PPPoE - how does it work?

Claymore

Claymore

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Could someone give me a rundown on how I can use Sentech with PPPoE?

Currently, we have two PCs. My PC has the Sentech modem on USB, and I share the Internet connection with ICS to the other PC, which is connected with a crossover network cable. All works pretty well.

I'm going to be getting a 5-port switch, so that I can hook more PCs up if I want. I would like to connect the Sentech modem to that switch - would that work? Essentially, I'd like the modem to be independent of the two PCs, so that I could reboot my PC without the other PC being affected. How do I get the modem to log on? Presumably each PC will use the modem as best they can?

If I have a VPN connection from my PC to work, and I connect it, will it affect the other PC? Currently, using the VPN disconnects the other PC, and routes all my traffic through the VPN (i.e. no more Internet connectivity). I would like to be able to use the VPN without disconnecting the other PC.

What hardware/software would I need. We have XP SP2.
 
* someone correct me if I'm wrong here *

What you would need is a router rather than a switch :-

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/index.php?cPath=100_172

I think even if it's a DSL router, it would work fine with your Sentech modem.

Wireless would be good, but it will be more expensive, as you would need wireless network cards for the PC's on your LAN.

You then hook your Sentech modem up to the router, access the router setting via your web-browser and setup a PPPoE connection to the modem.

The rest of the PC's on your LAN then would have thier own internal network range - 192.168.x.x for instance. Or you would probably set it to the same range that your router is configured to run on.

To connect the modem once setup, you just access your router via any PC on your network and click whatever connect options it gives you - usually just a simple connect link.

Alternatively, if you've already got a switch and an old spare PC with two network cards, you can run a PC based firewall like Smoothwall.
 
Get a Linksys WRT-54G, it's a wireless access point, WAN router and 4 port switch.
Plug the Sentech modem in the WAN port, setup the PPPOE in the router's config and connect the LAN PCs to the switch ports. The router will share the internet connection, you can VPN while your buddy browse the net. The router will also assign DHCP IPs if you want, which makes configuration a no brainer.

EASY :)

The Linksys goes for about R550 ex vat (dealer price)
I'm sure Sybartic sells them
 
"Potential" that's debateable..... but the fact is that D-Link is now the number 1
player in the SOHO market (even in the USA).
The reason: Best Bang for Buck proucts out there!
 
if you say so....but staying on topic...

Claymore, go get one of those....

dbnnet: Care to supply a model number for Claymore?

Sofar we have:
Linksys WRT54G: Wifi 802.11b/g, 4x 100M switch ports, WAN port, PPPOE support, DynDNS support, DNSMasq support, DHCP Support and few others I can't think off at the moment - R550 ex vat (dealer price)
Some DLink: No idea of specs, no idea of price (cheaper than the Linksys apparently)
 
You can send an email to "rhino" ... he's one of their distributors and will be able
to give you full details.
I think that a simple (non wireless) D-Link DI-604 router with it's fairly decent built-in
firewall is going to be your best bang for buck. It comes with 4 ports and sells for
about R300
 
Thanks guys. Will keep an eye out for a router then - don't mind if it's wired, since that's the way I have everything at the moment.

How much are the ethernet cables for the Sentech modems?
 
nonroker:: you mention a price on the Linksys- who's selling 'em? To date I've yet to find one of these things that it seems every geek on the planet drools over!
Claymore:: unless you have a compelling need for wireless, why take the expense- and, as you say, you're wired already. Those DI-604's are fab little boxen and just quietly get on with the job -and they ARE available from just about anywhere. As to the MyWi eth cable- R225 from your nearest BBZ shop.
 
Claymore said:
Thanks guys. Will keep an eye out for a router then - don't mind if it's wired, since that's the way I have everything at the moment.

How much are the ethernet cables for the Sentech modems?
Click to expand...

Try to pick one up second hand.

When I was with Sentech, they were like hens teeth to get hold of, not sure now.
 
Pan, that's very cheap, but there's a problem. This company is located in the UK. I mailed them to find out about shipping, here's the response....

Dear Sir,

Unfortunately we do not have warehouse facilities in South Africa. Any orders placed from South Africa are prepared at the UK warehouse and then made
+available for collection. The customer must then arrange for a courier such as FedEx or DHL to come and collect it from our UK warehouse.

Regards,
eXpansys


Obsidian systems sell the WRT54G to the public at R680 incl VAT

Comstor is the official distributor for Linksys in SA
 
sw setup

Lets say you start with 2 clean PC's (ie. no Sentech modem software loaded)... how do you configure the PCs to use PPPoE.... install Sentech with "network" option on both stations?

Or just give router WAN IP as gateway (or sumething?)


Thanks
 
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