NTL BB & home network

I am aware that there has been a fair bit of discussion on this, but
here goes...

I am a newbie to BB & cable in general and am about to sign up for NTL
cable - will be using STB since am also getting tele service. My
(home) setup is one PC, always on and running (some flavour of)
Windows and a laptop, sometimes connected, running sometimes Windows,
sometimes Linux. Both machines have ethernet & USB and are in the same
room (at the other end of the house from the tele, which will
doubtless be a cabling nightmare).

My main query concerns the best way to provide access for both
machines. The options seem to be:

(1) Get a router; cable modem -> router and router -> both machines

(2) Cable modem -> PC via USB, then network machines via ethernet

The advantages of (1) appear to me to be relative simplicity/security
(router can do DHCP and should have built-in firewalling). Another
advantage would be the possibility of getting a wireless router to
avoid painfull cabling. Drawback is, unless router -> PC's can be via
USB ports (is this possible?) networking the machines sounds like a
problem, at least without more hardware.

Advantages of (2): no hardware issues. Disadvantages: I have to learn
more networking & firewalling :-(

Any thoughts, experiences appreciated,

Lionel

Various resources on the web provide info on this (e.g.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...n.html#homelan)

I have a similar setup to yours using a Linksys Etherfast Cable/DSL router.
This has an Ethernet connection to the STB, the cabling for which NTL
included in the install of the STB itself (cable runs outside between the
living room and a bedroom).

The two PCs connect to the the Linksys router LAN ports - also via Ethernet.
The machines are even running different versions of Windows (currently 95
and XP). They can also talk to each other via the connection (e.g. for
sharing a printer) - or at least the could when the second machine was using
Win ME (hasn't worked since the upgrade to XP for some reason?).

The main issue was registering the NTL service and configuring the router
and PCs. The various web resources walk you through this. The main issue I
had was that the Win 95 PC seems to need a static IP address, or else it
fails to reconfigure when coming out of "standby" mode (as opposed to full
restart).


"Lionel B" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I am aware that there has been a fair bit of discussion on this, but
> here goes...
>
> I am a newbie to BB & cable in general and am about to sign up for NTL
> cable - will be using STB since am also getting tele service. My
> (home) setup is one PC, always on and running (some flavour of)
> Windows and a laptop, sometimes connected, running sometimes Windows,
> sometimes Linux. Both machines have ethernet & USB and are in the same
> room (at the other end of the house from the tele, which will
> doubtless be a cabling nightmare).
>
> My main query concerns the best way to provide access for both
> machines. The options seem to be:
>
> (1) Get a router; cable modem -> router and router -> both machines
>
> (2) Cable modem -> PC via USB, then network machines via ethernet
>
> The advantages of (1) appear to me to be relative simplicity/security
> (router can do DHCP and should have built-in firewalling). Another
> advantage would be the possibility of getting a wireless router to
> avoid painfull cabling. Drawback is, unless router -> PC's can be via
> USB ports (is this possible?) networking the machines sounds like a
> problem, at least without more hardware.
>
> Advantages of (2): no hardware issues. Disadvantages: I have to learn
> more networking & firewalling :-(
>
> Any thoughts, experiences appreciated,
>
> Lionel

In article <(E-Mail Removed) >, Lionel B
wrote:

> I am a newbie to BB & cable in general and am about to sign up for NTL
> cable - will be using STB since am also getting tele service. My
> (home) setup is one PC, always on and running (some flavour of)
> Windows and a laptop, sometimes connected, running sometimes Windows,
> sometimes Linux. Both machines have ethernet & USB and are in the same
> room (at the other end of the house from the tele, which will
> doubtless be a cabling nightmare).
>
> My main query concerns the best way to provide access for both
> machines. The options seem to be:
>
> (1) Get a router; cable modem -> router and router -> both machines
>
> (2) Cable modem -> PC via USB, then network machines via ethernet
>
> The advantages of (1) appear to me to be relative simplicity/security
> (router can do DHCP and should have built-in firewalling). Another
> advantage would be the possibility of getting a wireless router to
> avoid painfull cabling. Drawback is, unless router -> PC's can be via
> USB ports (is this possible?) networking the machines sounds like a
> problem, at least without more hardware.
>
> Advantages of (2): no hardware issues. Disadvantages: I have to learn
> more networking & firewalling :-(
>
> Any thoughts, experiences appreciated,

My setup is simpler than yours (2 PCs running Windows ME). I chose a
Belkin 4-port router and bought D-Link USB to ethernet convertors. It
all works OK (surfing on both PCs simultaneously, even though explicitly
not supported by NTL 150K). Speed is not an issue for me so the
additional USB processing overhead far outweighs the need to delve
inside the PCs.


--

Jock Mackirdy
Bedford

"Jock Mackirdy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <(E-Mail Removed) >, Lionel B
> wrote:
>
> > I am a newbie to BB & cable in general and am about to sign up for NTL
> > cable - will be using STB since am also getting tele service. My
> > (home) setup is one PC, always on and running (some flavour of)

<snip>

> My setup is simpler than yours (2 PCs running Windows ME). I chose a
> Belkin 4-port router and bought D-Link USB to ethernet convertors. It
> all works OK (surfing on both PCs simultaneously, even though explicitly
> not supported by NTL 150K). Speed is not an issue for me so the
> additional USB processing overhead far outweighs the need to delve
> inside the PCs.

