Networking IOL Broadband

lakefield

Hi,
I want to network my IOL broadband connection between three computers in my home. If I ask IOL/Esat for help about configuring the router etc will they try to extract more money from me? I would be grateful if anyone knows the answer to this before I get lost in their voicemail labyrinth.
Lakefield (in hiding)

Moriarty

I've moved this over to the Nets/Comms forum, you'll probably get a better response here.

Optikus

Just get a switch and use windows internet connection sharing. Or you might be able to do it with the modem if it is the one with USB and ethernet.

Ripwave

Optikus wrote:

Just get a switch and use windows internet connection sharing. Or you might be able to do it with the modem if it is the one with USB and ethernet.

Don't, whatever you do, waste time with "windows internet connection sharing". A bare switch will cost you €25. For €40, you can get an intelligent router that will allow you to share your broadband connection at any time without having to have the "main PC" turned on all the time.

Are all the machines in the same room, or close by, such that running wires won't be a problem? Or are they spread all over the house, in which case wireless might be worthwhile (it will cost a lot more).

OfflerCrocGod

Afto agree with Ripwave don't go near ICS ( Internet Connection Sharing ) it's total toss Do you have a router? What hardware do you have, you're not very clear about that in your post

Optikus

Ripwave wrote:

Don't, whatever you do, waste time with "windows internet connection sharing". A bare switch will cost you €25. For €40, you can get an intelligent router that will allow you to share your broadband connection at any time without having to have the "main PC" turned on all the time.

Are all the machines in the same room, or close by, such that running wires won't be a problem? Or are they spread all over the house, in which case wireless might be worthwhile (it will cost a lot more).

I haven't experienced any problems with ICS, well not yet anyway. Out of interest why are you guys so against it?

Ripwave

Optikus wrote:

I haven't experienced any problems with ICS, well not yet anyway. Out of interest why are you guys so against it?

For a start because it's inefficient, and for anyone who would ask the question that started the thread, it's needlessly complicated.

And then there's the fact that you have to have the ICS computer turned on if you want to access the net from any of the other computers. If you were saving €150 by using ICS it'd be one thing, but €15? Definitely not worth the effort.

(There's also the issue of wireless - if you need to go the wireless route, then it will probably actually work out cheaper to go with dedicated hardware than to use ICS, because you probably won't need to get a wireless adapter for all your computers - at least one of them can be wired, whereas if you use ICS, you have to pay for wireless adapters for every machine).

Winters

It would be a lot easier to get yourself a simple router or wireless rotuer [if your feeling the need to go wifi] and plug the IOL modem into it. The router will be simple enough to setup and also give you more controls and security. Most routers have basic hardware firewall and also the ability to block sites etc. Increased security over anything.

You can also attach another router to that router to extend your network even more if you needed to.

LoLth

Might I suggest the BEFSX42 linksys DSL router/firewall with 4 lan ports. Comes in at around €90.

More expensive: Zyxel 662 combo router / firewall with VPN. rolls in at about €440.

Definitely router is the way to go. Much , much easier in the long run.