We just had DSL installed yesterday, and I am having some issues I am struggling to resolve. There are 3 computers, 2 are laptops, and one is a desktop. The ethernet cable goes from the DSL modem to my 8 port switch, and then from the switch to the computers via cat5. None of the computers can connect unless they are directly connected to the DSL Modem. So my question is, can I have these computers all connect to the modem via a router, or do I have to make a network bridge for it or not?

BTW, I'm switching out the 8 port switch to a Buffalo AirStation WHR3-G54 802.11G wireless router I scored from one of my relatives yesterday.

Posted by SnArF We just had DSL installed yesterday, and I am having some issues I am struggling to resolve. There are 3 computers, 2 are laptops, and one is a desktop. The ethernet cable goes from the DSL modem to my 8 port switch, and then from the switch to the computers via cat5. None of the computers can connect unless they are directly connected to the DSL Modem. So my question is, can I have these computers all connect to the modem via a router, or do I have to make a network bridge for it or not? BTW, I'm switching out the 8 port switch to a Buffalo AirStation WHR3-G54 802.11G wireless router I scored from one of my relatives yesterday.

It depends on your ISP if a switch will work or not. I'm assuming with your DSL you are using PPPoE. Some ISPs allow multiple connections from the same account and some do not. I'm not sure why none of your computers work through the switch, at least one at a time should be able to connect. Does everything have a link? You might need a crossover cable between your modem and the switch.

A router should work fine. The router itself connects to your ISP then shares the connection with the other computers using NAT.

And what do you mean by a bridge? A bridge is basically a two port switch (or a computer acting like a switch). It wouldn't help share your connection any more than a normal switch would.

By switch I meant just not using the router and running everything through one computer. I seem to have the problem fixed, they sent a technician to my house, it turned out it had to do something with the signal converter, but I didn't have time to talk it over with the guy, but it looks like the problems fixed, and now my network seems to be working pretty good. You were right though, it is PPPoE, but my ISP (Bellsouth) allows more than one computer per connection. The speed is comparable with cable, i guess about 2-4 MBPs, not bad.

A router is still a good thing though. It's a good thing to have your computers behind a fairly reasonable firewall, especially if you're running Windows boxes.

I will chime in on the router bandwagon myself.

You probably bought the "free" dsl modem that comes with the service and it won't share out connections - you'll need a better DSL modem that routes as well, I'm sure your DSL provider would love to sell you one. Be sure to check with them - they probably have a "home network" option on the account that will allow multiple clients and a better modem for a few bucks a month.

Or, bag them and their nazi routing and buy your own box.

I'm a big fan of the SMC Barricade - you can pick up a good one for $25 on ebay - up to $100 if you want the latest greatest swankiest 802.11x, throw in a couple of USB or PCMCIA wireless adapters for $20-40 and you can cut the cord on the laptops to boot.

Or, if you got an old Pentium 100 and a couple spare network cards you can get a bootable floppy or CD image of a pre-built easy to use linux variety router. You can use 10bT if you only have old cards - unless your DSL connection is especially fast. Just plug it in between the modem and your switch on its two nics. It's pretty straight forward.

Posted by Chainsaw I will chime in on the router bandwagon myself. You probably bought the "free" dsl modem that comes with the service and it won't share out connections - you'll need a better DSL modem that routes as well, I'm sure your DSL provider would love to sell you one. Be sure to check with them - they probably have a "home network" option on the account that will allow multiple clients and a better modem for a few bucks a month. Or, bag them and their nazi routing and buy your own box. I'm a big fan of the SMC Barricade - you can pick up a good one for $25 on ebay - up to $100 if you want the latest greatest swankiest 802.11x, throw in a couple of USB or PCMCIA wireless adapters for $20-40 and you can cut the cord on the laptops to boot. Or, if you got an old Pentium 100 and a couple spare network cards you can get a bootable floppy or CD image of a pre-built easy to use linux variety router. You can use 10bT if you only have old cards - unless your DSL connection is especially fast. Just plug it in between the modem and your switch on its two nics. It's pretty straight forward.

I second the notion of using a CD or floppy-based linux router distribution. For a couple of years I used Coyote Linux, which fits on a floppy. I used it in an old 386 that had been upgraded to a 25Mhz 486SX and got reasonable performance out of it. If you use coyote with a Pentium 100 or higher, you should get equal or better performance than you would with a dedicated router.

EGV