Need Help With This....

[Ms_Lamborghini]

Hello strangers

I need your brains on this.

Here's the scoop....

I have a computer and I use comcast to connect to the net.
My son wants to use his computer in his office while I use mine in my office.
We both want to go online at the same time... my questions are..

Q) What do I need for my son to get online from his computer (same house as me)?

Q) Is it even possible for both of us to be online at the same time (same comcast account)?

Q) What would I need for my son's computer to be able to access the net like I do? (he has a laptop & I do have cable in every room in my house)

Thanks so much beautiful ppl

ML

[Ron]

You need a "router". You will connect the comcast cable modem to the router, and then you will connect your computer to the router and your son's computer to the router.

If the rooms are close by, the router can be a wired router. If the rooms are too far apart to reach with a wire easily, you could use a wireless router. Most wireless routers also have hard-wired ports, so only 1 computer would also need a special card for wireless connections.

I don't know what is available where you are, but the standard here is 802.11g. Perhaps you can ask for help from this point at a retail store near you.

[Vin DSL]

Um...

I'm NOT trolling, but if you've never setup a LAN before, you're going to get into trouble quickly, especially if you try tackling wireless! Take my word on this...

If I was you, I'd dial rent-a-nerd: http://homenetworking.comcast.net/

[Ron]

All wireless access points come with WEP turned off by default for simple and smooth connectivity.


Hey, I ALMOST kept a straight face....

But seriously, Vin's right. Start at the store, find out what they suggest, then go find a 15 year old kid from the local school to help you do it.

[jason]

I had no troble getting my router set up with out even reading the manual--I even changed the SSID and activated MAC address blocking and WEP encryption. It all seemed very straightforward...oh, wait...I have a degree in that stuff.

Seriously, the wireless routers you buy these days are designed to be easy to set up, but they come factory set to the bare-minimum so that any wireless card can connect without a problem. Once you get a wireless network running, you should lock it down by setting access controls and encryption to prevent you neighbors from accessing your network connection and "sniffing" the data you send on it. Believe it or not, but there are people who drive around cities with laptops looking for unsecured hotspots that they can use for illicit purposes.

As other have said, if you don't understand this stuff, its best to hire someone who does--it will probably take someone with experience about an hour or lesss to get you up and running. Most of the big box technology stores offer home installation services (for a price). You might also want to check with Comcast--they might be able to give (rent) you a cable modem with a built-in wireless router. I don't know Comcast's policies, but my local Time Warner Cable service will do the installation for free if you order the router from them.

--Jason

[Gwaihir]

Like the others say: if you want to keep this do it yourself, you want a wired solution. If you go for wireless, have someone set it up for you, as it is just a bitch to get it going in a secure way without any knowledge of it or computer savvyness.

You spoke of a laptop, so possibly you could take it to the store and have them set up the wireless connection between the laptop an your new access point for you. Don't expect that to be free, but it could be cost effective. Once back home it isn't that hard to connect the access point to your computer and the cable modem. Note that you need an access point for this that has at least one (extra) wired port (i.e. a built in switch).

Note that all this assumes the cable modem already connects to your pc via ethernet (not USB). If you're not sure, you could take the cable that connects cable modem and computer with you and show it at the store.

[Jaded]

Most routers come with easy to understand instructions. Setting up a wired router is much easier and doesn't require the added steps of wireless security setup.

The laptop may not be able to use the latest encryption protocols OR may not even have a wireless capability without the addition of a wireless card.

Belkin and Linksys make good, inexpensive routers and both come with simple directions.

If you do decide to go wireless for the laptop, don't install the vendor's software. Let Windows do the work.

Additional help with setting up wireless security is readily available online...just google it.

[Vin DSL]

Building a LAN isn't all that hard, but designing a GOOD topology takes a little thought...

I've been doing this stuff a LONG time! When I built my first LAN, I decided to use Ethernet and everyone thought I was crazy. Coaxial LAN connections were the rage... they were cheaper, worked better, and required less setup, supposedly... now it's wireless! IMHO, wired Ethernet is still the way to go!

Personally, I setup my LANs so each node has its' own unique IP - different sub-nets depending on if they're sharing printers, files, need a (web) gateway, and so forth. It requires a few extra steps, but saves you a lot of grief in the long-run, adds security, yada, yada, yada. Remember, I'm running web/game servers, here at the house, so this requires DMZs, inside and outside, and a bunch of other stuff beyond the scope of this discussion.

Speaking of IPs, I *think* most cable companies (unlike DSL, light sword providers, and so forth) require that each additional machine that you add to your their WAN has its' own IP. You usually 'buy' these IPs in blocks of five. That's the way Cox cable works is in this area, for instance. You cannot simply add a switch to your LAN, on Cox cable, and have multiple computers hooked up to the Internet at the same time.

That's the biggest reason I suggested the OPER go through their provider! She's *probably* going to have to order some additional IPs, and set her LAN up accordingly -- including properly configuring whatever AV/firewall software she's using -- and the list goes on! I can do this in my sleep, but it's gonna be a steep learning curve for someone that's never done it before, in this day and age...

[Ron]

Right, you can't just add a switch, you have to add a router, but nowadays every router that I know of also includes a switch.

Routers generally do NAT. They use a single IP address to the internet (actually, they obtain their IP address from the DOCSIS modem through DHCP) and forward responses from the net to the appropriate PC that is using a private range internal IP address, usually something like 192.168.1.xxx

If the company isn't using DHCP, then you would configure the router to use the assigned IP address.

