Have equipment, Need LAN set up advice

[ftcmike]

Hello networking gurus! I have 3 PC's that I am trying to get internet access to. I have an RCA cable modem with a USB port and RJ-45. The other item I bought is a linksys 8 port switch. I have the notebook on the internet and want my computers rockin too.

2 PC towers and one notebook.

PC# 1 has 10bt and 1 10/100 nic
PC# 2 has installed 10/100 nic
PC# 3 has 10/100 pcmcia card.

I would like advice on how I can hook these three computers to my switch and cable modem. I have been told that I need a router to accomplish this. Do I? Are there any topologies, advice or recommedations out there that will support my current equipment? Any help would be kindly appreciated.

[Syclone_A+]

to share an internet connection you are going to need to have a dhcp setup. Since you are only getting one ip address from your isp you will have to share that ip address between your 3 computers in order for all of them to connect to the internet. This is where the dhcp server comes in. It can take the form of a router or a server pc that is setup to act as a dhcp. I personally like routers but thats just my opinion, good luck! Oh and just to add you can share your internet through your switch but i have only ever been able to connect one pc at a time that way.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Get a router. Take your single broadband IP...splits it up to a private LAN using it's NAT. Will work on the ethernet part of your modem...not USB. Just about all routers how have a built in DHCP service for your LAN to hand out the private IP addresses. The NAT of the router provides you with a basic firewall. Most have a built in 4 port switch, or 8 port...according to the models. There are also some single port versions you can uplink to an existing hub/switch...in your case.

[otakuoverlord]

yeah- straight story there, StoneCat- but let's try and make his current setup work before we send him off to the store

In case you don't know this already-

Just plug your computers (and DSL modem, if applicable) into your switch, and install the following protocols for your adapter in the 'network' control panel (if using Windows 9x/ME)

NETBEUI
TCP/IP
NDISWAN
IPX/SPX

and the client 'Client for microsoft networks'
as well as 'FIle and printer sharing for microsoft networks'

sometimes your network card will automatically install these files.

as long as that modem is running, all your computers should see the internet.

Not sure if you need this info, hope it helps in some way

-Otaku

[otakuoverlord]

Oh- you need this on ALL computers accessing the network. This should take care of the basics..........

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by otakuoverlord
NETBEUI
TCP/IP
NDISWAN
IPX/SPX

and the client 'Client for microsoft networks'
as well as 'FIle and printer sharing for microsoft networks'

sometimes your network card will automatically install these files.

as long as that modem is running, all your computers should see the internet.

Not sure if you need this info, hope it helps in some way

-Otaku

NDISWAN and IPX? Why?

We're assuming pointing him to a router, he can read the direx.

[ftcmike]

I am going to try the DHCP tonight. It sounds like it will work. So far I am connecting via TCP/IP. I am a little confused on how to change my IP config through winipcfg. My notebook has the DNS, IP Ad, Subnet mask, Default gateway. I can't figure out how to get those same settings on my tower. I am going to give it another go. Windows gets me angry sometimes. Can I find a "in case of emergency break glass for sledge hammer"?

Just a thought. Thanks for the replies guys!!!

[cyberskye]

I am not trying to be a bastard, but otakuoverlord you should be careful in giving advice on things you don't exactly understand.


Oh- you need this on ALL computers accessing the network. This should take care of the basics..........

How will he se the internet unless each has an ip address from the isp? You need a router - be it hardware (Netgear or Linksys)or software (proxy) that performs NAT or you won't be able to share a single ip address. I vote for a router as it will improve performance in most cases.

As for all those protocols, youy only need TCP/IP to get on the Net. Netbeui is great for file and print sharing because it CANNOT access nor be accessed by the NET (its non-routable). The other protocols are rarely used. The more protocols you have, the slower your throughput - they take resources!

file and print sharing has nothing to do with the internet. If you want to use F/P sharing, then make sure it is ONLY bound to Netbeui!

Client for MS networks must be unbound from every protocol for security reasons.

Again, I hope I don't sound evil (I hate flaming). Take YOSC advice and get yourself a nice router and some patch cables (Cat5) to connect the router to your PC's NICs. The setup of either router is very easy and well documented. Most people find the Netgear to be more reliable and you can find it for about $100 US


Post your OS and we can help you change your IP address - Winipconfig is not the best way to do this ;)

Have fun,

Skye

[otakuoverlord]

Dear skye- thank you for the criticism!

Look, that setup works for me, never had a single problem with my setup on any network I've ever been on.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by otakuoverlord
Dear skye- thank you for the criticism!

Look, that setup works for me, never had a single problem with my setup on any network I've ever been on.

