Internet Control

[delphi17857]

Hello. I have a XP machine downstairs that has the cable modem hooked up to it. I have a 98se machine upstairs that I want to be able to share files, game playing between the two machines, and I want to be able to control when the machine upstairs has internet access!First, will I have to limit who has admin. rights on the downstairs XP computer? I would like me or my wife to be the only ones to determine when there is internet access upstairs.(Yes, I have 2 teenage kids) If I would use the Linksys router with 4 port switch, could the kids play a game between the computers without having the cable modem on? Thanks for any help that is offered!

[YeOldeStonecat]

Some routers support content filtering and time blocks to allow access...but honestly the content filtering is a bit weak compared to say some monitoring program like NetNanny....but I don't have much experience with those "monitoring" programs.

Yes they can play games back and forth using a router even if the broadband modem is turned off.

[delphi17857]

Can you tell me what you, or anyone else in this forum, thinks of the Linksys BEFSR41 EtherFast® Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch. The easier to set up, the better. I know pretty much about all other aspects of computers, but this networking is taking time to sink in. Before I forget, is it better perfomance to use the onboard ethernet(Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller) on my XP machine, or should I use a network card?
Thanks!!!

[YeOldeStonecat]

Honestly...I think they're fine when used in a lightweight situation (such as the average home with a couple of computers sharing an internet connection).

I have probably installed over a 125 of those little blue guys...and they do fine. Sure they're not Netopia, Sonicwall, or Cisco grade in performance...but the average home user does not need those. For 75 bucks....hey, can't go wrong. Incredibly easy to setup and manage, upgrade firmware, very compatible, and one of the few routers that works with UPnP services like MSN Messenger.

I've worked with many many brands of routers...and for an entry level home market router...the Linksys is quite good.

[delphi17857]

Hope you don't mind all of my questions? The 1st one I had asked earlier. Is it better perfomance to use my onboard ethernet(Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller) on my XP machine, or should I use a network card? My 2nd question was, I may have to run the ethernet cable outside. Is there any problem with that? The distance is around 50-70 feet. Just regular ethernet or crossover cable from switch to both computers? Thanks for your experience, for which you share!!!

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by delphi17857
Hope you don't mind all of my questions? The 1st one I had asked earlier. Is it better perfomance to use my onboard ethernet(Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller) on my XP machine, or should I use a network card? My 2nd question was, I may have to run the ethernet cable outside. Is there any problem with that? The distance is around 50-70 feet. Just regular ethernet or crossover cable from switch to both computers? Thanks for your experience, for which you share!!!

Oops..I'm sorry..I had that answer spooled up in my mind...got distracted at work....

If you're around this forum much, you'll see me preach the praises of good network cards...I like 3COM and Intel. Are there differences in 3COM or Intel network cards versus the rest of the world of under 20 dollar network cards? Yes there are. Will the average home user who surfs the internet on broadband notice the difference between them? No he/she will not. If you're a hardcore online gamer who insists on the best possible performance in their online gaming (read..."lowest ping")...then a good NIC makes a difference. Or if you run some web server, or mail server, or gaming server...then a good NIC will make a difference. But for the average person...you will not notice a difference doing average online tasks. It's the extreme use that brings out the difference....your onboard Broadcom NIC will do just fine. Onboard NIC still uses the PCI bus...it's just built in...that's all.

Computer to hub/switch/lan port of router...you'll use a standard patch cable. Crossover cable is for computer to computer....or various uplinks from other networking equipment when an uplink port is not available.

Patch cable running outside...hmmm...I can see some circumstances where weathering can damage it. Freezing ice....prolonged exposure to direct sun can damage the outer jacket. Perhaps keeping it inside of some conduit would protect it.

[delphi17857]

Hello YeOldeStonecat. I wanted to run this by you to make sure I will accomplish what I'm trying to do. I have cable modem service coming to my Motorola Surboard cable modem box. From there it will go to a, soon to be purchased, Linksys router with 4 port switch. From there, two lines (is cat 5 the same as "patch" that you referred to?)go to each computer. Will the 2 computers be on a LAN? Will they be able to share files and printers? You already said the kids will be able to "game" against each other with cable modem turned off. I wanted to make sure before buying the router/switch and another network card. This part of computing doesn't seem to sink into my brain. I wanted to say thank you for helping this newbie to networking!!! You knowledge is appreciated!!! Thanks

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by delphi17857
Hello YeOldeStonecat. I wanted to run this by you to make sure I will accomplish what I'm trying to do. I have cable modem service coming to my Motorola Surboard cable modem box. From there it will go to a, soon to be purchased, Linksys router with 4 port switch. From there, two lines (is cat 5 the same as "patch" that you referred to?)go to each computer. Will the 2 computers be on a LAN? Will they be able to share files and printers? You already said the kids will be able to "game" against each other with cable modem turned off. I wanted to make sure before buying the router/switch and another network card. This part of computing doesn't seem to sink into my brain. I wanted to say thank you for helping this newbie to networking!!! You knowledge is appreciated!!! Thanks

The answer is all "Yes"...

Most of the broadband routers out there have a built in 4 port switch...they are in effect "combo units"....both a router, and a switch. Most commercial routers are only routers...1x WAN port, 1x LAN port...and you need to uplink them into another switch or a hub for your LAN. But for the home market, they have made broadband routers for people to built small home networks....combines both a router and a switch...all in one box.

So you can plug 4 computers into the switch half of the router..power it up...and have a small network. In this respect...you're only using half of the device...just the switch part. Now...plug your broadband modem into the WAN port of the router...configure the router...now you're using both halfs of the product...the switch...and the router...the router part is what gives all your computers internet access.

The fact that all your computers are plugged into the switch part...the DHCP service of the router makes sure all your computers are setup on the same TCP scope....as long as they are configured properly...so they are all on the same network..able to share files, printers, play games, etc. This can all function fine with the cable modem turned off.

[TonyT]

delphi17857

I have 5 systems networked, 2 of them use store bought cat5 cables that go outside via a window sash, up the side of the house and into 2 separate walls through the siding. I tucked the cables behind the siding corner channel and tucked them into other available spaces along the route. But there are a few spots that are exposed to weather and sunlight. Been there for 2 years withot any problems. I bought the "heaviest" 50' cat5 cables the store had. There are very well shielded.

Your Linksys router can be access via the XP computer. Once there, go into the Advanced settings and you can use the built in filters. I do this all the time. You can filter a specific IP on the network, e.g the other computer and shut off it's internet access. This is one of the ways I discipline the kids!

I am not sure if filtering the other computer will cut it off from the network or not. If so, then games between machines will not be possible until the filter is disabled.

[delphi17857]

Thanks for that valuable information. Did you buy the cat5 at a local mom and pop store, or at a large chain such Lowes, Home Depot, etc. I had thought about how my phone line cable has been outside for at least 20 years(the smaller type that you normally use inside,not the phone company's black line), and it still works.
Another thing I wanted to know is, can I hook up my XP machine and get it working, then hook the one upstairs when I have the time?
As for filtering, if controlling the internet effects the game playing, I can get software for the upstairs computer to put a "lock" on Internet Explorer.
I will continue to visit this site as often as I can to gain much needed knowledge. I hope I can help somebody out here like I have at the Toshiba forum. Thanks again, Steve