Connection sharing..

[SpaghettiHoops]

Before I ask my question I have looked at the beginers guide to internet sharing ;) but im not quite 100% about it.Anyway my housemate is buying a computer and wants to share my internet connection(ADSL),what would be the best way to go about it?Ive got Win XP and he's gonna have Win98.I was thinking of using a router,but I know little about them.Will it require a seperate power supply?Also someone told me to make sure I get one with an ADSL modem already fitted.If were both online at the same time will our upload/download rates be effectively halved?Cheers in advance for any help or advice you can give.

[PCgeek]

well I think any router will do. If you have a router with an integrated hub then the speeds will be pretty much halved, if you get a router with an integrated switch then it will regulate the speeds depending on who's using more of it. The OS difference wont be a problem, at work we got the server running NT, 2 PC's running 2000, 3 with XP and 1 with 98 ;) If all u wanna do is share the internet connection then it should pretty much set itself up automatically agter u plug it in. If u wanna do file and printer sharing then u gotta spend a lil more time setting it up

[SpaghettiHoops]

Cheers for the reply!So I need to get a router with an integrated switch.Any recomendations? So will my house mate need to buy a seperate ADSL modem or do we connect both comps to the router and that in turn is connected to a single ADSL modem which is connected to phone socket?Thanks again :) By the way it will only be for internet connection not for file sharing etc.

[zelse81]

No, the configuration is usually Phone Socket (ADSL jack)->Router, Router->Comp1/Comp2. No extra modem required -- or at least that's how every ADSL/Cable hub and/or router setup I've seen has been.

[PCgeek]

yep it modem > router > PCs ;) all u need to do is plug it in ;) and maybe on the win 98 system install the TCP IP protocol, but it should be installed already, the winXP system should be automatic

[Doc Timbo]

if your current ADSL modem is a USB affair you probably cant use it with a router as they use RJ45 connectors (and ethernet?) mostly..... but you will probably find a 2/3/4/5 port switch router with a DSL modem all in one small device. Make sure it supports PPPoE or PPPoA (ask your ISP which they use)... and you will probably find your old USB modem useless.
If you need file sharing later...when u run the network setup on the XP machine....it gives you the option to make a floppy to put in all the 89/ME machines to configure them to the XP machine... all should work fine after that

[SpaghettiHoops]

Cheers for the replies! So Doc I will need a router with a ADSL modem fitted?
My current ADSL modem is an Alcatel speedtouch 330-Protocol support-Bridging,Embedded PPPoA,Embedded PPPoE.Make any sense?K just searched the web for some more advice,and it seems Im gonna have to buy some Networking cards too.Also it seems that im gonna have to use a router due to the fact that both computers wont be on at the same time.Is this correct?

[Doc Timbo]

yes, if you want the PC's to be independant you need a DSL modem which isn't USB powered and which you can access through your browser or telnet... so u can add your ISP login information. I just got my Prestige 645R WEB set up so I have proper hands-on experience now. Your speedtouch and your winXP could get together and run ICS and a form of NAT...but getting a DSL router is much better all round, though initial setting up might be trickier. Many motherboards have LAN onboard....so check this before you buy network cards....but 10/100 cards should only be £10 each these days. I have a 5-port switch which uplinks to the router, but the most economical way will be to buy a DSL router with a switch in it already... you need a 2-port switch in the router or more. 3 or 4 ports may make it handy in future... laptops...LAN parties etc. Happy networking :-)

[SpaghettiHoops]

Your a star Doc! Both computers have a LAN connection already so I only need a router I guess! Thanks again Doc! ;)