Most ISP's will only give one single IP out per host name, if you choose to cheat your ISP and you've been lucky so far...so be it, I'm not one who swears by following the rules. But to hand out advice on a forum which leads to cheating your ISP....we don't do that here. He asked on how to setup his LAN to gain internet access from a single WAN IP....most of us here gave him a correct answer. If he wishes to purchase an IP account for each of his computers and get 4 unique host names for that...then yes your setup will work. Or one can get a router and have it paid for within two months with the savings on a single IP account, and gain LAN security.

[ftcmike]

Currently my notebook (ME) is connected to the internet. PCMCIA 10/100 to Cat5 to 8-port Linksys switch Uplinked to the cable modem. I thought that I would be able to install a nic into my PC and Cat5 to the switch so that both of my PC's are "connected" to the cable modem. I can understand that all I get from the ISP is a single IP address. I thought I could have one computer as the "server" and another computer attached to the network. Does that sound right?

Can you guys believe that I sell Cisco Routers?

Thanks for all of your replies so far. I think this site is great!

[AMPLIFRIER]

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
Get a router. Take your single broadband IP...splits it up to a private LAN using it's NAT. Will work on the ethernet part of your modem...not USB. Just about all routers how have a built in DHCP service for your LAN to hand out the private IP addresses. The NAT of the router provides you with a basic firewall. Most have a built in 4 port switch, or 8 port...according to the models. There are also some single port versions you can uplink to an existing hub/switch...in your case.

thats the way to go!:nod:

is how i have my network set up

not trying to fire up a netgear lynksys debate here....but....i have the netgear rt314 router.....love it....rocksolid stable

AMP

[ftcmike]

Thanks to all of you. I will get a router and let you all know how that goes. It sounds like a router is the way to go. I will keep you all informed as this comes along. 1 more item:

Could I use a Cisco router for this? What I mean is this:

Cable modem - to - Cat5 to Router - Switch - Computers? I am sure taht the IOS will handle a DHCP type server.

Let me know!

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by ftcmike
Thanks to all of you. I will get a router and let you all know how that goes. It sounds like a router is the way to go. I will keep you all informed as this comes along. 1 more item:

Could I use a Cisco router for this? What I mean is this:

Cable modem - to - Cat5 to Router - Switch - Computers? I am sure taht the IOS will handle a DHCP type server.

Let me know!

Yes, if you have access to a Cisco model that will support cable internet (meaning spoof a Host Name).

A lot of us here have loved NetGear routers....and several more advanced users who are pickier about the quality and performance of their hardware went with products from Nexland....I even ordered one to replace my aging 300 dollar Netopia which is like a Cisco. Check out Nexlands website, www.nexland.com

[Syclone_A+]

if your definitely going with a router which to me is the smarter choice, if you want something easy to setup and cheap get a linksys, if you want a gaming router thats fast and reliable get a netgear, and if you want performace overall still fairly cheap compared to netopia and cisco get a nexland.

[ftcmike]

Thanks again. It has been awhile. I got a linksys router with 4 port swith and an uplink. I am going to set the router up as a DHCP to start. I worked on it last night with no luck. If I can not get I will definately be back for advice.

This forum kicks a**!

[beebee]

Well, I have no idea how you people are charged for internet access. What is cheating all about? No matter if you're on cable / xDsl / Modem, you only get ONE connection to the ISP. the speed you get connected is always the same. If you have only a comp, you get 100% of what you are paying for (56k, 512k or 1.5M, hopefully). If you have several comps connected to a switch then hookup to internet, the comps you have SHARE the connection!!
Or the ISP over there charges people IP only?

For ftcmike's Q, the idea you have is correct. You either use hardware or software to do the NAT thing to get your comps hookup the net. win 2000 server is already good enough, and so is NT. (if you are on Unix base, you probably won't come here to look for answer)

A cisco router is of course enough to do the thing, But what wil you get? 1600? 2600? or you will go for something like 600 or 700 series? comm'on, they are just too much, right?

just a thought
I'm still on CCNA and going for CCNP

[BaLa]

Originally posted by ftcmike
Thanks again. It has been awhile. I got a linksys router with 4 port swith and an uplink. I am going to set the router up as a DHCP to start. I worked on it last night with no luck. If I can not get I will definately be back for advice.

This forum kicks a**!
it should work out ok..
I got the same router...

no problems yet

[genoiv]

I have two computers and I'm running a Motorola Cable modem, SB4100 w/ a D-link router. This works great, very little configuration and it has a built in firewall. My best advise to you is to get yourself a router rather than a hub. I work for Road Runner and believe me, you don't want to pay extra for more IPs, especially if you have more than 2 computers! Get yourself a router, run some CAT5 and bam! you're connected with just one IP. It runs very smoothly. Enjoy!

[bug]

hello cyberskye!

Client for MS networks must be unbound from every protocol for security reasons.

That is an interesting tip. Got any more info [or links] to what the
security risks this protocol may present? Why is it even installed?

cheers
bug