Computers and routers?

Question

I needs some assistance with dsl and routers. I have a windows xp pc and i am getting a used windows 2000. I have dsl thru my centuytel phone company and a Westell modem with a ethernet connection and a usb connection. I use the ethernet connection because my computer that I have now sucks and cannot get my usb's to work. I want to run the windows 2000 pc along with my dsl. I called my phone company and they don't offer a wireless home portal, so I assume that I need a router. My question is, what kind of router do I need? and how does it work? and how does it connect? will I need more than just the router? or will I also need a wireless card? Thank you in advance for any help anyone can give me.

Answer 1

Purchase a Linksys Wireless-G router, not a D-Link or Netgear. You'll be happy you did. They go for roughly $50.00 at Staples or WalMart. Even though you'll be getting a wireless router, it will still have 4 wired ports on the back. This will let you connect both the XP PC and the 2000 PC to the router with network cables. Of course, if you wanted to locate one of the computers away from the router, you could also buy a Linksys Wireless-G USB adapter and connect it to one of the computers. Another $50.00 for that.



Look on the back of your DSL modem. There's a phone line coming into it, and a USB port and an Ethernet port. Disregard the USB port. Take the blue network cable that comes with the Linksys router and plug one end of it into the Ethernet port on the modem. Plug the other end of it into the Ethernet port on the back of your new router. (Note: On the back of your router, you'll see one port all by itself, and 4 other ones, numbered 1 thru 4. The one by itself is for the cable coming from the modem. 1 thru 4 are for connecting up to 4 PCs).

Now just take another network cable, plug one end of it into port 1, and the other end into your PC's network card. Repeat for your second PC, using port 2, 3, or 4.



It's fairly straightforward. You might have some difficulties configuring your DSL modem though. It's best if you store your DSL account info in the router and not in the modem, where it currently resides. Try calling your ISP to see if they'll help you to properly configure both the modem and the router.

Answer 2

The best way is to get a router. You don't say if the Windows XP or Windows 2000 machines have wireless connections already.



A simple 4 port router will come in two main variations. One with just the 4 ports, and ones that are also wireless. If the computers have a wireless connection on them (or you add a card for this to them) and you want to connect wireless you or course want to buy a router with wireless. You can also just connect the computers to the router using Ethernet cables, your choice.



There will be a special port on the router the WAN port, you connect your DSL modem Ethernet connection there, and when your computers connect to the router and want to either talk to each other or out to the Internet through your DSL modem the router will do this "routing".



Wireless is best for laptops, but if the computers are just going to always sit by the router/DSL modem you might as just connect them using Ethernet cable, which just plan easier to deal with and more reliable.



Also if you do use wireless make sure that the security is turned on so that outsiders can't get access to your network.

Answer 3

I have cable, - not DSL, but I have one computer with two ethernet cards. I have one card take in the cable (DSL), and I have the 2nd card server it up to another computer.



Or that 2nd card is connected to a wireless router.



Or if you're running Windows XP, you can take the two cards and bridge them. That may make the 2nd computer connected to the 1st card connected to the internet.



But, I'm an IT professional at home, - and it took me many times to get the configuration the way I want. With DHCP, VPN, DNS all working the way I want, - without an external router.



Without a router, - to connect to computers directly to each other, you need a custom CAT-5 twisted pair, RJ45 patch cable (ethernet) that's called a 'cross-over' cable. No big deal for me, I have a crimper and I make my own cables.

Answer 4

Lady, if you do not have a ROUTER! Decide whose router you want to but and buy it. if you want Wireless, bu a wireless router. Buy network cards for your PC. If you are using a wireless router, by wireless PC network cards.

Buy everything from the same manufacturer.

The current network standard is G, N router are on the market so do your homework before you buy. READ UP ON NETWORK Standards. Do not let this forum tell you! There is a LOT of miss information IN HERE!



You will have to READ the router INSTALLATION USERS GUIDE to get your Internet up and running! NO ONE IN THIS FORUM can tell you how to do it because different ROUTERS have DIFFERENT Instructions! All you have to do is read CAREFULLY.



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Answer 5

You can go to Walmart or wherever to get yourself a a Linksys or D-Link or whatever router (just one) - just as long as it has wireless capabilities. Yes, if you want to go wireless you will need the wireless NIC card as well.

Shut everything down - follow the enclosed CD's instructions - fairly easy setup.