How to connect one DSL line to two or three computers?

My Mom has a DSL line from AOL. She wants to connect it to a second
computer in the living room (the first one is, of all places, in the
kitchen), and also wants to be able to connect it sometimes to her
laptop.

Someone I spoke with says that something called a "router" is the
required tool. Can anyone tell me what this entails -- is it just,
connect the DSL Modem to the Router, and then run three cables from
the router to the three computers? Will there be any hairy software
configuration? And will it be possible to use the DSL account on all
three computers at the same time, or just one computer at at time?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Steve O.

Standard Antiflame Disclaimer: Please don't flame me. I may actually *be* an idiot, but even idiots have feelings.

Steven O. wrote:
> My Mom has a DSL line from AOL. She wants to connect it to a second
> computer in the living room (the first one is, of all places, in the
> kitchen), and also wants to be able to connect it sometimes to her
> laptop.
>
> Someone I spoke with says that something called a "router" is the
> required tool. Can anyone tell me what this entails -- is it just,
> connect the DSL Modem to the Router, and then run three cables from
> the router to the three computers? Will there be any hairy software
> configuration? And will it be possible to use the DSL account on all
> three computers at the same time, or just one computer at at time?
>
> Thanks in advance for all replies.
>
> Steve O.
>
> Standard Antiflame Disclaimer: Please don't flame me. I may actually *be* an idiot, but even idiots have feelings.

Perhaps you should go to the web site of one of the big router makers
(e.g. www.linksys.com www.netgear.com etc.) and download the manual
for one of their routers. That will give step-by-step instructions
and from those you can decide whether it's something you want to
undertake.

--
After being targeted with gigabytes of trash by the "SWEN" worm, I have
concluded we must conceal our e-mail address. Our true address is the
mirror image of what you see before the "@" symbol. It's a shame such
steps are necessary. ...Charlie

On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 17:51:11 GMT, Steven O.
<Steven@OpZZREMOVE_ALL_Zs_AND_ALL_BETWEEN_ZZComm.c om> wrote:

>My Mom has a DSL line from AOL. She wants to connect it to a second
>computer in the living room (the first one is, of all places, in the
>kitchen), and also wants to be able to connect it sometimes to her
>laptop.
>
>Someone I spoke with says that something called a "router" is the
>required tool. Can anyone tell me what this entails -- is it just,
>connect the DSL Modem to the Router, and then run three cables from
>the router to the three computers? Will there be any hairy software
>configuration? And will it be possible to use the DSL account on all
>three computers at the same time, or just one computer at at time?

A router is a rather simple network appliance that recognizes when some
machine has asked to "talk" to another system that isn't on the local network.
The router knows to steer that request out to the WAN (the DSL connection, in
your mom's case).

The router will always have a single WAN port (this connects to your DSL
modem). When a router has more than one connection for systems on the local
network (the LAN) it can be termed a multi-port router, or router/switch, or
even router/hub.

You can use pretty much any multiport router, but if you want to avoid having
to add wiring between the router and the computers, you can buy a wireless
router (also known as a router with built-in wireless access point) and a
couple of wireless network cards to plug into the pcs. Or you can go wired to
one machine and wireless to the other. Whatever suits your fancy.

To get your feet wet, start here:

www.practicallynetworked.com

cheers

/daytripper

Steve O
>How to connect one DSL line to two or three computers?

And will it be possible to use the DSL account on all three computers at the
same time, or just one computer at at time?

We do exactly as you want to do. We just had to reload 2 computers and the OS ,
98 & ME, picked up on the router without any intervention. And AOL just took
the router in stride as we went online. We have a LinkSys router. The little 4
channel blue colored one.
Bob AZ

Greetings...

On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 17:51:11 GMT, Steven O.
<Steven@OpZZREMOVE_ALL_Zs_AND_ALL_BETWEEN_ZZComm.c om> wrote:

>Someone I spoke with says that something called a "router" is the
>required tool. Can anyone tell me what this entails -- is it just,
>connect the DSL Modem to the Router, and then run three cables from
>the router to the three computers? Will there be any hairy software
>configuration? And will it be possible to use the DSL account on all
>three computers at the same time, or just one computer at at time?

A router is a good way to go if you can afford it... And yes, that's pretty much it - a
few configuration settings in windows and you're off. All machines can connect at will..
Remember that they are all sharing the same bandwidth.

Another way, somewhat less expensive than a router, is a simple switch - to One computer
which is running Internet connection sharing, but that is a little more complicated, as it
requires that the machine hooked up to the DSL run 2 nics... It's only a little cheaper.
But many people often already have the hardware laying around...

