Networking 3 computers ?

Fran

I have tried to understand what I need to do this, but I'm still not sure...

How do you get 3 computers to share a broadband connection? I have an adsl modem at the moment.

Under device manager one computer has "Realtek RTL8139/810X Family Fast Ethernet NIC" and the 2nd has "Broadcom 440x 10/100 integrated controller". The 2nd one also says PCI Modem with a question mark by it. Third computer not available yet. Does this mean I don't have to buy a card of any sort?

Am I right in thinking I need a hub switch? What should I be looking for?

Also cables? - Crossover patch cables? How many?

Is there something that I could then be missing to make this connection?

NellyLock

if your modem has an ethernet socket (not just usb) then you can buy a switch, providing all pc's have a nic card in it then you plug the modem into the switch and then plug the switch into the pcs.

if your modem is only usb then one machine will have to stay on for all others to get the internet. if this is the case you will still need a switch however the modem plugs into the pc, then the pc connects to the switch via an ethernet cable and then the switch to the other computers. the process is relatively simple once you know the modem type...

Fran

NellyLock,

Thanks for your help.

The modem has only USB on it, it's an Alcatel Speedtouch 330. What switch should I be getting (ie. what do I look for?). Will I need 3 cross-over cables then or something different?

Joe_Bloggs

Can you get an ASDL modem that contains a four port 10/100 switch, a firewall and wireless capability ? Would it work reliably ?
J_B.

NellyLock

yes you can get a modem with four ports and wireless and a basic firewall my colleague has a netgear one. i own a four port none wireless it is a cheap one from ebuyer...but i think its excellent.(Ebuyer 4 Port ADSL Modem Router)

as for the switch you want a 10/100 again i have bought one from ebuyer (Dynamode 8 Port 10/100 Hub Switch N-way - Desktop) and it worked excellent...but i am a student so money is always an issue so i have cheaped everything.

with most swtches you can either use straight through or crossover cable. i always advise crossover though.

if you dont want to leave your pc on all the time to act as a 'server' then i advise something similar to the modem i list above.

Lopo

Fran,

Dead easy....buy a netgear DG834G from either:

https://www.insight.com
https://www.ebuyer.com
(both have similar prices)

...and be sure to pick up the freebie WG511 PCI based Network Card. If you dont intend to use this wireless card...simply ebay or sell it privately to recover the costs....true moneysavingexpert style of course!

You may also sell your existing ADSL modem or keep it as a fallback spare.

The DG834G will now be a replacement ADSL modem, also introduce wireless networking connectivity (upto 54Mbps), be a router for directing traffic to all the connected or wireless machines you intend to have - acts as a 4 port switch (allowing 200MBps duplexed!!) for physical wired connections pc/console/printer or whatever else that uses and RJ45 ethernet connector, provides you with a hardware firewall for extra security and so much more that the best resource to read is:

https://www.netgear.co.uk

Its always sensible to have at least 1 machine physically connected to the router if in case the wireless fails for some reason, you have a quick access method to see whats wrong and resolve it. Or just keep a good length cable around and handy

Using this method you have the best of all worlds. No pc needs to be permanently on for the internet to work as the router now handles this securely. You can properly have hassle free shared networked resources...eg printers, scanners, media controllers...etc... (hp psc2510 - is nice!). You have wireless which is handy, machines dont need to be limited by wires etc..! Using a wireless pda or laptop in the garden - nice!!

This router will be able to use either straight or crossover cables as it is capable of auto-uplinking devices....it does not care! Comes with a 3 year swap out warranty....excellent service which I had the fortune of using once (yes - i said fortune!! it worked in my favour!!)

I could go on forever...

Trust me...its the best ease of use kit out there and you will pick up a lot as a novice merely by reading the help files which are really very good. Its that easy!

Lopo...!

Fran

Thanks for all the info. I've now got the DG834G wireless router.

All lights are on, task bar says it's connected, but, after a few hours trying to get an internet connection I can't even though everything appears to be go-go-go!! I can only connect by using the old modem and router says it's connected too, any suggestions why I can't get an internet connection with it? (On the first computer, let alone the second!)

Lopo

Have you both gone to the https://www.netgear.com website and checked out the support pages for the model.

You may wish to upgrade the routers firmware by downloading the latest from the site and following the instructions...

Good Luck...!

Lopo

blinky

what error message do you get when trying to connect through the router.

If on XP / Win2k

Open a command prompt (start->run->cmd <enter>)
in the command prompt enter ipconfig /all

It will display a load of technical information

Your network card should have an ip address (default for netgear is 192.168.0.x range)
a suitable subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Default gateway - 192.168.0.1 is the default for the Netgear router.
DNS servers (these convert the site names back into their numbers). These will differ from provider to provider.

In internet explorer -> tools, internet options, connections change the setting to either 'never dial a connection' or 'dial whenever a network connection is not present'. other wise it will look for the dial up.

I think the XP SP2 firewall may have some conflict with the netgear but given it has a good firewall built in.

Got the same router and the only problem I have is that sometimes it thinks emule traffic is trying to do a DDOS attack and blocks the internet to protect me.


Try the forums at https://www.adslguide.org.uk very knowledgable lot over there.

Chippy_Minton

Re: Netgear DG834G

Have you run the Setup Wizard? Run it again even if you have. Type http://192.168.0.1 in your browser's address bar (or Click Here) and enter the password and username (see installation guide for the defaults if you haven't changed them). You should see the Setup Wizard screen, if not click the link on the upper left, and folllow the steps to input the Internet configuration from your ISP.

maninblack_3

with most swtches you can either use straight through or crossover cable. i always advise crossover though.

Why would you advise a cross over cable ?
Cross overs are only needed if uplinking hubs, directly connecting to another netowrk card or plugging into a hardware device like a cisco pix. For any other application straight throughs are fone

maninblack