Helpful tips for home networking

[rugby]

I'm writing this as a sort of mini-guide to help people out here in the Internet/Networking forum.

I have seen lots of posts regarding sharing Internet connections in their home. I have written this up to help people so they don't have to keep asking the same questions as people have before them. Don't fret, we've all been newbies before so it's no biggie.

Now, you've got your connection, whether it's cable or DSL or whatever. There are some differences you should note.

Cable is a shared medium, meaning you share your connection with your neighbors. You are basically one port of a switch so ANY traffic, even to another computer in your home that has another IP address, goes to your cable ISP and back before going to your other computer.

DSL is not a shared medium. You DSL modem is a router that works entirely different than a cable modem. If you have multiple IP address from your DSL provider the modem will route between your computers more efficiently and you will have pretty good speed.

Commercial routers- Linksys, D-link, SMC these are a few of the companies out there making commercial routers/switches. I personally have a D-link but I bought it at a time when prices were MUCH higher than they are now and this one was cheaper than the rest. I would recommend any one of the products by these companies.

The router's job is to route traffic. Duh, right? Anyways, when you put your router between your computer(s) and the modem it can do many useful things. Here are some of them

NAT(Network Address Translation)-basically taking the IP address your cable/dsl modem gives out and translating it to private addresses so you can hook up multiple computers and share an address. This is very useful for home networks and we even use this technology at my school district here. Now, the IP address your computer is using now is what's known as a private address. We'll get to that later.

DHCP server-You can have your router give out IP addresses to computers that are hooked up to it and then booted up. Very handy for quick setup although I am a fan of static addressing in the long run, and you'll see why in a second.

DMZ zone-This enables your router to forward any and all traffic to a single IP address. This requires static addressing so you're not forwarding to an invalid IP address.

Port mapping-This is like a DMZ zone but more controlled. You can enable only certain ports (ftp, http, telnet, SSH) to certain IP addresses inside your network. Again, static addressing is needed so as to not forward traffic to computers that are not there.

Setup on these routers is fairly straight forward. You take the cable provided by the router (usually in the box) and plug the router into the LAN port on your cable/dsl modem. You then plug straight-through ethernet (regular old cat-5) cable from the computers to the switch ports on the router. Reboot or startup the cable/dsl modem, start up the router, start up the computers and you should be good to go.

This is the easiest way to share a home network connection IMO. Sure you can set up a windows PC with ICS installed and configured to be a mini-router. You can also set up your own router using Linux, but you have to keep these computers on 24/7 and if you need for any reason to shut them down or restart then the rest of your computers will lose their connections to the Internet.

I hope I’ve made home networking a bit easier and haven’t overwhelmed anyone here. If you have any further questions feel free to post here or PM me. Thanks.

[RED Hot Machine]

Good Guide, I wonder if one off the Mod's could make it a sticky:D

[Newbie_Doo]

Done. Happy to oblige.

BTW, I have the Netgear router (RT314) and it works fine too. :)

Anthony

[hkgonra]

I'm assuming since the netgear hub is a four-port, that your Internet connection takes a port and you can hook three pc's up to it?

[rugby]

Nope. when it says it has a 4-port switch it means you can hook up 4 devices to it and still have your wan port.

[!-=sky=-!]

wow
this is a great guide
explains bacially everything
thx

[UnseenMenace]

I have the Netgear RO318 and would reccomend it.. ( 8 Port )

[Amedeo602]

methinks this should be in the networking FAQ


great newbie guide rugby :)

[Zeke009]

I would never use or recommend using M$ Internet Connection Sharing, I had it installed and it died every 2 weeks. All I had to do was look at my calendar next to my desk at home and I knew that ICS was going down on what day and about what time. I could never figure that out.... it was every 2 weeks on the button.