Your best bet would probably be the router - router kits these day are pretty cheap at
the larger consumer electronic stores. Usually under $150 usd for 2 machines, another nic
and cable can usually be had for less than $20 usd...

Wireless is usually MUCH slower than wired - also the various usb, firewire etc... They
are all slower than standard cat 5... And usually much more expensive..

Hit a couple of manufacturer sites - you can usually download the pdf installation guides
that have complete instructions and tutorials...


ll
Kanda'

<>SPAM-KILLER<>- If you really want to contact me, then -
kandaje<at>bresnan<dot>net

You figure it out...

Kanda' Jalen Eirsie wrote:

> Greetings...
>
> On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 17:51:11 GMT, Steven O.
> <Steven@OpZZREMOVE_ALL_Zs_AND_ALL_BETWEEN_ZZComm.c om> wrote:
>
>
>>Someone I spoke with says that something called a "router" is the
>>required tool. Can anyone tell me what this entails -- is it just,
>>connect the DSL Modem to the Router, and then run three cables from
>>the router to the three computers? Will there be any hairy software
>>configuration? And will it be possible to use the DSL account on all
>>three computers at the same time, or just one computer at at time?
>
>
> A router is a good way to go if you can afford it... And yes, that's pretty much it - a
> few configuration settings in windows and you're off. All machines can connect at will..
> Remember that they are all sharing the same bandwidth.
>
> Another way, somewhat less expensive than a router, is a simple switch - to One computer
> which is running Internet connection sharing, but that is a little more complicated, as it
> requires that the machine hooked up to the DSL run 2 nics... It's only a little cheaper.
> But many people often already have the hardware laying around...
>
> Your best bet would probably be the router - router kits these day are pretty cheap at
> the larger consumer electronic stores. Usually under $150 usd for 2 machines, another nic
> and cable can usually be had for less than $20 usd...

FWIW, I've bought new routers for as little as $10.

>
> Wireless is usually MUCH slower than wired - also the various usb, firewire etc... They
> are all slower than standard cat 5... And usually much more expensive..
>
> Hit a couple of manufacturer sites - you can usually download the pdf installation guides
> that have complete instructions and tutorials...
>
>
> ll
> Kanda'
>
> <>SPAM-KILLER<>- If you really want to contact me, then -
> kandaje<at>bresnan<dot>net
>
> You figure it out...


--
After being targeted with gigabytes of trash by the "SWEN" worm, I have
concluded we must conceal our e-mail address. Our true address is the
mirror image of what you see before the "@" symbol. It's a shame such
steps are necessary. ...Charlie

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 04:16:41 GMT, Kanda' Jalen Eirsie <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>Greetings...
>
>On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 17:51:11 GMT, Steven O.
><Steven@OpZZREMOVE_ALL_Zs_AND_ALL_BETWEEN_ZZComm. com> wrote:
>
>>Someone I spoke with says that something called a "router" is the
>>required tool. Can anyone tell me what this entails -- is it just,
>>connect the DSL Modem to the Router, and then run three cables from
>>the router to the three computers? Will there be any hairy software
>>configuration? And will it be possible to use the DSL account on all
>>three computers at the same time, or just one computer at at time?
>
> A router is a good way to go if you can afford it... And yes, that's pretty much it - a
>few configuration settings in windows and you're off. All machines can connect at will..
>Remember that they are all sharing the same bandwidth.
[snipped]

One of the most popular name-brand four-port router/switch sells for $50
*delivered*...

Greetings...

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 05:05:00 GMT, daytripper <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>One of the most popular name-brand four-port router/switch sells for $50
>*delivered*...


Yea, I haven't priced them lately...
I knew that someday, routers would probably be cheaper than switches! Where I live, we
don't have any major computer stores - just a wally world and a few office stores, and
those are usually going out of business! I'm about 350 miles from any big city...

ll
Kanda'

<>SPAM-KILLER<>- If you really want to contact me, then -
kandaje<at>bresnan<dot>net

You figure it out...

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 04:16:41 GMT, Kanda' Jalen Eirsie <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> A router is a good way to go if you can afford it... And yes, that's pretty much it - a

If you're talking about the U.S., I've seen routers for under $50, and
they usually include a built-in hub or switch with several ports. Network
cables can be purchased very cheaply mail-order at places like cyberguys.com.

> Wireless is usually MUCH slower than wired - also the various usb, firewire etc... They

True, but the real problem with wireless networking IMHO is how trivial
such networks are to break into.

--
Roger Blake
(Subtract 10 for email.)