NTL Broadband sharing question

Hi,

My daughter has just moved into a house where there is an NTL
broadband installation - the kit associated with tis is in a ground
floor room (occupied by another student).

Can anyone please advise me what is needed for her to be able to share
this connection - in terms of both software and hardware?

Her room is on the second floor, there is a telephone point there that
is equipped with a line filter.

--
Cheers

Peter

Please remove the invalid to reply

Peter wrote:
> Hi,
>
> My daughter has just moved into a house where there is an NTL
> broadband installation - the kit associated with tis is in a ground
> floor room (occupied by another student).
>
> Can anyone please advise me what is needed for her to be able to share
> this connection - in terms of both software and hardware?
>
> Her room is on the second floor, there is a telephone point there that
> is equipped with a line filter.
>

As nobody else has responded ....

On the assumption that the NTL modem has an Ethernet connection (I am on
Telewest)and that it is a cable connection - not sure if NTL does any
form of ADSL install, so we need to clarify the type of connection first.

Some details here http://makeashorterlink.com/?N11A626DD

I would suggest a router (note do NOT purchase one with an inbuilt ADSL
modem).

The problem is likely to arise in respect of connecting the router to
your daughters PC.

Options are

1. Cat 5 cable assuming you can run it up two floors which will
physically connect her pc to the router. She will need a Ethernet
connection on her pc.

2. Some form of wireless connection (her computer will need a wireless
card if not already fitted)

3. Extend the network using mains network adapter that allows for the
transmission of traffic via the ring circuit.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?K10A326DD

Option 1 likely to be the most reliable and cheapest.

Problem with 2 is likely to be whether there is sufficient range for
wireless router (note will need to buy wireless router if going down
this route)
Option 3 - possible expense and if separate ring mains may not connect
or run very quickly.

We need more information.

Alan

On Mon, 25 Sep 2006 10:44:02 +0100, Alan <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:


>As nobody else has responded ....
>
>On the assumption that the NTL modem has an Ethernet connection (I am on
>Telewest)and that it is a cable connection - not sure if NTL does any
>form of ADSL install, so we need to clarify the type of connection first.
>
>Some details here http://makeashorterlink.com/?N11A626DD
>
>I would suggest a router (note do NOT purchase one with an inbuilt ADSL
>modem).
>
>The problem is likely to arise in respect of connecting the router to
>your daughters PC.
>
>Options are
>
>1. Cat 5 cable assuming you can run it up two floors which will
>physically connect her pc to the router. She will need a Ethernet
>connection on her pc.
>
>2. Some form of wireless connection (her computer will need a wireless
>card if not already fitted)
>
>3. Extend the network using mains network adapter that allows for the
>transmission of traffic via the ring circuit.
>
>http://makeashorterlink.com/?K10A326DD
>
>Option 1 likely to be the most reliable and cheapest.
>
>Problem with 2 is likely to be whether there is sufficient range for
>wireless router (note will need to buy wireless router if going down
>this route)
>Option 3 - possible expense and if separate ring mains may not connect
>or run very quickly.
>
>We need more information.
>
>Alan

Alan,

Thanks for your reply.

Details are scarce at the moment. However I do know that a Speedtouch
330 seems to be involved - I believe this is a USB type.

Option 1 is a non starter - too far, too complicated a run

Option 3 is also out as the house wiring is of unknown vintage/quality
etc

Option 2 seems to be the one to go for - what I'm not sure of is how a
wireless router will interface with what I have assumed is a USB cable
modem

--
Cheers

Peter

Please remove the invalid to reply

Peter wrote:

>
> Details are scarce at the moment. However I do know that a Speedtouch
> 330 seems to be involved - I believe this is a USB type.
>
> Option 1 is a non starter - too far, too complicated a run
>
> Option 3 is also out as the house wiring is of unknown vintage/quality
> etc
>
> Option 2 seems to be the one to go for - what I'm not sure of is how a
> wireless router will interface with what I have assumed is a USB cable
> modem
>
The 330 appears to be an adsl modem (http://www.speedtouch.co.uk/330.asp)

So on the assumption you're using an adsl connection, you should just be
able to chuck the 330 into a drawer and substitute your own adsl
modem/wireless router (assuming you want to go wireless - a cabled LAN
is /much/ more reliable, more secure and faster!), of which there are
plenty of choices around.