My setup again is similar 150k Ntl Cable modem D-Link DI-614+ 4 port router
with wireless regularly have two hard wired connections (Ethernet to Kids
bedrooms ) and wireless laptop in lounge running simultaneously with no
problems at all . Why are you having the STB though ?


Mike

Without knowing your level of competence in adding a network cable
across the house I'm not sure if that would be the best option for
you, but that would be the way I would prefer to set it up myself, as
indeed I have! Connection wise you would just need a modem, firewall,
small hub and the network cards in the pc's themselves, (which you say
you already have).
Wireless shouldn't be a problem, avoiding all the extra work of
cabling, assuming you dont live in a huge thick walled house!
I have used the Netgear access point, router, firewall combo before
with good results. This can be attached to your modem via ethernet and
at the other end of your network would be the laptop and pc, with
either usb, PCI, PCMCIA etc wireless cards, the two ends of the
network will work perfectly well. The possibilities are endless, I
think they would be the two most suited to your situation.
I think your pros and cons are quite right, cable networks are simple
to setup, securely. A little more knowledge is required for wireless,
especially to ensure it is all secured properly.
Hope it helps, shout for more info.
SJW

(E-Mail Removed) (Lionel B) wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed). com>...
> I am aware that there has been a fair bit of discussion on this, but
> here goes...
>
> I am a newbie to BB & cable in general and am about to sign up for NTL
> cable - will be using STB since am also getting tele service. My
> (home) setup is one PC, always on and running (some flavour of)
> Windows and a laptop, sometimes connected, running sometimes Windows,
> sometimes Linux. Both machines have ethernet & USB and are in the same
> room (at the other end of the house from the tele, which will
> doubtless be a cabling nightmare).
>
> My main query concerns the best way to provide access for both
> machines. The options seem to be:
>
> (1) Get a router; cable modem -> router and router -> both machines
>
> (2) Cable modem -> PC via USB, then network machines via ethernet
>
> The advantages of (1) appear to me to be relative simplicity/security
> (router can do DHCP and should have built-in firewalling). Another
> advantage would be the possibility of getting a wireless router to
> avoid painfull cabling. Drawback is, unless router -> PC's can be via
> USB ports (is this possible?) networking the machines sounds like a
> problem, at least without more hardware.
>
> Advantages of (2): no hardware issues. Disadvantages: I have to learn
> more networking & firewalling :-(
>
> Any thoughts, experiences appreciated,
>
> Lionel

(E-Mail Removed) (Lionel B) wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed). com>...
> I am aware that there has been a fair bit of discussion on this, but
> here goes...

/snip/

Thanks for the helpful responses. I suspect I'll probably go for some
sort of hardware router solution (any recommendations? - price *is* an
issue...). Couple of questions:

1) Will your average NAT router (WAN port) connect straight from the
NTL STB - preferably with NTL-supplied cabling?

2) Is a router likely to function as a basic hub; i.e. if I connect
several machines' NICs to the router's LAN ports, will they be able to
talk to each other, share resources, etc.?

It sounds as if the answer to both of these questions should be
"yes"...

Lionel

In article <bti8fc$78dfc$(E-Mail Removed)>, Mike Jones Super
Hero wrote:
> "Jock Mackirdy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > In article <(E-Mail Removed) >, Lionel B
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I am a newbie to BB & cable in general and am about to sign up for NTL
> > > cable - will be using STB since am also getting tele service. My
> > > (home) setup is one PC, always on and running (some flavour of)
>
> <snip>
>
> > My setup is simpler than yours (2 PCs running Windows ME). I chose a
> > Belkin 4-port router and bought D-Link USB to ethernet convertors. It
> > all works OK (surfing on both PCs simultaneously, even though explicitly
> > not supported by NTL 150K). Speed is not an issue for me so the
> > additional USB processing overhead far outweighs the need to delve
> > inside the PCs.
>
> My setup again is similar 150k Ntl Cable modem D-Link DI-614+ 4 port router
> with wireless regularly have two hard wired connections (Ethernet to Kids
> bedrooms ) and wireless laptop in lounge running simultaneously with no
> problems at all . Why are you having the STB though ?

Not my post - it's Lionel with the Set Top Box. I have a cable modem (I don't
use any other ntl services).

--

Jock Mackirdy
Bedford

" Mike Jones Super Hero" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<bti8fc$78dfc$(E-Mail Removed)>...
> > In article <(E-Mail Removed) >, Lionel B
> > wrote:
> > > I am a newbie to BB & cable in general and am about to sign up for NTL
> > > cable - will be using STB since am also getting tele service. My
> > > (home) setup is one PC, always on and running (some flavour of)

/snip/

> My setup again is similar 150k Ntl Cable modem D-Link DI-614+ 4 port router
> with wireless regularly have two hard wired connections (Ethernet to Kids
> bedrooms ) and wireless laptop in lounge running simultaneously with no
> problems at all . Why are you having the STB though ?

Cable tele, FWIW :-/

Lionel