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Thread ID: 90344 2008-05-31 05:29:00 About to get broadband yay! What hardware is best for my setup? Chikara (5139) Press F1
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674200 2008-05-31 05:29:00 Hi again
I’m able to work from home a lot more than I used to. When I do, I need to be connected online to work quite a bit, but I don’t want to tie up the phone line. So at last, I’m taking the plunge and getting broadband! Yay. I’ve already signed up with Xnet and am just waiting confirmation that it’s all set up. Once they have, I need to purchase the relevant hardware myself. That’s where my question comes in.

In the house there are 3 (sometimes 4) different computers, and I’d like all 4 of them to be able to share the connection. They don’t all have to be online at the same time, but if they can be then great.

What hardware setup should I get, so I can do this? Most of the computers are pretty modern apart from my desktop which is an old Athlon 1400 running XP Pro and 512MB RAM. (I’ve just posted another post (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz)about it, where I’m having problems with it recognising a hi-speed USB device, it only connects at a lower speed USB connection even though I think there are USB 2.0 ports on it).

I assume that whatever hardware I need, would connect to my PC via USB? Does it need to have a hi speed USB 2.0 port, or is it fine with USB 1.0 (or 1.1)? Any advice about what hardware I need, would be appreciated.

Thanks! 		Chikara (5139)
674201 2008-05-31 05:33:00 You can get ADSL routers that have 4 network ports on them.
One of those would be perfect for you.
Linksys would be my first preference but never had a problem with Belkin.

Of cause that means that each machine will need to have a network card in it.
Most modern machines will have one built into the mainboard but if there isn't a network card only costs about $20 these days. 		CYaBro (73)
674202 2008-05-31 05:35:00 Just as long as they've got an ethernet connection, thats all you need.

Just buy a 4 port modem/router, and if u want wireless, a 4 port wireless modem/router.

Some modems do have USB, you can use, but I dont thnk its as reliable as ethernet 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
674203 2008-05-31 06:17:00 Thanks for the replies.
Nope, my PC doesn't have an ethernet port. (I assume when you say a network card, and an ethernet port, they're exactly the same thing?)

So I guess I just need to purchase a network card from an electronics shop, is it easy enough to install? I think there is a spare slot in the PC, anything else I need toknow/do before installing it? 		Chikara (5139)
674204 2008-05-31 06:23:00 Yup all you need is one of these (www.dse.co.nz)

Or these except this one is also gigabit (www.dse.co.nz)

But if you dont have anything thats gigabit either card will do

Install either in a spare PCI, they may come with drivers, or windows may install them. 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
674205 2008-05-31 08:01:00 (I assume when you say a network card, and an ethernet port, they're exactly the same thing?)

So I guess I just need to purchase a network card

Yes.

Yes.

Easy to put in.

Avoid USB with the internet. 		pctek (84)
674206 2008-05-31 08:22:00 Yup all you need is one of these (www.dse.co.nz)

Or these except this one is also gigabit (www.dse.co.nz)

But if you dont have anything thats gigabit either card will do

Install either in a spare PCI, they may come with drivers, or windows may install them.

Get the Gigabit I have it,its all good with a Cat. 6 cable all from DSE and use ethernet instead of usb,ethernet is better. 		memphis (2869)
674207 2008-05-31 08:26:00 Assuming if the computers are relatively close to each other network cable would be perfect. If not you can consider wireless for those. Routers tend to cater wired and wireless. Nomad (952)
674208 2008-05-31 08:30:00 Get the Gigabit I have it,its all good with a Cat . 6 cable all from DSE and use ethernet instead of usb,ethernet is better .

Dont think it'll make any diff .

The other PC has gigabit lan . But this one doesnt . BUT the cable is Cat6 .

I've even got a Gigabit hub but dont use it . I'm using the router/modem from here to the other PC 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
674209 2008-05-31 09:31:00 Get the Gigabit I have it,its all good with a Cat. 6 cable all from DSE and use ethernet instead of usb,ethernet is better.

If all you are doing is sharing the internet, then Gigabit is somewhat overkill. Also many computers still don't have gigabit controllers on them.. 		Sherman (9181)
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