skymedic 0 #1 January 25, 2005 I am installing DSL next week on my computer. My question is should I get a router for the hardware firewall aspect of it or just get ZoneAlarm or similar software firewall? It seems router's are cheap. About 30 bucks or so. what is the difference between a router and a switch? they also had a cable/DSL networking Bus? My eye's kinda glossed over. I will probably add another computer to share the DSL connection. can this be done if one is an XP computer and one is an Apple? thanks, Marc Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 January 25, 2005 If you're going to want to share the connection, then you want a router with a switch or a hub. They both get the same end results, the switch will be a little faster. For only 2 computers and one connection you really won't notice a difference between the two of them. A router with NAT will offer a bit of protection, but you'll still want stuff like spyware killers and anti-virus and such. So get a router with a switch or hub, 100mb.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slurp56 0 #3 January 25, 2005 Since you are going to connect multiple computers, the DSL router is probably your best bet (simply put). Personally, if you rely on a software firewall and it goes off, the attacker has already gotten too far. A router has a capability to connect 2 different networks together (your home network and the DSL providers network). A switch can only physically link machines on the same network (simplified). You most absolutely can connect both your XP machine and the apple. They both support TCP/IP which is the network protocol you need to connect to the internet. In your scenario, get a hardware DSL router. Linksys makes a decent one and setup DHCP on the DSL router. Then set your apple and the XP machine to get their IP address dynamically and the router will take care of it for you.________________________________________ I have proof-read this post 500 times, but I guarantee you'll still manage to find a flaw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #4 January 25, 2005 Yup..what they said..Just bought my router today..$60! _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #5 January 26, 2005 QuoteYup..what they said..Just bought my router today..$60! Since i know nothing michael (wffc) picked mine out for me. I paid $70 for mine, but it had $40 rebate on it, so $30 is the end total. Now if that check would just get here already!! ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman32 0 #6 January 26, 2005 DON'T GET DSL!!! DSL is a lame dog compared to cable. After cable, DSL is just as bad as dial up Inveniam Viam aut Faciam I'm back biatches! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #7 January 26, 2005 QuoteDON'T GET DSL!!! DSL is a lame dog compared to cable. After cable, DSL is just as bad as dial up I've used both alot in the last few months, and they seem to be about the same. I think the speeds you get have alot to do with the area, especially with DSL. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #8 January 26, 2005 Yep what they all said, except consider adding wireless to your router along with the usual connections. There may be a small price premium but basically you're buying the same equipment with an extra doo-dad and a heck of a lot of them come with wireless now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #9 January 26, 2005 Cable is only good if your cable company isn't like Adelphia. I had to switch to DSL because my cable modem didn't work at least 50% of the time and was extremely slow most of the time when it was working, unless it was 3am. If the cable companies put too many people on one cable line, it slows everything down. Then, you call and complain, they boost your signal, it works fine for a week or so, until everyone else calls and complains, and their signals get boosted so then you're right back to the same problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lummy 4 #10 January 26, 2005 QuoteMy question is should I get a router for the hardware firewall aspect of it or just get ZoneAlarm or similar software firewall? Honestly, you should get both. The router will let you share (like everyone said) and give you a bit of protection by using NAT. The host based firewall will protect your PC from more sophisticated attacks .I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cudlo 0 #11 January 26, 2005 QuoteQuoteDON'T GET DSL!!! DSL is a lame dog compared to cable. After cable, DSL is just as bad as dial up I've used both alot in the last few months, and they seem to be about the same. I think the speeds you get have alot to do with the area, especially with DSL. When i had DSL i would top out at 150KB/s or so... with my cable connection from Comcast... i get anywhere from 300KB/s to 600KB/s (and yes i know the difference between KB/s and Kbps, the above numbers are in bytes not bits)_________________________________________ "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Kierkegaard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #12 January 26, 2005 DO you really want to know? Really? really really? It is a lot easier not to know and just flame off in forums. If you do want to know: http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=24459 DSL and cable are like apples and oranges, they work on completely different technology. DSL offers a static connection (an ATM to a redbox in all reality). Cable is like a water main, more outlets = less pressure. As for the DSL question, yes a router. It has been asked here a dozen times, at least. So, for keywords: DSL cable router wireless networking internet zone alarm firewall security NAT switch router, if you don't read any other thread, read this one, and then read this link: http://www.homenethelp.com/router-guide/index.asp And then...RTFM-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #13 January 26, 2005 QuoteWhen i had DSL i would top out at 150KB/s or so... with my cable connection from Comcast... i get anywhere from 300KB/s to 600KB/s (and yes i know the difference between KB/s and Kbps, the above numbers are in bytes not bits) ditto that.. and i save 25 bucks a month by not having a land line for my phone..... dsl and cable are the sam price here but my cable is like 4 times faster!!!! ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,488 #14 January 26, 2005 Quotebut you'll still want stuff like spyware killers and anti-virus and such I just had to renew my Norton subscription and went ahead and got the Antivirus along with the Internet Security (which has an adware/spyware defense) and they chunked in the Password Manager for free. So far, I'm pretty impressed. I will admit that it was a bit of a hassle installing it, configuring it and training it. It's also quite the Resource/RAM hog.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #15 January 26, 2005 Thank you thank you thank you. for all the replies. reason I didn't get cable is that our cable company requires us to get digital cable if we want cable internet. just something that Anne and I dont wan't. if we were able to get rid of our land line totaly we'd go with cable but since Lauren needs a phone at times we have what we have. Looks like the cable/DSL router is what I'm gonna get. they have a 4port DSL/cabel gateway router. what does the whole gateway thing mean? will this work for me. it's made by Belkin and costs like 40 bucks. http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=302193&pfp=BROWSE thanks again for all the advice.... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #16 January 26, 2005 Belkin? *shudder* Uh...Cisco makes good routers... For a lowcost solution I really prefer NetGear personally, but that's just my opinion.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #17 January 26, 2005 QuoteDSL is a lame dog compared to cable. After cable, DSL is just as bad as dial up Fuck yeah. I have DSL at work and it's slooooow compared to my broadband at home. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #18 January 26, 2005 QuoteFuck yeah. I have DSL at work and it's slooooow compared to my broadband at home. What sort of DSL connection is used at work? How many connections are shared on that DSL at work? What speed is the network at work compared to at home? How many homes share the cable broadband in your neighborhood? There are many many many more factors then just one service over the other. DSL is more capable, DSL has the ability to be much faster then cable. There are many variables involved. This is sort of like saying "a VX is a faster canopy then a Velocity" which may be true in some situations but may not be in others and "faster" is a subjective term. You can have much better upstream on DSL then you can ever achieve on cable.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #19 January 27, 2005 They are guaranteeing 1.5MBpS minimum downstream up to 3.0....or my money back...so we shall see. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
