Question:
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?
Answers:
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...
Answers:
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?
Answers:
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.
Answers:
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.
Answers:
Fran,
Dead easy....buy a netgear DG834G from either:
(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 Hereexpert 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:
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...!
Answers:
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!)
Answers:
Have you both gone to the 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
Answers:
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 very knowledgable lot over there.
Answers:
Re: Netgear DG834G
Have you run the Setup Wizard? Run it again even if you have. Type in your browser's address bar (or ) 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.
Answers:
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
Answers:
what error message do you get when trying to connect through the router.
No error messages, it says it's working.
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.
It says media disconnected (is that cos I'm using a different connection as I can't get onto the internet throught the router?). The physical address is not the default netgear one.
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.
Already done.
I think the XP SP2 firewall may have some conflict with the netgear but given it has a good firewall built in.
I've had SP2 firewall turned off for the last couple of hours and it makes no difference, still can't connect to internet even though it says it has.
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.
I haven't a clue what "emule" means. Is it some kind of virtual animal?
Answers:
Have you both gone to the website and checked out the support pages for the model.
Yes, but couldn't find solution.
Answers:
Re: Netgear DG834G
Have you run the Setup Wizard? Run it again even if you have.
Tried running it again. Got as far as Basic Settings. When you press test to test internet connection it won't connect. Have gone over all the instructions a few times and read their help files etc.
Answers:
Go to Control Panel in your PC, select Network Connections. Right click on Local Area Connection icon and select Status. Click on the Support tab and select Details..........
What does it say for IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS Servers?
Also worth double checking that your router is correctly plugged in to your phone line. Connect the router with an RJ45 ethernet patch cable to the PC's ethernet adapter. Once you have got 'wired' Internet connectivity go back into your router and then try and sort out the wireless connection.
TOG
Answers:
Fran
I don't know if this is relevant in your setup but some ISP's will only let certain devices connect to their network - identified by the "MAC address"
<Techie bit> MAC address stands for Media Access Control address, a unique number built into modems, routers and other network hardware. It ensures that one piece of equipment is not mistaken for another one. Some ISPs validate your connection by checking the MAC address of the Ethernet adapter in the computer / device that was registered during ISP installation
</Techie Bit>
To see an example of a MAC address start a command prompt and type 'ipconfig /all' You should see a line similar to this:
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0E-A6-18-DA-01
This is the MAC address unique to your network card, routers/switches etc all have one.
You may need to register your new routers MAC address with your ISP before they will accept it on their network, or 'clone' a MAC address onto your new hardware. See the following for more details (found in the knowledge base for your new router) or check with your ISP:
From your last post:
"Tried running it again. Got as far as Basic Settings. When you press test to test internet connection it won't connect. Have gone over all the instructions a few times and read their help files etc. "
it sounds like your PC can get to the router/modem OK, (otherwise how would you see this setup page) - your router is just struggling to get on the Internet.
From glancing through the KB for your router there should be a status page somewhere that will tell you if it has been given an IP address by the ISP (needed) - It is point 10 on the following page:
Answers:
The status choice is blanked out so I can't look.
Answers:
Regarding the Crossover cable usage query...
I do believe the DG834G is intelligent and does not care whether the cable used is straight or crossover as the switch element will detect on negotiation whether to cross itself over and adapt itself either way.
Could be wrong, but I vaguely recall it to be true on some of the more recent netgear products...hence the lack of an uplink springy push in/out button specific to one of the (uplink-able) ports seen on earlier netgear products....
[glow=purple,2,400]Lopo... ![/glow][glow=red,2,400]Lopo... ![/glow][glow=orange,2,400]Lopo... ![/glow]
Answers:
Doh!
I don't have the same router so I was just going off the knowledge base.
As you can access the internet in another way is it possible to check with your ISP's online help if they need MAC address registration? I use Telewest Blueyonder and they used to (only changed recently) so it's worth checking.
Your PC can obviously talk to the modem as you can see the Status Tab, if not view the page itself so you have connectivity between your PC and it. It really does sound like your new router cannot get access to the web (and that's where the router itself is telling you it's falling down)
If you tell me your ISP I will go search their help myself :-)
Answers:
Fran,
The status choice is blanked out so I can't look.
Looks like you may have inadvertently disabled your PC's network connection. !That's why when you ran ipconfig earlier you got 'media not connected.' What does the context menu show above the blanked out Status?
I suspect the reason you can connect to the Internet with your old equipment is because it's a USB modem and not an ethernet router.
I suggest you try connecting you new router to the PC with a patch cable (RJ45 to RJ45) and then re-run the Network Set Up Wizard.
TOG