On Thu, 2007-07-05 at 22:22 +0100, Paul Smith wrote: > On 7/5/07, Rick Stevens <rstevens@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > > > > I have a cable-based (not optic) modem/router to connect to the > > > > > Internet (ADSL), which works fine. However, a friend comes in from > > > > > time to time, bringing her laptop. Is there some cheap and easy way of > > > > > letting her laptop to connect to Internet? Unfortunately, I cannot see > > > > > any place in the modem/router to connect an extra cable... > > > > > > > > Do you have a router installed, or are you connecting your computer > > > > directly to the DSL modem? The two are usually separate devices, with > > > > the router sitting between the modem and the computer. Routers > > > > generally have at least 4 network jacks. The one I use at home is a > > > > wireless router as well, which is much more convenient for laptops. > > > > > > Thanks, Sultan Saini. I am connecting my computer directly to the DLS > > > modem (provided by my ISP). I think my DLS model is also a router, as > > > its configuration is done through a web interface. > > > > Your modem contains a router. ADSL needs that. The question is, > > how does your computer plug into the modem? If it uses an RJ45 > > connector (a cable that looks like the cord you use to plug your phone > > into the wall--but with 8 pins rather than 4), then the easiest way to > > do it is: > > > > ADSL line <--> existing modem <--> switch <--> computer > > <--> 2nd computer > > <--> 3rd computer > > > > The "switch" is an item you can buy for $20 US at most stores. Many > > companies actually make an ADSL modem/router/switch/WAN access point > > combo box. > > > > For example, D-Link's DSL-2640B is an ADSL modem, router/firewall, > > 4-port gigabit switch and 802.11g wireless access point. The URL is > > http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=567. Other companies (Airlink, > > Cisco, etc.) make similar beasties. > > > > One of these should be enough for you to do full-up networking at home. > > If you're unfamiliar with wireless networking, make sure you set the > > ESSID and WEP key or WPA passphrases to something other than the default > > so other wireless users can't hijack your bandwidth. I even go so far > > as to not have the wireless stuff broadcast the ESSID. If you don't > > know my ESSID, you can't find it. Just because I'm paranoid doesn't > > mean they aren't out to get me! > > Thanks, Rick and all other respondents. Yes, my DSL modem connects to > my computer by using an RJ45 connector. The shopkeeper where I went to > buy a switch claims that the switch may not work and that I should > instead buy a router. So, I would like to ask you whether it is really > as he claims. It is possible. It depends on whether your modem can accept multiple connections. In other words, some modems are simply point-to-point and some have a router built in. If you have a point-to-point modem, no adding a switch won't work. That's why I recommended the D-Link unit. It has everything you could want in a single box (modem, router, firewall, switch, DHCP server and wireless access point). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - Rick Stevens, Principal Engineer rstevens@xxxxxxxxxxxx - - VitalStream, Inc. http://www.vitalstream.com - - - - Time: Nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
