Seeking FReeper Tech Advice (Vanity)

5//5/02 | Mr_Magoo

[Mr_Magoo]

I am starting the process of converting my Internet connection from dial up to cable modem. At the same time I am going to Network 2 computers to the connection.

I can get a $10/month discount by using my own cable modem. So I want to go that route. Also I want it to have a good firewall. What brand and model cable modem will work best? Also, is there any other equipment I should get?

I have 3 weeks to purchase everything and set up the network.

I already have 10/100 NIC cards for both computers, and enough Cat5 cable to wire a city block.

[Kaslin]

My Dell came with Windows XP and I use ZoneAlarm Pro3.0 and it works great on my machine

[tacticalogic]

Install the NETBEUI protocol on the computers, and use it for networking the two systems. Limit TCP/IP to just the internet connections, and do not bind it to the MS Networking components. NETBEUI is a non-routable protocol, which means the networking components will not be accessible through the cable modem as long as this is the only protocol they use.

[IronJack]

The Linksys router on the left is the one I have. It works fine, was easy to configure, and doesn't require a whole lot of upkeep.

Nevertheless, I hesitate to endorse any particular brand because it's often been my experience that what works for one person doesn't necessarily apply to another.

So take it for what it's worth.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

I have had the Linksys BEFSR41 DSL/Cable Router since it first came out, and it's great. Their service is okay, too, if you should have questions. But I've found SMC's service to be even better: native English speakers in Southern California versus the call-centers in India used by Linksys and Netgear. You'll have more of a wait on hold with SMC (10-20 minutes) but the whole process goes smoother thanks to superior technical and communications skills on the other end.

I've installed Linksys, SMC, Netgear and Belkin Cable/DSL routers for friends. They're all good. A pal just got a Belkin which, after rebate, was $35!

As someone already pointed out, the beauty part is that the router is the only device "seen" by your cable or DSL provider. Don't expect your broadband provider to offer any support for getting things working. Fortunately, it's easy. My personal setup is currently:

--DSL modem from the DSL people (it was free);

--Linksys BEFSR41 with 4 ports (I paid $179 when it first came out);

--GigaFast 500-S switch/router with 5 more ports to accommodate my ridiculously over-wired household ($27);

--NetGear ME102 802.11b Wireless Access point ($119 after rebate), selected for superior ratings for range. Alas, the NetGear's current firmware does not allow an encrypted-only wireless connection. This appears to be a fault shared with several other 802.11b WAPs that use the Intersil chipset, which currently dominates this market segment.

One thing I do recommend is that--whatever brand you buy--you don't use the setup CD. These things are configurable via your web browser. Just forward through the manual until you see instructions for typing "http://192.168.1.1" or something similar in your browser. Those setup packages cause more troubles than they solve, IMHO. If you can't figure out how to configure things with a browser, you can always return to the CD, but I've never had to.

[Mr_Magoo]

Blast reply.

Thanks for the info. My current setup is 2 computers using dialup for Internet access. The cost for the 2nd phone line plus the ISP fees is $43 a month. If I network the 2 computers and use cable access, the cost is $41 a month. $31 a month if I provide my own cable modem. The reduced overall cost is a big factor in this decision.

There are other reasons to network the 2 computers. One of them has a scanner, the other has the laser printer. Currently if I want to transfer an image or other files between the two, I have to e-mail it to myself. (that sucks)

The install date is in 3 weeks. So, I've got 3 weeks to purchase whatever, install and wire it all, and debug it. From looking at the Linksys web site, it looks like a BEFCMU10 cable modem feeding into a BEFSR41 Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch would do the trick. I think I can even put the laser printer on the network so both computers can use it by using the PPSX1 10/100 PrintServer.

As I see it, the thing to be careful of is FIREWALL. Need to be sure the network side is safe from hackers.

Again, thanks for the replies. I hate to post and run like I did, but I had to get a start on this.

[Hoosier Patriot]

Well, here's my two cents. I prefer a rear tine to a front tine, lots easier to handle. At least 6.5 horsepower, 19 inch tine width if you can get 'em, although you won't notice much difference if you get the 17 inchers. Now, wheel size is important, try to get 16 inchers. Oh, and you'll definately want one with a reverse gear. Counter rotating tines are nice too........ Hey, wait a minute..... I think I got confused about what exactly your question was.

Cable modem? Router? Sorry, don't have a clue. {;-)

[tomkat]

read up a little on NAT to allay your security concerns.
HERE is as good a place as any to start.

unless you anticipate huge print queues, you'll prolly be
able to save some bucks by foregoing the print server.
i've never needed one w/ +/- 6 boxes in a home LAN.