Then I picked up a LinkSys 5 port 10/100 hub and plugged the cable modem in the uplink and used ports 2 and 4 for my 2 machines. Cable company never caught the 2nd ip address... they had other issues to deal with. It seemed only a small portion of their country wide service was reliable... and I was in it.:D

Never have had a problem with hackers, trojans, or worms. Both machines have some sort of security installed. As always, somewhere somehow someone will get hit with one of the above, just make sure you have your AV always up to date!

[JetMech]

I came here looking for a way to rig my PCs so they can up and download fold without me and BAM! Thanks Rugby. Good lookin out.:)

[Ottoman]

I've got Rogers@home cable service (canada)

and they have been giving me hell, caused so much trouble...

[hkgonra]

I got the linksys BEFSR41. I am very pleased with it.

BTW, since I hooked it up I haven't been getting any alerts on my zonealarm. I used to get hit 30-40 times a day, I guess the router catches it all now.

[Joeteck]

Originally posted by hkgonra
I got the linksys BEFSR41. I am very pleased with it.

BTW, since I hooked it up I haven't been getting any alerts on my zonealarm. I used to get hit 30-40 times a day, I guess the router catches it all now.

Your Cable/DSL router acts as a firewall in a matter of speaking. Your internal addresses are non-routable and can not be reached unless open up a port with an intenal IP address.

I use the 4-port Asante Cable/DSL router. And I love it.

The linksys by default allows anyone, even outside people to attach & administer the router. If you have not done so already, CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD. I've already connected to a few Linksys routers out there that still have the default username & password. Shame on you!

The info about Cable vs DSL is incorrect. What I think he ment to say was ADSL. but I would still go with Cable. Because its still faster even though it is shared.

There are MANY types of DSL out there. The most common is ADSL which has a downsteam of 256kbps to 640Kbps. the upsteam is 90kbps. Now, how can you compare this to cable is beyond me. Cable (Optimum online in NY) is up to 40Mbit download and up to 1Mbit upload. Cable solution is 29.95 a month (if you have cable to the house) if not it's 39.95 a month, and ADSL is 39.95 a month. Now which would you go?

- Joeteck:p

[hkgonra]

I have cable (roadrunner) and I love it , the slowest speed I have ever seen when I test bandwidth is 1928 that rocks!!!!!

However the pricing is higher, it is 45.99 a month if you have cable $60 if you don't, DSL around here is $45.

[Speed_Freak]

1928? thats awesome

[hkgonra]

I know , I love it, and that is the slowest I've seen.

I have seen my download ticker (I'm not sure what you call it) go above 1mb per second. Granted it is usually in the 150 -250 range , but when it gets above 1mb it REALYY ROCKS!!!!!!

[Oni]

Originally posted by Ottoman
I've got Rogers@home cable service (canada)

and they have been giving me hell, caused so much trouble...

I have Cogeco@Home (Canada). I love it. I havn't had ANY problems w/ it! My modem goes down now and then, but its very brief when that happens, and it only happens rarely.

[jeff_harrison_344]

great guide...what about wireless networking?

[rugby]

Wireless networking?

802.11b=11mb/sec
802.11a=54mb/sec - not compatible with 802.11b
802.11g (coming soon)54mb/sec - backward compatible with 802.11b

For internet wireless rocks, unless you've got faster than an 11mb/sec connection.:eek:

For transferring files it sucks. I take my laptop off wireless at work when transferring large amounts of data because it's so slow compared to 100mb switches.

[Gandalf]

Thankyou for the guide!
This answered many of my questions!

[mbigna]

OK--I'm looking forward to getting my new DSL in about a month. I'm planning on getting SDSL 768/768 service. I will have several computers hooked up. Right now, they are all networked together with a basic 10/100 hub (all the rigs have 10/100 cards in 'em). I'm planning on purchasing a DSL router. I won't need many ports on the router because the hub handles all the rigs, though the extra ports will allow me to string some extra ethernet ports to other rooms in the house.

