2 PC's, one DSL connection

visserj · Post by **visserj** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 8:46 pm

I have one PC that's currently hooked up to a DSL connection via an internal Speedstream DSL modem. I'm in the process of buying a notebook that I'd like to hook up to the same DSL connection. The notebook obviously needs an ethernet card to do that, I got that far.

While researching the different options, I see different solutions that are based on using an external DSL modem. Is there any way I can connect my notebook and desktop PC to the same DSL line, use them at the same time and without speed reduction
without acquiring an external DSL modem?

I originally received the external DSL modem through my DSL provider (earthlink) but after the initial modem died on me and they sent a replacement that died as well, I was so tired of earthlink that I bought an internal DSL modem. So far not one single problem...but what to do next?

Any ideas??

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 9:48 pm

Get a rounter. A linksys router, netgear router are both fine choices. I'm sure u'll find one router if you go out and look for one... there are tonnes out there right now.

Not quite sure how an internal modem works but I'll leave it for others to answer that. Basically, with a router u can have 2 comp or more hooked wihtout much speed reduction. I currenly have 5 computers hooked up onto one cable line. No speed diff, that is unless I'm dling a big file. If not, I can surf comp with 5 comps and no lag.

mnosteele52 · Post by **mnosteele52** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 9:49 pm

Welcome to Speedguide

, just buy yourself a Linksys router, you can pick one up for $50-70.

visserj · Post by **visserj** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 10:17 pm

Originally posted by mnosteele52
Welcome to Speedguide , just buy yourself a Linksys router, you can pick one up for $50-70.

Thanks. One question though. How would that work? In all diagrams I have seen, the two computers connect to a router, the router connects to the DSL modem and the DSL modem to the phone jack.

How would this work with a Linksys router?

zxc47 · Post by **zxc47** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 8:39 am

visserj A router would be the best way to go , But with an internal modem or a external modem that use a usb to hook to your computer you will need to add a lan card to both computers.Also if you only have one computer to add you don't need a router just run a crossover cable cat6 or cat5e from your laptop lan card to the lan card in your computer.That one way!
The best way would be external modem to(cat6 crossover cable) router wan port then you would hook both computers to the ports on the router.(Patch cable cat6)

ScottE · Post by **ScottE** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 4:10 pm

You could also buy an ethernet card for your current PC and use windows Internet Connection Sharing.

visserj · Post by **visserj** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 4:19 pm

Originally posted by agentbeast
You could also buy an ethernet card for your current PC and use windows Internet Connection Sharing.

Current PC has an ethernet card. I just want to solution to be working well. One PC may be off while working on the other, since the 2nd PC is a laptop, it may be disconnected. Ideally, I'd like to have a solution where two people can use the same DSL connection without being dependent on eachother. No hassles..it needs to work.

Should I just call &^*^(%^ earthlink and let them swap the external DSL modem once again? It sounds that, in combination with a router, is the easiest solution?

ScottE · Post by **ScottE** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 4:28 pm

You'll need an external DSL modem again.

Yes the router is the best and easiest solution. It'll also provide you with a good measure of protection.

visserj · Post by **visserj** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 4:40 pm

Originally posted by agentbeast
You'll need an external DSL modem again.

Yes the router is the best and easiest solution. It'll also provide you with a good measure of protection.

Thanks. I'll try to get earthlink to once again swap a defective modem. Weirdest thing, they work for a little while..and then poof.

ScottE · Post by **ScottE** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 5:51 pm

Originally posted by visserj
Thanks. I'll try to get earthlink to once again swap a defective modem. Weirdest thing, they work for a little while..and then poof.

Might be something wrong with your phone wiring? Or perhaps the power feed? Or maybe the modems just suck.

visserj · Post by **visserj** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 6:17 pm

Originally posted by agentbeast
Might be something wrong with your phone wiring? Or perhaps the power feed? Or maybe the modems just suck.

I thought about the wiring, had Covad measure the signal and went with the internal modem. It works great for me now...I have no disconnects where as with the external ones, it happened frequently. I just don't look forward to that mess again.

Aren't there any routers with internal DSL modems or something? So you would connect two PC's to a router and the router aka DSL modem connects to the phone jack?

ScottE · Post by **ScottE** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 7:13 pm

Originally posted by visserj

Aren't there any routers with internal DSL modems or something? So you would connect two PC's to a router and the router aka DSL modem connects to the phone jack?

Yes I know they have them. Modems that can support more than 1 computer. I couldn't give you any names though.

Hmmm found something. Weather or not this will work with your DSL connection is another thing. Also I couldn't tell you what modems are good and what isn't either with DSL I don't have much experience with the modems and such other than helping a few of my friends with DSL tweak them and whatnot.

Look under the Residential Multiuser section I think that is what you are looking for here. But again I can't tell you if it will work or not with your DSL connection.

http://www.speedtouch.com/homeprod.htm

dsl-jds · Post by **dsl-jds** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 6:15 pm

My DSL provider gave me a 3Com 812 ADSL modem router with 4 ports. Works great.

JeffL · Post by **JeffL** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 11:23 pm

Yeah, ICS really sucks, don't use it, ever, even installing it to use it temporarility and then uninstalling later doesn't fix the problems it causes.

Routers are good. I bought a 1 port router on eBay (SPeedstream 2601) for $17 with $6 shipping new in box. 1 port router just means it has a LAN and a WAN port. Then you connect a hub to the LAN port. And the cable/dsl modem to the WAN port.

You could get a DSL modem with extra ports, but unless it has a built in router it will assign you multiple internet IPs which you might pay extra for. The other thing is if the DSL modem/router were to die, you would be out both items.

Anyway, it sounds like you use PPoE. In that case, any router supporting that would automatically "connect" without your even doing anything. I know my router does this, although I have cable so I don't need PPoE support.

visserj · Post by **visserj** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 11:05 pm

Originally posted by dsl-jds
My DSL provider gave me a 3Com 812 ADSL modem router with 4 ports. Works great.

Yeah, I may go for the Speedstream 2601 as well. I'm looking for a good Speedstream modem, probably the 5263 or so. The modems are hard to find, I guess they deliver most of them through ISP's.

What cabling do you use from the PC's to your router and from your router to the DSL modem?

gobd · Post by **gobd** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 10:20 am

Originally posted by JeffL
Yeah, ICS really sucks, don't use it, ever, even installing it to use it temporarility and then uninstalling later doesn't fix the problems it causes.

ICS isn't THAT bad, it doesn't cause problems that are impossible to fix, all you do is un-check the ICS box in networking and its gone. Its the cheapest and easiest solution to sharing your internet connection if you don't mind that all of your cliens will be dependant on the host computer. I've been using ICS for a long time because i don't want to spend the money for a good router and with ICS enabled it my client computer actually gets much better download speeds then the host computer does with ICS disabled. I know enabling ICS shouldn't give me extra bandwidth, but it does an doesn't cause any irreversable problems because of it.

dsl-jds · Post by **dsl-jds** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 7:06 pm

The 3Com 812 is a modem 4-port router combined. I have two computers connected via Cat5e cable and the notebook using Linksys wireless. Generally, Cat5E is used for both the WAN and LAN sides of the router.