[anka]

have to agree with magoo here. linksys router will get the job done. no need for a firewall (as it's built in to the hardware with a web admin interface). if you do want to keep track of ingoing/outgoing connections you can always get yourself a copy of 'tiny' personal firewall (free) let us know what you decide on!

[tomkat]

uhmmm, think you might have me and magoo mixed up ...

[avg_freeper]

I'm thinking of getting linksys wireless router for my home ADSL setup.

But a few weeks ago BellSouth (my provider) sent me a letter saying that they were going to start offering routers to their customers that needed more than one hookup. The letter was worded as if you have to pay extra if you rout the connection to more than one computer. Even if you buy and install your own equipment to two 'puters.

Can they do this?
1. Practically, meaning, can they tell if I install my own router.
2. Legally, I don't remember seeing any thing like this in my original agreement. (other than terms subject to change at any time, blah, blah, blah)

[tomkat]

pretty good deal for them:

'give' you a $30 piece of hardware,
then whack ya for another $20/pc/mo or so in service fees.

my $0.02 ?
get your own stuff and laugh all the way to the bank ...

[Mr_Magoo]

Thanks for the info on NAT. Will read it tonight.

[Mr_Magoo]

LOL!

Actually it was a front tine 18" 8hp. The tiller was not so bad, the 4' rake afterwords was killer! One more task off the to-do list. . .

[Drumbo]

"...terms subject to change at any time..."

...usually means Yes, they can, whenever they decide to.

They can also tell how many computers you have depending on what you do with them. My wife and I play games on battle.net and in order to play together (and "see" each other when we do) we needed to get seperate ip addresses for our computers.

We have cable access, Zone Alarm (replaced BlackIce) and a Lynksys hub between our Best Data cable modem and our Dells. Even with ZoneAlarm disabled, sites like Shields Up! can't probe our ports so we have pretty good security somewhere in that chain of hardware.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

You're more than welcome! FR has lots of knowledgeable folks, as you've seen, and we're happy to help.

You don't need a separate print server. First, some Cable/DSL routers--like SMC's--have a printer server built-in. Alternatively, Windows will let your PC with the laser printer attached share the printer on your LAN. You'll need NetBEUI and file/printer sharing turned on in your network setup. Then--maybe a reboot or two later--just tell the machine to which the printer is hard-wired to share its printer. On the other machine, add a networked printer, and browse to find it. Done. The only circumstances this won't work is if you have a lame printer (like my otherwise-excellent Epson 2500) that won't let you share it reliably, or if you have XP on the second machine and there's no an XP-compatible driver available for the shared printer (also a problem with my Epson). The only drawback to this approach is that the computer with the printer attached must be turned-on in order for your client machine to print.

[xrp]

That's odd. I run an FTP server on FreeBSD, a Jedi Knight 2 server on FreeBSD with Linux compatibility package, an SSH daemon on FreeBSD and VPN and never have had any problems. Are you running the latest firmware from Linksys?

[Balding_Eagle]

Sounds like the setup you describe will work great. Wait until you get cable modem, you'll never want to go back.

An FYI, I've learned that under certain circumstances the modem needs to be 'rebooted'......I just unplug, wait a second or two and plug it back in.

Also you didn't mention your operating system. 2000, and XP are setup for easy networking, computers, sharing printers and scanners is a breeze.

Good luck!

[SamAdams76]

Yet another plug for the Linksys BEFSR41 DSL/Cable Router. I installed this in January (at the advice of Freepers) and have had zero problems so far and I share the cable connection with three computers with no apparent loss in speed. The only tricky part of the installation is "cloning" the MAC address to the Linksys (to avoid the cable company charging extra money for having more than one computer online). Basically you take the MAC address the cable company gave your computer and clone it to the Linksys so that the cable company thinks the Linksys is your computer. You can probably avoid this however by getting the router first and having the cable guy set the connection up on the router instead of on the computer.

You will be amazed at the speed of cable.

[Mr_Magoo]

As for OS, one computer is win 98. The other is a duel boot win 98/Linux.

[damnlimey]

Have to agree with all the linksys router folks,the only way to go,
NAT is built in but I also use Sygate's personal firewall
It's free,I used Zone Alarm for a couple of years but the newest version seems a little buggy.
The Sygate product has given me no lockups or conflicts so far.
Enjoy your broadband,I've had road Runner for about 2 years,I'll never do dial up again.