My main concern (heh, more important than work IMO), is that I plan to have a friend (or two...) come over on occasion to play a little UT ONLINE. I have been reading about assorted problems with more than one PC connected to the internet on the same IP trying to play on the same server. Would I be better served with a particular router? Or, do I need to ask for separate IP's? Has anyone had any success with this sort of thing?

[e_storm]

Originally posted by hkgonra
I have cable (roadrunner) and I love it , the slowest speed I have ever seen when I test bandwidth is 1928 that rocks!!!!!

However the pricing is higher, it is 45.99 a month if you have cable $60 if you don't, DSL around here is $45.

That speed rocks! I also got very lucky with my cable. Before Excite went bankrupt, I remember always getting 2.78M download, but only like 78 or so upload. I could download HUGE files in seconds.

I've only tested a few times since the new network from ATT went up, but now its still like 1.2M down and around 100 up. Still not too bad.

[Fightingpiper]

FYI- if any of you need help with a linksys router I would be happy to help. Ive gotten to know it pretty well while setting up my CS server. Just PM me if you need any help.

Cheers!

[cam fortner]

i would really suggest the Linksys 4 port router, it is truly plug and play, it automatically detects all the MAC addresses, and all you have to do is configure it using a webpage, it took me less than 5 minutes to network my friends 4 computers (1 XP, 2 win98, 1 win2k) easiest thing i've ever done.

this is definately a router you'd wanna take to a LAN party, very little work required.

and it's only like $80 if u know when to buy it.

[Mi6]

Hey all i have a question =p

i have my main pc with Internet(Cable). I want to hook up internet with my ServerPc. My ISP will not let me have more then 1 ip coming from a CableLine or i will get baned...the 1st time i hade a network i just got 3 D-Link's and a CrossOverWire and VOLA! it works (also use a nice proggy to make the share) but that means my main pc would have to be 24/7 thats ok....but not all the time...so i never used a router and have read about it....and just wanted to kno if i get a ROuter i will have one IP for the 2 pc's right? ok but unlike the network i hade..i could not get files on the 2nd pc =( .
I hade to map my ports...i did not kno that at 1st...anyhow i just wanted to kno if i get a Router all i do is PLus in the MODEM...to the router then the router to the 2 pc's? and it will map my ports and i will only have 1 ip?


im not sure if u all get this but...im not sure if i get it myself
if u do understand great what Router would u recamend? the 2nd pc is on a *nix platforme and hes gona be the web/game server.....if that mathers

:beer: Well thx for all the help im sure im gona get =) chowchow
M|6

[Fightingpiper]

Hey Mi6

A router will do exactly what you want it to. What it does is lets you use 1 IP address for all your computers. It does this by assigning LAN IP's to each of your computers on your network and then converts them to the WAN IP when accessing the net. It also provides a nice firewall. If you want to share files all you have to do is enable the file and print sharing options in windows and its as easy as that. i to recommend the Linksys router which is fairely easy to set up and Ive got a CS server running off of it.

[Mi6]

Originally posted by Fightingpiper
Hey Mi6

A router will do exactly what you want it to. What it does is lets you use 1 IP address for all your computers. It does this by assigning LAN IP's to each of your computers on your network and then converts them to the WAN IP when accessing the net. It also provides a nice firewall. If you want to share files all you have to do is enable the file and print sharing options in windows and its as easy as that. i to recommend the Linksys router which is fairely easy to set up and Ive got a CS server running off of it.


Wow ok well actualy thats what i want to run a CS server =)
but what model of the Linksys router should i get?



-ps-
Can u tell me a good URL for Linux CS server's Mods/help/howto's
Thx allot =)

M|6

[Fightingpiper]

I also have the linksys 4 port router (BEFSR41) and highly recommend it. My friend has a D-link and is also very happy with his. It looks like your in canada so I would go with the cheapest one you can find since its going to be pretty expensive. We can get the Linksys here in the U.S. for about $80. My friend got his D-link at Best Buy for only $30-great deal. I also suggest getting a 4 port so you can always add more computers or have some friends over for a little LAN party.