If it turns out to be a cable BB connection, ntl will have supplied
their own cable modem, which should have an ethernet port - then you
just need a plain wireless router. Again, plenty of choice.

BTW I'd be surprised if any distance in a house is "too far" for a cable
run - the length restriction runs to hundreds of metres.

--
Please use the corrected version of the address below for replies.
Replies to the header address will be junked, as will mail from
various domains listed at www.scottsonline.org.uk
Mike Scott Harlow Essex England.(unet -a-t- scottsonline.org.uk)

On Mon, 25 Sep 2006 10:54:04 +0100, Peter wrote:

> On Mon, 25 Sep 2006 10:44:02 +0100, Alan <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>
>>As nobody else has responded ....
>>
>>On the assumption that the NTL modem has an Ethernet connection (I am on
>>Telewest)and that it is a cable connection - not sure if NTL does any
>>form of ADSL install, so we need to clarify the type of connection first.
>>
>>Some details here http://makeashorterlink.com/?N11A626DD
>>
>>I would suggest a router (note do NOT purchase one with an inbuilt ADSL
>>modem).
>>
>>The problem is likely to arise in respect of connecting the router to
>>your daughters PC.
>>
>>Options are
>>
>>1. Cat 5 cable assuming you can run it up two floors which will
>>physically connect her pc to the router. She will need a Ethernet
>>connection on her pc.
>>
>>2. Some form of wireless connection (her computer will need a wireless
>>card if not already fitted)
>>
>>3. Extend the network using mains network adapter that allows for the
>>transmission of traffic via the ring circuit.
>>
>>http://makeashorterlink.com/?K10A326DD
>>
>>Option 1 likely to be the most reliable and cheapest.
>>
>>Problem with 2 is likely to be whether there is sufficient range for
>>wireless router (note will need to buy wireless router if going down
>>this route)
>>Option 3 - possible expense and if separate ring mains may not connect
>>or run very quickly.
>>
>>We need more information.
>>
>>Alan
>
> Alan,
>
> Thanks for your reply.
>
> Details are scarce at the moment. However I do know that a Speedtouch
> 330 seems to be involved - I believe this is a USB type.
>
> Option 1 is a non starter - too far, too complicated a run
>
> Option 3 is also out as the house wiring is of unknown vintage/quality
> etc
>
> Option 2 seems to be the one to go for - what I'm not sure of is how a
> wireless router will interface with what I have assumed is a USB cable
> modem

If it's a speedtouch 330 then is has USB only and is not suitable for more than
one PC. It's pants!

You need to source a wireless ADSL modem/router and set that up.
Try and get one with detatchable antenna(s) (not Belkin - fixed antennas)
that way you can imprave the signal if needed with a better or directional
antenna.

The PC end will also need wifi (unless it's a laptop with onboard wifi)
The PC wifi cards nearly always have detatchable antennas.

Remember to use WPA-PSK encryption on the wifi...also hiding the SSID is not
really worth it as other wifi users may end up putting their equipment on the
same channel.

And by all means.. have fun.

Peter wrote:

>
> Details are scarce at the moment. However I do know that a Speedtouch
> 330 seems to be involved - I believe this is a USB type.
>
> Option 1 is a non starter - too far, too complicated a run
>
> Option 3 is also out as the house wiring is of unknown vintage/quality
> etc
>
> Option 2 seems to be the one to go for - what I'm not sure of is how a
> wireless router will interface with what I have assumed is a USB cable
> modem
>

Peter

Looking around on the web it seems to suggest that this is an USB ADSL
Modem. Do you know how the service is provided - via the telephone line
or via a separate (I presume like Telewest) coaxial cable run from a
head end in the street. This is critical to the path you take.

