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What are
the possible configuration settings for
a home/SOHO network with 3-4 computers
and an ADSL Internet connection?
On this
page I will describe the 4 variants or
options that one has when connecting a
home or small office network to the
Internet via an ADSL or Cable modem.
Carefully read the pros and cons of each
method and decide what's best for you.
In this
page I will not go into PC configuration
details.
Option 4:
PC's and ADSL to Router/Switch
Pros
-
Simple setup
- No
manual configuration of PC's
-
Almost unlimited number of PC's
(254)
-
Dialup done automatically
-
Separation between the Internet and
the LAN
- No
uplink or crossed UTP cable required
-
Hub ports = number PC's
- No
server required
Cons
-
Routers can be expensive
-
Configuration of a router can be
hard
-
Not all ADSL routers support RAS
with VPN/PPTP
The
router/switch (like the LinkSys models)
is both a "server" for DHCP, firewall,
DNS etc. and a hub in one.
Layout:
Internet
|
|
Splitter
|
|
|
212.143.143.12 (Real IP from ISP -
sample)
|
Alcatel modem
|
10.0.0.138
|
|
|
10.0.0.1
|
PC1------------------Router
/ Switch-----------------PC4
192.168.0.101
/
\
192.168.0.104
/
\
/
\
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PC2
PC3
192.168.0.102
192.168.0.103
-
The ADSL cable goes to the splitter.
-
The ADSL modem is connected to the
splitter.
-
The Ethernet cable from the modem is
connected to the router/switch.
-
All PC's are connected to the
router/switch.
-
All you need to do is to configure
the router for Internet Sharing.
Note:
Some ADSL modems, such as the Alcatel
SpeedTouch Pro, can function as routers
between the Internet and the LAN. Read
Upgrade from Alcatel SpeedTouch Home to
Pro on how to configure your modem. In
that case you will no longer require a
router on your network:
Layout:
Internet
|
|
Splitter
|
|
|
212.143.143.12 (Real IP from ISP -
sample)
|
Alcatel modem (Configured as a
router)
|
10.0.0.138
|
|
|
|
|
PC1-------------------Switching
Hub-----------------------PC4
10.0.0.101
/
\
10.0.0.104
/
\
/
\
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PC2
PC3
10.0.0.102
10.0.0.103
-
The ADSL cable goes to the splitter.
-
The ADSL modem is connected to the
splitter.
-
The ADSL modem is configured as a
router.
-
The Ethernet cable from the modem is
connected to the switching hub.
-
All PC's are connected to the
switching hub.
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