Help with setting up a 4 computer network

[Dr. Raab]

I have dsl at the office and want to share the connection with 3 other computers. DSL comes into an Efficient Networks Speedstream 5667 modem which has both a USB and a RJ-45 output. All the computers have 10/100 ethernet cards. Can I connect all the computers using only a D-Link DSS-5+ 5 port 10/100 switch? Any help or links to wiring diagrams would be appreciated. dr

no you will need a router

here is a good diagram on how a router works

http://www.linksys.com/products/disp...rid=20&scid=29

you can also set up one machine with two network cards and use ICS (internet connection sharing) to share out the internet tho to the other three machines with the switch

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/sharing.htm


hope that helps.

personally i find the easiest solution is to get a router.

[Dr. Raab]

Thanks GZ3,
Good info. I guess we'll go the router route. Any suggestions on a good inexpensive one?
dr

[MrPurple]

NetGear has some cheap routers, infact all of the manf are lowering prices, since they want people to buy, and the WiFi boom is on the horizon (not sure if it will ever leave that horizon and come to use, but that is a differnt topic).

[rockpile]

I have one of these and have never had a problem with it.

http://linksys.com/

[Dr. Raab]

I was discussing my prob with a local guy who seemed knowlegable and he said just plug everything in to the D-Link DSS-5 switch and it should work. So... we ran one cat-5 line from the modem to the DSS-5 switch and a cat-5 line from each computer to the switch and it worked!!! Everybody has DSL and printer sharing. It's magic!

[Telexen]

There's a problem with that...every computer has to have an IP..and there's NO firewall...that's a bad thing.

Can't see how everyone had DSL access unless you have multiple WAN IP's. Printer sharing, sure.

If you are paying for multiple WAN IP's, then a router will be much cheaper in the long run. Only need one single WAN IP then from your ISP, and will be shared amongst the users.

And a good router will have an inbuilt hardware firewall as well, to keep nasties outa your LAN.

Cheers
Mick

[EvilCrow]

If you have a CompUSA near you, they have a 4 port router for only $29.99. I'm using it right now, and have no problems with it.
Comes with a built in NAT firewall, and support for various formats of DSL and Cable modems. (Static, PPPoE, etc.)

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...331&pfp=SEARCH

[Dr. Raab]

For McW: only have 1 IP and each computer has its own IP based on the gateway IP. They are identified as 123.123.123.1, 123.123.123.2 etc. I don't know how each is assigned... maybe by the switch or some other kind of magic. In any case, we're going with E C's suggestion to get the Comp USA router for firewall protection.

Thanks all for the help,
dr