Sharing Internet Over Many PC

[lennytiger]

I've just got the network set up everything is working well but when it comes to internet sharing i'm lost.

I want to share the ISDN connection over many all my pcs even if my server is switched off.

Is this what a router does??

i need something hardware based to plug into one of the hubs and then provide internet access to the rest of the network.

[UnseenMenace]

Yes a router allows you to share your internet connection over many PC's and some contain some type of firewall.
I use a Netgear RO319 Security Router (8 port) and consider this to be a great product, well worth the money imho

[lennytiger]

So if I have a pc requiring net access will this allow me to connect to ISDN when 1 pc needs internet access and will it disconect after?

Or is it an always on type of system?

thanks for the reply,

lenny

[UnseenMenace]

The router will allow multiple PC's to share the internet connection, 1 or more PC's can access the net at any given time. Alternatively if you do not wish to use a router you could set the PC up with the net connection as a proxy and network the others though that. I personally prefer a router for security reasons and ease.
If you use Microsoft products I believe they have internet connection sharing software with the OS's however I have not personally tried this

[Mi6]

you should get WIn200Pro for networking if you do not whant a router...
if you whant to network 2 pcs all you need is 3Network Cards and CrossOver Wires

works out like this

Main PC with Internet access
this pc got 2Network cards
one for Internet and one to hook up on the othere pc..

2ed Pc just needs one Network card

Now you need to plug the Cross over wire to the 2 and get a Proggy to do the network for you or do it manualy

just get Allaboard and it will do it for you easy
im not sure were to get it now but just look around on www.download.com or www.zd.com

[lennytiger]

I think routers are the best bet but does this mean I have to have a constantly connected ISDN line??

Also the only thing that puts me off now is the price best get saving!!

cheers

lenny

[Hayduke]

Current setup: 2 Windows machines with crossover cable using internet sharing for a usb 56k modem.

Planning ahead, if I got a SMC router/switch with built-in serial port, could I use my existing modem with a usb/serial adapter? I assume the modem would work either through the lan, connected to either computer's usb port, or through the switch's serial modem port. Is this correct?

I won't have cable internet available for many months yet (if then) but I want to be able to just plug in and go without having to rebuild my entire networking setup. I plan on adding 1 or 2 more computers so the crossover cable won't work.

[lennytiger]

If you will want to add more pcs to your network at a later stage you will have to use a hub and patch cabes going from the hub to each pc rather than crossover.

[lennytiger]

I don't know how relibable the serial/usb adapter would be to connect your modem and router togeather. It sounds a bit strange to me having that kind of a setup. most people have a dedicated router to either an ISDN or cable line. My advice is if you don't want to waste money trying to get that usb modem and router to work is just get your other two pcs on the network and then consider you cable/dsl access.

[Hayduke]

Ok let me clarify this a little. The SMC switch/router has a built in serial modem port as well as the usual cable/dsl port. But my modem is usb. I've never used one of those usb to serial adapters so I don't know if it would work or not for connecting the modem to the router. BUT - if it doesn't work, then how about the modem being shared from any computer's usb port, assuming I have the computers all connected to a router?

The whole point of this exercise is that I don't know if or when I'll have access to cable internet. I keep getting the runaround from the cable company about what their plans are. DSL is definitely out due to my distance from the phone company's office. So my only current choice is to get the modem shared among the networked computers and I'm trying to decide which pieces/parts I need to buy.

[lennytiger]

If you don't want to set and old 486 or something up as a proxy server and get a modem in that then I would try the router.

I don't think the USB serial adapter are effecient or reliable because they don't deliver the same amount of power to the device they run, but you may be ok if your modem has an external power supply.

[bergie007]

I have a similar problem but my reason for this setup is that here in South Africa we only have analogue modem @ ZAR 0.68 per minute or ISDN for slightly more.This is a message I was going to post before I read this thread:

I have 5 clients and 1 dual processor proxy server (no OS or software yet). I want to give all the clients internet access over 1 modem as follows:
-When one of the clients runs PROGRAM A*, this program must tell the proxy that client X is online. The proxy must then establish a dial-up connection to my ISP.
-When the next client goes online, the proxy must serve internet to that client as well as any other clients that connect and come online.
-The proxy must only disconnect from the ISP when there are no more clients online, i.e. program A has been closed on all the clients.

*Program A: a small program that launches itself and IE5 when run. Program tells proxy that a client wants internet.

Its a bit confusing but I dont know how to explain otherwise.Basically I need the proxy to serve the clients through a dail-up, and then disconnect when all the clients have disconnected.(ie not after 60 seconds no activity or etc)

Anyone done this/have a similar setup??Maybe that'll help all who posted here??

Many thanks
Andre

[RED Hot Machine]

There are a few programs that will do what you want. If you are going to be using a windows based os on your server then you can use ICS. I've use a proxy called proxy plus (http://www.proxyplus.cz/) , this allows you to set up auto connect and disconnect.

I've had a machine running linux connect to proxy plus running under on a windows machine.

[RED Hot Machine]

Originally posted by lennytiger
I think routers are the best bet but does this mean I have to have a constantly connected ISDN line??

Also the only thing that puts me off now is the price best get saving!!

cheers

lenny

Lenny, you can get ISDN routers that will connect and disconnect on demand, so you do not have to have ISDN constantly connected.