BTW here is the site that I used to get started with my server and its very helpful.
http://server.counter-strike.net/howto.html#require

Ive got windows but I think it has some tools for linux.

[Fightingpiper]

let me know if you get the linksys and I would be glad to help you configure it-just PM me.

[Mi6]

Ok i will be sure to the linksys 4 port router (BEFSR41) or a model thats close or bether =P thc allot man =)

[Malpine Walis]

There are MANY types of DSL out there. The most common is ADSL which has a downstream of 256kbps to 640Kbps. the upstream is 90kbps. Now, how can you compare this to cable is beyond me. Cable (Optimum online in NY) is up to 40Mbit download and up to 1Mbit upload. Cable solution is 29.95 a month (if you have cable to the house) if not it's 39.95 a month, and ADSL is 39.95 a month. Now which would you go?

Different situations require different solutions. Before I had DSL, I was using my local telco as my ISP.

In my area, DSL is $40/month and Cable is $40/month. But my ISP gives me free dial in access with DSL (which I was paying for already). So my phone bill only went up by $20/month. And I can use the dial in at work.

Since we have Compus**t at work, when one person is online, nobody else can be online...except for me.:D :D :D

Edit: Also, I have tried using my brother's cable modem when at his house. At 7:00 pm local time (Friday evening), the shared connection is so slow that it is impossible to download anything.

When you hear about how many zillions of MB/sec cable is theoretically capable of, ask if that is sustained transfer or only the "high water" mark. Assuming that you get an accurate answer, it may be the answer which is accurate at 4:00 am on Sunday.

Having 5X times the bandwidth but sharing it with 10 people means that you get 1/2 the actual bandwidth. Approximately speaking.

There are other variables in this equation. For example, not every one is downloading at the same time but your cable connection may be shared by 500 households, using God knows how many computers.

I have personally seen cable bandwidth drop to 1/10 of what can be had by a modem. With DSL, you may not get the highest highs but you get the same speed all the time.

[Mi6]

ah ic well i wanted to get ADSL were im from ADSL is up2 DL:1.5mb/s Up:800+k/s for 80$Can and Cable is Dl:300kb/s Up:30kb/s for $50Can so u see the dif in price but i want to run a Home Server for Webpages/CS Server and more like Big file serving i move files allot on the net so i need a good upload =)


thx for the help its was realy good =)~

M|6

[shadowdr]

so i am gathering i could get a router hook it up to 1 pc and have a firewall?

sounds silly but i get almost 100 hits a day,most the nimda virus and really dont want a virus.sounds cheaper than a 30 a year firewall program.

oh i have cable and it rocks.im not sure of the speed but my longest download was less than 3 minutes!

[Mi6]

Originally posted by shadowdr
so i am gathering i could get a router hook it up to 1 pc and have a firewall?

sounds silly but i get almost 100 hits a day,most the nimda virus and really dont want a virus.sounds cheaper than a 30 a year firewall program.

oh i have cable and it rocks.im not sure of the speed but my longest download was less than 3 minutes!



Hehe you should trie Downloding what i do in 3m =p

[bigfoot]

I'v downloaded 1.5 Gig Mpeg movies from file sharing places and when I can grab 10 or so brodband users, I'v had 2-3Mbps with my cable and I LOVE it. 1.5Gig's in less than an hour is awsome.

P.S. Thats at 1AM though:D

[Arkaine23]

What's a good benchmark for network connections/testing bandwidth? I just got some registry patches from speedguide.net to optimize webbrowsing, etc. and now I wanna see where my system is at compared to my roommate.

Roadrunner, Linksys 4 port router w/ 3 computers hooked up

[hkgonra]

http://www.speakeasy.net/main.php?page=sup_pops

[smash]

Not to bad of a guide, but what about us STILL on dial up??
Sorry but I've priced dialup routers$$$. To D#mn expensive.
Could buy a cheap comp. to use as a router. I have two computers on my network.