I just don't understand routers and what I need
Discussion
I've got 3 pc's at home, two connected by a network, but the third is all alone.
My ADSL modem is connected via usb to the main pc and the 2nd pc shares the internet connection. This means I have to have the main pc switched on for the 2nd to be connected to the internet.
I've realised that I can easily alter the cables so all 3 can be connected to the internet if I get a router, but this is where my knowledge lets me down.
My modem is usb, but all the routers I've found have ethernet type connections for the ADSL in socket. Am I missing something? Do I actually use my modem, or do you just connect the router to the phone line?
Confused.
My ADSL modem is connected via usb to the main pc and the 2nd pc shares the internet connection. This means I have to have the main pc switched on for the 2nd to be connected to the internet.
I've realised that I can easily alter the cables so all 3 can be connected to the internet if I get a router, but this is where my knowledge lets me down.
My modem is usb, but all the routers I've found have ethernet type connections for the ADSL in socket. Am I missing something? Do I actually use my modem, or do you just connect the router to the phone line?
Confused.
Sounds like you need an ADSL/Ethernet NAT router. Forget the USB, connect the router to your network on the ethernet side and the ADSL on the other. Configure all your PC's to get IP addresses from the router and job done. Enter your ISP details on the ADSL router and she should connect all your machines to the net.
Ditch the USB modem and go for something like the Netgear DG834 which gives you a router, adsl modem, firewall and 4 port switch (a fancy hub) all in one box for around £60.
It takes load off the computer currently connected to the internet (because it no longer has to work the modem), no particular computer has to be on for any other to connect to the internet, and it has a basic hardware firewall to protect your whole network, so you don't need to run a software firewall if you don't want to (although I am aware that products such as ZoneAlarm provide other benefits)
>> Edited by arcturus on Wednesday 29th December 01:36
It takes load off the computer currently connected to the internet (because it no longer has to work the modem), no particular computer has to be on for any other to connect to the internet, and it has a basic hardware firewall to protect your whole network, so you don't need to run a software firewall if you don't want to (although I am aware that products such as ZoneAlarm provide other benefits)
>> Edited by arcturus on Wednesday 29th December 01:36
I had an almost identical set up to you and got the 802.11g Netgear wireless router DG834g (which came packaged with a free wireless PC card for my laptop) and two PC wireless cards. I hard wired one PC using an ethernet cable and 3 PCs wirelessly (one laptop).
The Wizard was unbelievable simple to use and within an hour or so I had the system up and running - even changing the router's IP address (with exceleent help from Netgear's free technical assistance) since its default numbering conflicted with my company's server IP address that I connect to via a VPN.
The only point to note in 2 months of use is the occasional comms hang up that is quickly resolved by briefly unplugging the router.
Don't hesitate - it doesn't come any easier than this!
The Wizard was unbelievable simple to use and within an hour or so I had the system up and running - even changing the router's IP address (with exceleent help from Netgear's free technical assistance) since its default numbering conflicted with my company's server IP address that I connect to via a VPN.
The only point to note in 2 months of use is the occasional comms hang up that is quickly resolved by briefly unplugging the router.
Don't hesitate - it doesn't come any easier than this!
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