Requiring individual IPs - that's the FIRST I've heard of that. EVERYONE I know, around here at least, has multiple computers and a router. The first questions they ask you when you call tech support are "do you have a router" and "are you running multiple computers." In the very early days, they tried to tell everyone that they were allowed only one computer, but that passed away years ago. In the very beginning, they even refused to install two DOCSIS modems on one cable line.

They sell DOCSIS modems with routers and/or wireless access points built in. All of these do NAT.

In addition, 99 44/100% of these systems use DHCP for configuring IP addresses, and I thought that an IP is tied by THEIR switches to the MAC address of the modem. So unless they are using multiple modems, I don't know how they are pulling that off anyway. Do you have one modem per Internet Accessible IP Address, or are all of your IPs in the private range, Vin?

Finally, EVEN IF they ARE using some sort of scheme to attempt to require individual public IP addresses, all Ms_Lamborghini would have to do is to configure Windows Internet Connection Sharing and set up some sort of a LAN and use her own PC to act as a router.

[Vin DSL]

Right, you can't just add a switch, you have to add a router, but nowadays every router that I know of also includes a switch.

My Cisco router has a single 10/100 Ethernet connection, so I run a NetGear switch behind it and, generally, 3Com hubs on the nodes (only because I'm too cheap to go buy more switches).

Routers generally do NAT... If the company isn't using DHCP, then you would configure the router to use the assigned IP address.

Most ppl that I know hate NAT (redundancy with no benefit[s], or so they say), but I still run it. Personally, I think it ALL depends on how efficiently the IP stack is designed (which I have no control over), not whether or not you're using NAT, but that's just me...

However, I DO have DHCP enabled on my router also, although I SELDOM use it. As a matter of fact, the ONLY time I use DHCP is when I'm working on someone else's computer, here at the house, 'cause that's what most ppl run at their house -- dolts!

Heh! Put another way, most ppl hate NAT, but I hate DHCP. Go figure...

Do you have one modem per Internet Accessible IP Address, or are all of your IPs in the private range, Vin?

Um... not sure what you're asking...

Since my Cisco uses 10.0.0.1 (native) I use 10.0.0.1/24 internally for nodes that need web access. Otherwise, yes, I use private ranges for other sub-nets. I could change the default IP on the router, but why, you know?

As far as my provider is concerned, I don't 'buy' static IPs from them. I use No-IP instead. This offers a LOT more functionality, and doesn't tie me to the coattails of Qwest...

Bottom line: Yes, I'm using a single router as my gateway, via dynamic IP (externally).

[Jaded]

Okay guys....her eyes are glazing over. Stop it!

Go here Ms. L....DLINK

You will need an extra cable to go to your son's laptop. It will save you a lot of time trying to connect/reconnect to a wireless setup...and if you aren't wireless savvy, it can be frustrating.

[Vin DSL]

OMG!!! D-Link? Hold your nose...

Look, I'm a cheap bastard! I scan things at Walmart, in order to find mismarked items, but when it comes to networking, in most cases, you get what you pay for!

Cisco is hard to beat, but they bend you over the counter on pricing. 3Com is a pretty cost-effective alternative. However, the 'King of Cheap' is NetGear!

I don't usually like to admit it, being a network snob and all, but NetGear is a diamond in the rough! Take it for what its worth, but I would suggest going with one of their products...

[Zacrifice]

I can't believe you guys are telling him that setting up a wireless network is hard and should be left to someone else.

Setting up a wireless network is really quiet simple.

When you get your wireless router follow the instructions.
Enable security by both Mac filtering AND WEP (although preferably WPA) set your key and then setup the other computer with that same key.

If he gets stuck, come ask here and we can help.
These days wireless routers are so easy my sister can set them up and she can barely use windows.

The best way to do it is to get a router that includes a modem, it just makes it all that more simple.

So yeah, go a head, find a modem/wireless router or just a wireless router for your connection type and come back here. I'm sure that other people who know your local area will be able to tell you what brands are worth going with!

[Vin DSL]

Heh!

Ms. also Ms (mĭz) pronunciation
n., pl. Mses. also Mses also Mss. or Mss (mĭz'ĭz).

1. Used as a courtesy title before the surname or full name of a woman or girl: Ms. Doe; Ms. Jane Doe.
2. Used in informal titles for a woman to indicate the epitomizing of an attribute or activity: Ms. Fashionable; Ms. Volleyball.

[Blend of MISS and MRS..]

The usage of Ms. was championed as non-sexist language beginning in the 1970s, especially in business usage, by those who argue that a woman's marital status is of no relevance in such a context. Starting in the 1970s, many women chose to be called Ms. for political reasons, and a major feminist magazine is named Ms.

Understand now, or do I have to break out the calculator?

[Gwaihir]

In addition, 99 44/100% of these systems use DHCP for configuring IP addresses, and I thought that an IP is tied by THEIR switches to the MAC address of the modem.

Of the modem, you sure? Out here the cable providers tie it to the MAC address of the computer's LAN card. So if put a router/switch in between as is discussed here, you need to register the new MAC address with the provider before it all works again.

[Around here you can do that via a web interface. Untill you went through the hoops that provisioning page is all the provider will give you. Once you've filled it all out again you're (back) on the internet.]