If its ADSL in general terms you should be able to replace the USB modem
with a combined ADSL wireless router/modem. The router can then act as a
DHCP server and lease IP addresses to the computers connected on the
internal network (whether via Ethernet or wireless)

All computers will need a network connection (Ethernet RJ45 or Wireless
card)

The ADSL router will need configuring with connection details. The other
issue is whether the wireless router will have the range to reach two
floors (I guess depends on structure of building).

I have no experience of NTL ADSL (if such a thing exists) so there may
some proprietory "gotchas" that some more knowledgeable souls can assist
with.

Alan

On 25 Sep 2006, Peter <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>My daughter has just moved into a house where there is an NTL
>broadband installation - the kit associated with tis is in a ground
>floor room (occupied by another student).

>Her room is on the second floor, there is a telephone point there that
>is equipped with a line filter.

Has the landlord been approached, since there will be a growing need for
internet access, and it would be to his/her benefit to be able to market
the accommodation as "being equipped". As someone else wrote, the
use of cable would provide a secure (from external eavesdroppers!)
and speedy means by which to share access to all rooms, and if done
professionally (the local PC shop, perhaps) would mean that all who are
living there can have reliable and supported service (albeit one which the
cable firm might not be too happy with, if they ever became aware).

I know the owner of a property let out to students who went down this
route with the firm which is already responsible for all electrical and
similar building work (she's an arty type, enjoys decorating and DIY
but some things are required to meet safety regs etc).

Of course, sharing a connection might be far from ideal if someone is a
heavy downloader of music etc (and might lead to additional fees or
the connection being cut off). So if she has a BT line, it might be
worth considering use of a separate ADSL service - one with an
activation fee and monthly contract perhaps - so she's able to cancel
during the summer months next year, esp if she comes home/travels
and/or moves to some other property for the next academic year.

As for software, make sure she has a firewall enabled on her kit so
anything others might download should be "kept off" her PC. If
you want to be extra cautious, plug a broadband router in so her
connection is on the "LAN" side of it, and the "WAN" side is connected
to the household "LAN". Her PC will be behind the "NAT" effect of the
router and thus more likely the router would deflect any attempts to
hack into her machine, while allowing her to 'call out' onto the net
(and assuming she has Windows XP, you could have access to her
PC using the free access software at www.logmein.com despite
any routers/NAT/firewalls, so long as it is allowed to 'call home'). HTH.

On 25 Sep 2006, Alan <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I have no experience of NTL ADSL (if such a thing exists)

They're using ADSL from BTW (NTL manages Tesco.Net for Tesco, for example)

It does seem odd if NTL cable internet is being used, or, given mention of
the 330 unit, they have NTL for TV/phone calls but also a BT line for ADSL.
Certainly needs further clarification.

Nice bit about using RJ45 is seeing LEDs light up when things are working
and being able to track any problems down to a single cable/connection,
while wireless may be workable, it could also be a major pain (especially
in the debugging of a problem, worse when one lives 100 miles away!)

Alan wrote:
....
> The ADSL router will need configuring with connection details. The other
> issue is whether the wireless router will have the range to reach two
> floors (I guess depends on structure of building).

Can anyone shed light on radiation patterns out of the horizontal? I've
always supposed these things are intended for use within a "floor", and
given that the aerials are vertical, have always assumed that
propagation between floors might be 'iffy'. I can't imagine a receiver
vertically above an access point would get much joy.

--
Please use the corrected version of the address below for replies.
Replies to the header address will be junked, as will mail from
various domains listed at www.scottsonline.org.uk
Mike Scott Harlow Essex England.(unet -a-t- scottsonline.org.uk)

Mike Scott wrote:
> Alan wrote:
> ...
>> The ADSL router will need configuring with connection details. The
>> other issue is whether the wireless router will have the range to
>> reach two floors (I guess depends on structure of building).
>
> Can anyone shed light on radiation patterns out of the horizontal?
> I've always supposed these things are intended for use within a
> "floor", and given that the aerials are vertical, have always assumed
> that propagation between floors might be 'iffy'. I can't imagine a
> receiver vertically above an access point would get much joy.

Tilt the aerials.