optusnet cable networking help

[Stu]

Does anyone else have optusnet cable connected to more than one PC? If so how did you to it?

I tried linking the two PC's via LAN cable but as soon as I enter an IP address on the net PC, the broadband stops working. The modem is connected to the PC by USB but seems to be using the network drivers to connect. In IE the connection is stated as via LAN, but the RJ45 port on the PC is not being used. Will I have to get another network card so I don't interfere with the modem drivers?
:help:

[Dennis]

Not sure that this helps you directly, but I use a Linksys WRTG54 router. The cable modem plugs into the back of the router. My Desktop and Notebook computers are connected to the Router via cat 5 cable and everything works fine. The Notebook computer does not require the Desktop to be powered on; it can access the internet independently due to the Router.

When I was on Win 98, and before I discovered Routers, I used to use a Windows feature called internet connection sharing which had my Desktop connected to the dial up modem and the notebook then "passed through" the desktop and accessed the internet. I'm not sure if XP has this?

I'm not a computer whiz and I was able to set up the Router just by following the manual.

Good luck!

Dennis

[acropolite]

If you've got XP just use internet connection sharing, it's part of XP. Feed the rest of the Lan from the ethernet port via a switch if necessary.

[Stu]

Thanks guys. I went out and bought a router. It turns out that the main PC that we use had the ethernet connection swithed off in BIOS. The cable modem driver had me confused because it said that the connection was via DHCP, but it turned out to be it's own driver doing the work via USB.

Anyway...the router is doing it's stuff now!
Woo hoo!

[Dennis]

That's good news - it's always a nice feeling when something works! The router will also act as a hardware firewall which should enhance your internet security. I also run Symantec (Norton) Internet Security which combines their Anti-Virus and Firewall programs. I wanted the NIS software Firewall so I could control what applications are allowed to "contact" the outside world.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

By the way, if your Router is a Wireless Router, don't forget to:

Disable SSID broadcast
Change the default SSID name
Enable MAC address filtering
Limit the DHCP addresses to the number of devices you have
Turn on WEP or WPA encryption if going wireless

Or, disable wireless mode completely if you are running a wired network

Cheers

Dennis

[Howzat]

You missed the most important one Dennis ;)

Change the default password