BroadBand Questions

gobby

Hey everyone,

I have recently been informed by the family that they are thinking of getting broadband into the house when I return home (in Germany at the mo). So I went and had a little look around the net for various items only to realise that there is a lot about broadband that I dont know! So I'm going to ask some questions here!

Well, I was looking at routers as there is more than one computer in the house (family pc and mine ). I noticed that many have a built in firewall.

1. Are these firewalls up to scratch?

2. Are they difficult to configure? Max 3 pc's, although when my mates come over maybe 2/3 more. This question applies to both router and firewall.

I also had a little look at the wireless route which would be prefered by me. Mostly so I dont have to run cables all over the house!

3. What are the security risks? I dont want some feller sitting accross the road with a laptop using my connection!

4. Is there much of a performance hit compared with a normal router?

And last but not least.

5. What are the prices like these days? I haven't been keeping up to date but I have heard of someone (complete non-techie) saying that they get it for €15/month from eircom. Bullsh*t??

Thanks everyone,
Gobby.

(PS. This has already been posted in the broadband forum but as there is not such a great response there and as I have just noticed this forum! )

Diddy Kong

eircom charges = €39.99 a month (free install i think)
utv charges = €29.99 a month (€99 one off install fee) but you have to change to utv phone
iol charges = free 3 month trial with free stuff

what about setting up internet connection sharing on one of the pcs??you would only need a software firewall then, might save you a few euro???

gobby

Originally posted by dbfarrell
what about setting up internet connection sharing on one of the pcs??you would only need a software firewall then, might save you a few euro???

Cheers for the reply. If i set up the pc's like that then I cant have my pc where I want it (in my room). I would have to have the two pc's that are sharing the connection close enough to each other. Can't be having that!

Thanks for the price quotes. I guess my mate has been talking a load of bullplop then! Thought as much... :rolleyes:

Diddy Kong

you could still set up a small wireless network and use the internet connection sharing...for download/upload caps check out web,

gobby

I was thinking of maybe getting a wireless & port router. They quite often have firewalls built into them. I think that I would trust a hardware firewall over a software one tbh. Also, that means that I could install the router near the downstairs PC, then just buy a wireless dongle for my PC and put it wherever!

[edit] Although, a wireless network would be great for lans. It often gets very cramped in my downstairs room!

[edit no. 2] That got me thinking. Is it possible to use 2 wireless dongles to connect 2 normal hubs/switches??