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Thread ID: 75790	2007-01-10 06:32:00	A newbie needs help networking Telstra Clear cable...	NZMacka (11756)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
514644	2007-01-10 06:32:00	Hiya giys, I am a long time lurker here, and have always found this site to be an excellent resource . Today I had Telstra Clear install a new broadband connection into my house . I was using a Telecom (Xtra) DLink 4Port router to connect my 3 PC's via a small Cat5E network to the internet . This was all working OK and was easily setup by a novice like me . However, I had a bad experience with Telecom and that was enough (along with the avergae connection speeds) to make the switch . However, I understand that to share my new Telstra cable modem internet connectivity with my 3 PC's that I will need to buy an additional router . . . this is getting a little above my level of expertise!! So . . . Can you guys recommend a router brand and type that will allow 3-4 PC's to be connected and provide a reasonable level of protection to my little home network? Also, it would be good if it did'nt break the bank, as I need to justify all cost to the wife!!:stare: And . . . hopefully its easy to install and configure!!! If you guys have any recomendations or experiences on how you have setup your Telstra Clear internet connection, that would be fantastic . . . looking forward to hearing from you all!!:help:	NZMacka (11756)
514645	2007-01-10 07:07:00	NZMacka, welcome to the forum I have a Telstra cable and run a LAN with 3 Win XP desktops, a Win XP Notebook, and a Linux desktop . The configuration is pretty simple: Telstra Modem => D-Link DI-704UP Router => 3 PCs upstairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | Ethernet cable in walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linux m/c . . . . . . . Notebook The router was cheap from DSE (~$100), but I would not recommend the D-Link because it loses its marbles every now and then and I have to switch it off and on . I don't know if other brands are more reliable . Actually, the switch was more expensive than the router - I don't understand why . Once you have the hardware wired up, you need to configure the router from one of the PCs using a web browser . Then, Win XP will network the PCs for you . The only trouble you're likely to have is if you have firewalls installed . You'll need to configure each of them to pass the other computers . To start with, it's a good idea to turn the firewalls off until you get the LAN working - actually you don't need a firewall for incoming stuff because the router provides a hardware firewall for you . I thought there would be a hassle with the Linux m/c, but Samba sorted it out without me touching anything, so I can access the Win XP m/cs from Linux with no sweat . Also the printer which is attached to one of the Win XP m/c . Hope that helps .	TideMan (4279)
514646	2007-01-10 07:12:00	You do not need to buy a cable router. Your current cable modem connects to one of your PC's via USB or a Network cable (into a second network adaptor). If the PC it is connected to is running preferably Windows XP you can enable "Internet connection sharing" which works like a treat, I actually do this with my TC cable. The down side is that main machine has to be turned on as it is then acting like a server to the other Two PC's. One last comment, you need to be running a software firewall as your current cable modem has no type of hardware firewall built in what so ever. Sorry I have to add, I am assuming you have the 3 PC's networked already using a switch.	Master_Frost (9951)
514647	2007-01-10 07:29:00	I used to have my set-up like that described by Master Frost, but I changed it so that I got a hardware firewall using an NAT router. It's much safer. One thing he didn't point out is that you need two network cards in the machine that is connected to the cable modem. One for the modem and the other to a switch and thence by Ethernet to the other machines. IMHO, the router is the better option. Note: it has to be a DSL/Cable router.	TideMan (4279)
514648	2007-01-10 07:44:00	I used to have my set-up like that described by Master Frost, but I changed it so that I got a hardware firewall using an NAT router. It's much safer. One thing he didn't point out is that you need two network cards in the machine that is connected to the cable modem. One for the modem and the other to a switch and thence by Ethernet to the other machines. IMHO, the router is the better option. Note: it has to be a DSL/Cable router. eer safer. you do realise ICS uses Nat A PC behind a secure well configured software firewall (my case Outpost) which is then behind a Nat, how "safe" do you want lol, I suppose if I was Norad...... Actually you don't need a second network card, many use the Motorolla modem via USB. Personally I already had a 2nd card kicking around, don't like the idea of USB although I know a guy that uses it and I can't see a diff. The Hardware router is a cleaner solution for many people I will agree.	Master_Frost (9951)
