Connecting DSL modem to a wired home

If you like to do it in a quick and dirty fashion, you can crimp RJ45 connectors onto the ends of your cat.5 cables. Then plug the connectors into your switch. Make sure, you get the right connectors for your type of cable. There are different types of RJ45s for solid and for flexible wires.

For the colors, take a look at this page:

If you prefere a proper solution, get a patch panel, connect your ethernet cables to the patch panel and then connect each port of the patch panel to your switch through a flexible patch cable. Patch panels look like this (first image on page):

Yes, you can do that. Wheter or not it is going to allow simultaneous acces for both computers to the internet depends on your ISP's policy regarding multiple connects over a single DSL-line.

The modem will act as a bridge, so the DSL-line will be transparent for ethernet frames. That means, that all broadcast traffic from your local LAN will appear on the other end of the DSL-line. Some people might regard this as a security issue.

Also, since DSL is much slower than your local LAN, broadcast traffic on the lan could cause some congestion on the uplink part of the DSL-line.

The best way to connect both PCs to the internet at the same time probably is to get a router.

Andreas

Well I am trying to get onto SBC DSL. They seem to say that this will be dynamic IP. Also they seem to talk about some Home Networking kit(which I don't want to buy) because if need be I want to able to switch to cable. Hence I would rather buy a router myself.

So the way it stands saying they will be giving one dynamic IP what are my options.

Sorry I missed on one more detail. If I am getting a RJ45 jack, is there something specific I need to looking for.

Also if the modem gives one dynamic IP, can the switch translate it to two machines connected to the internet.

You need a very common broadband router/firewall. It will talk to the DSL (or cable) modem, serve DHCP to your home machines and do NAT to connect your machines to the internet. The router can also be configured to allow inbound connections, but by default your home network is protected by it's firewall.

-- Robert in Houston

All the above is good advice. You will probably get a SpeedStream 5100B modem from SBC. Good equipment. This is actually a modem and single-port router in one very tiny box. (it has 5 lights... as opposed to 3 which the modem-only

5100 is). The only 'trick' is that when you use a multi-port router, you need to set the modem to be in 'bridge mode.' The modem has a web interface (192.168.0.1) and you config it with a browser when it is connected directly to the computer. Once configed, you than disconnect if from the comptuter and pop it into the router and connect your computer to the router. I have a Linksys 4-port router I got for $50 at Staples. Both the 5100B and router have not had a problem in the 5 months they have been up.

I suggest that you go to

and join the SBC forum and hang there for a while. Also look at the FAQ they have. Ask questions. It's not as complicated as it sounds if you set your computer for DHCP. (I run Slackware Linux so I can't help you as I'm sure you run Windows... but it's easy to set in Windows as well, I just forget where.)

A. Canton __________________________________________________________ Adams-Blake Company, Inc.

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I will pass in deference to those who know more.

No. The switch doesn't handle IP address assignment. That is why you were told that you need a router. If you can convince SBC to send you just the modem (I think they use Efficient modems; as a noun (brand name), not an adjective), go that route. You can buy a broadband router at a local electronics store, and it will work whether it connects to a cable modem, or a DSL modem.

Might want to check the fine print; when I hooked up the router (a Cayman 3546) was free and impressively sophisticated. So far the only downside is a 200+ page manual and no help from SBC tech support. The Cayman uses a web interface which is really impressive.

However, my Static-S package _required_ a tech visit for $250. The tech got the router working in about five minutes, which seems like a really lousy deal until one appreciates how much uncertainty it removed. I _knew_ the dsl line and router both worked, all I had to do was get the config right. That's hard, but much easier than verifying the link works.

If you're a Mac/Windows user they'll include software help with the install. I'm a FreeBSD user, so it was slightly harder and the help of the installation tech was valuable.

hth,

bob prohaska

An SBC-ASI tech left one for an overnight test; he just wanted to verify that my Westell Wirespeed wasn't dying. I wasn't impressed at all. The Cayman wasn't nearly as capable as my aging $60 SMC Barricade 7004BR (which is now obsolete).

As a no-cost deal the 3546 struck me as fairly decent; I'm new to DSL and compared to a pair of USR Sportsters it was nothing short of amazing.

8-)

bob prohaska