCP and SMC router mean? LL (in my context meant "Land Lord". *grin*). Kas said that I should connect the LL to the WAN port and the 2 computers to the LAN ports on the router. What I wanted to know was why?

Hope that clears up my initial question.


CJ
 
OOOOOKay, gotcha

Like I said I'm no expert so here goes my version of it. DHCP = Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, helps to manage IP addresses on a network. You have only one IP address assigned to you (as is the case with your LL's ADSL connection) but you want to hook up 2 computers, problem is this cannot be done with only one IP address. Normally, on a network one computer = one IP address. If you have a router (SMC, DLINK, LINKSYS, etc) with a build in switch (eg 4 ports) the DHCP function of the router will assign an internal IP address to each port on the switch to help distribute the requested data from the WAN/internet to the various computers hooked up to the switch part of the router that requested the information. So essentially you can have one IP address (which will be assigned to your LL's modem) with multiple computers and DHCP will make sure everything runs smoothly - I guess there is more to it than my lame explanation, but that would be the gist of it.

So to answer your other questions: SMC is a brand name. You have to connect the LL to the WAN port as his connection hooks you up to the internet (which is essentially a wide area network), the WAN port is on the outside of the firewall, everything that enters throuh that port will be "checked" by the firewall. The LAN ports are on the "inside" of the firewall. All the LAN ports are under DHCP control.

well....that's how I understand it anyway. hope it helps.

OH, and yes, currently your landlord is browsing through your porn collection on your hard drive...[:D]
 
Oi, careful what you say on here as if the LL can browse through my porn that means that my SO can do the same.[;)][:p]

Thanks for your help Goobie. It is much appreciated and has been very useful. Will advise once I have the router installed and if I have any issues you guys will be the first to know.

Tell me, what do you know about VoIP and the relevant ahrdware that one needs to install it?

CJ
 
What's VoIP?

just kidding...I know NOTHING about it...call Telkom's helpline and ask them [:D]. Actually, go to www.skype.com they might have information there. If I have to guess it will be; microphone, earphones and somebody to call.
 
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