514649	2007-01-10 07:56:00	Hi Guys, Firstly thanks heaps for the advice, all of it is fantastic . I think I will go for the hardware router option, as I can then install that in my network cabinet beside my new cable modem . . . OK . . so I like all the lights!:) :) Do you guys have any preferences on actual routers? In other words, do some work bettert han others, or are some easier to set up and configure with the Telstra network than others? Also, who are good suppliers in the Wellington region apart from DSE?:eek: With regards to using the USB port on the Motorola . . . I used to use my DLink ADSL Router to feed internet connectivity to my laptop and PC . . . . one used the ethernet port, the laptop used USB . . . this worked well, however, I have been unable to get the Mototola to work in this way . Also, after reading all the advice on here about my IP address being open to the world on the Telstra network, I am thinking it would be much better to get the PC's behind a physical firewall ASAP . FYI - all my PC's are networked via a DLINK 5 port switch . :thumbs:	NZMacka (11756)
514650	2007-01-10 08:08:00	Ascent have some DSL/Cable routers: www.ascent.co.nz	Terry Porritt (14)
514651	2007-01-10 09:23:00	A good store is ascent.co.nz. I bought on Thurs before Xmas and got my gear on Fri and Sat. Wifi gears and a line filter that came a day earlier. Credit card online. Free courier. If you are looking for a cable modem included with router, not sure if you can do that or obtain in NZ b/c I heard that Telstra does not allow you do that so you must use their modem. I read about a Linksys WCC54 which is a wireless router with builtin cable modem and it said for preparation u need to contact the ISP for MAC filtering, u need to tell them with MAC address you have. Anyway AFAIK you cannot use your own cable modem, not sure if they are avail in NZ anyway. For your setup. You plug the modem into the router. I cannot get Telstra, does the modem u have allow USB and Ethernet? Because be careful, look for a router that has a USB if you modem is not Ethernet capable. Basically you plug it in, the modem into router. How you spread your connection around depends on the router, some router are Ethernet and/or Wireless. I am not too sure if there is a router that has USB. What is the layout of your little network, how are they gonna be connected by of your 4 computers? To my knowledge the router is pretty simple like ADSL, all you do is plug the modem into the WLAN plug, not sure how one sets up the modem on Telstra but the firewall part is the same as the ADSL ones, enable firewall, enable WEP or WPA and MAC filtering if you like and if you wanna delist your SSID, change your admin login name and password. You go into the same way as the the ADSL ... typing a IP address in the web browser.	Nomad (952)
514652	2007-01-10 09:35:00	I would be inclined to get a modem off Telstra that has a Ethernet plug, AFAIK the routers these days either have ADSL builtin or else its a plain router w/o a modem but the input for the modem is generally a RJ45 network plug (not a USB). So you can plug in either a ADSL or Cable modem using a network cable. Some modems have both a USB and Network - I would get that.	Nomad (952)
514653	2007-01-10 09:50:00	Like Master Frost said, if you have a modem that is only USB and your router does not support USB for the modem . Then that computer must be turned on before the others can go online . Because its not eternet u cannot plug it into the router before it can be shared for others . So what you are doing is modem plugs into the computer USB and it uses its network card plugged to router to share it w/ others . Obviously if that computer is off the modem is dead as the modem is not independent of the computer . The modem is not connected to the router, its connected to a computer, if the computer is dead then the modem is dead hence no connection unless that computer is turned on as well . Not sure if you can get a USB connection for the modem on router . Not sure but I think its possible that u can get a USB connection on the router to share with another computer . If you talk about a firewall, pref the firewall is before the modem so its protected . But you need a compatible modem into the router . If its not then the first PC is unprotected with firewall .	Nomad (952)
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