How do I get Broadband on 3 PCs ?

erb · 10 February 2005 at 9:50PM

I am with AOL on dial up and thinking of moving to Broadband. AOL provide a free modem. However, my 2 chidren also access the internet on their PCs using telephone points near their PCs. If I go to Broadband will I have to buy broadband modems for them to connect from their PCs or alternatively can I easily unconnect my broadband modem and connect it to there PCs

If I have to buy extra broadband modems how much do they cost?

urbanite · 10 February 2005 at 9:55PM

You will need a modem/router.
I'm assuming that AOL broadband will be an ADSL connection.
Wired or wireless is your choice of cost, WEP security and cables around the house.
wired modem/router .... from £35 (ebuyer)
wireless modem/router ..... £60ish + £12ish per wireless NIC
more info?

erb · 10 February 2005 at 10:23PM

Thanks urbanite.

So is this a modem/router for each PC i.e. 2 extra ones at £35 each = £70?

Carn't I use free modem from AOL on the other PCs? Simply disconnect from my PC and connect to theirs using USB to telephone socket?

urbanite · 10 February 2005 at 10:28PM

no, just a single modem/router
(the router routes network traffic to 4 connections)

You can unplug the modem and use it on another pc, but if you want to share the internet connection (ie: have all 3 online simultaniously) then a router is the best way.

Fran · 10 February 2005 at 10:30PM

Erb,

There is loads of info in the Techie FAQ's HERE is the link to the Networks section.

akmodi · 10 February 2005 at 10:32PM

HI erb,

The whole advantage and point of going to BB would be for all to be able to go online at the same time.

I would suggest that you get a wireless modem, router----keep it near one PC and with a ethernet cable connect the first PC. The other 2 PC's can be connected wirelessly.

Basically, the modem/router would bring in the BB and then distibute it.

Magentasue · 10 February 2005 at 11:17PM

We have two PCs in the same room and two laptops. PC1 is connected to the router (wired) and PC2 is connected to PC1. The two laptops have PCI cards and connect wirelessly. It's a brilliant arrangement.

stevo25 · 10 February 2005 at 11:40PM

ive heard that you cant do this on aol? i hope im wrong

blinky · 10 February 2005 at 11:41PM

It can be a bit fiddly getting routers working with AOL. You need to lower the MTU value on the main machine and each of the PC's. (AOL software would normally do this). Otherwise you start seeing problems when browsing.

Rex_Mundi · 10 February 2005 at 11:48PM

If the telephone points are extensions from the main phone socket. You could use this with a router for a network. Telephone cable is slower than cat5, 10Mbs compared to 100Mbs, but this is still substantially faster than your broadband will be. This will work as long as they don't have phones in their room as well.

erb · 11 February 2005 at 1:52PM

First of all thank you all for your advice:) . I didn't realise that all 3 of us could be on the internet at the same time with broadband. Does anybody know for sure that AOL allows this because with dial up only one person on the account can be on at a time?

Rex-Murdi

Yes the telephone points are extensions from the main phone socket. There are 4 extensions in all. Mine is downstairs and theirs are upstairs and they don't have telephones in their rooms. Using these extensions appears to be a good option as it uses existing extension wires and telephone sockets that I have already installed for dial up. So in this case what exactly do I need and what do I connect to what?

How do I get Broadband on 3 PCs ?

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