Two computers online?
 

Alright, got myself a problem here. Basically, I want to get online via a hardline with the current broadband connection supplied by Virgin.

Problem is, I think the service is set up so only the original PC can get online. I just hunkered downstairs the additional Desktop to get online at the connection of the old PC, and it's not having it.

I thought I would simply be able to use an Ethernet switch to get them both online, but is it so that Virgin have assigned it so only a specific IP can get online? :dunce:

What are my options here then? I'd really rather avoid having to use wireless because it won't be as fast and safe as a hardline. Bridgeing the connections with the old PC isn't really viable as it is a dinosaur, too... :erm:

Many thanks!

Re: Two computers online?
 

You need a router.

Re: Two computers online?
 

Pop down to PC World and buy a Linksys WRT54g. It has wireless capability which you would be daft not to buy in case you later decide you need it. You don't need to have it activated for now if you don't want it.

Switch everything off, connect modem -> router -> PCs, then switch on modem, then switch on router, then switch on PCs. (Before you do this you may need to connect a PC to the router without it being connected to the modem, in order to do some setting up - see the instructions in the box for details).

Re: Two computers online?
 

Ok, I'll do that. The Linksys will let me run a hardline up the stairs and connect the old PC too eh? (The old one doesn't have wireless capacity)

But will I need to get in touch with Virgin in order to change IP to the router or some such thing?

Cheers for the speedy replies.

Re: Two computers online?
 

no just do it

Re: Two computers online?
 

Actually, doesn't the router have to be Netgear in order to be compatable? This connection dates back to the NTL generation.

Re: Two computers online?
 

no

Re: Two computers online?
 

Ok, thank you. :D

Well, just to satisfy my curiosity, why wasn't my rig allowed to get connected at the access point for the old PC? Why won't a simple ethernet switch suffice?

Re: Two computers online?
 

Because virgin will only issue one Ip address per modem routers have something called a NAT (network address translator) which allows a single external IP address to be shared between multiple devices.

Re: Two computers online?
 

Ok, thanks. Do I need to tinker about with the router, or is it just plug and play, and the only problem I face is running the cat5 cable up stairs? :D

Re: Two computers online?
 

Depends on the router, but nowadays that will be all that is needed. For my linksys all I needed to do was power everything off, modem included, plug it all in, and power it all up starting with modem, router, then PC - letting each one settle bfore turning the next on. You may need to run a wizrd for the router but it will be well documented.

Re: Two computers online?
 

Whew... Great, problem solved. I just get a refund on this switch and pick up a Linksys router.

Well, there's no exceptions to this rule then? Doesn't matter if the Ntl modem is old or anything like that? (Sorry to be nagging here, but I just want to get as much info as I can)

Re: Two computers online?
 

As long as it is a Cable Router and not an ADSL modem/router it will be fine. Ay brand will work.

Re: Two computers online?
 

How do I tell the difference?

When I've looked at it, a cat5 cable has been coming out of it.

Re: Two computers online?
 

Will usually say. But if in doubt, post up the brand and model name and someone will confirm for you. Or, take the adivce from Chris_T and "Pop down to PC World and buy a Linksys WRT54g." Is perfect for your needs, inexpensive etc.

Re: Two computers online?
 

The difference between a cable and adsl routers is that adsl router sometimes have a built in modem, plus it will say on the box, a Linksys WRT54g is a very good router, I recommend you buy it, it is also very easy to set up, you will be up and running within 10-15 mins.

Re: Two computers online?
 

Great, I'll hunt that down. Looking forward to getting a connection close on to 100mbps.

Thanks alot for your help, guys. You rock! :D

Re: Two computers online?
 

If your not using the wireless you can just turn it off, if you need help doing that tell people here which router you bought and i'm sure someone will talk you through it...


You should get close to 100mbit/s communications between the pcs on the LAN but of course anything to/from the internet will only be as fast as your broadband.

Re: Two computers online?
 

Ah, it worked without a hitch. Thank you so much, guys. :cool:

Well, some final questions. Are there any possible security threats with using the switch alone for net use? I heard somewhere it opens you up to all kinds of nasty threats.

And will setting a Static IP for optimizing uTorrent cause problems with my Virgin Broadband connection? This is the method I intend to use:

http://paperkingdoms.wordpress.com/2...peed-problems/

Again, thank you so much for your help. It's great to finally get this sorted.

Re: Two computers online?
 

why you need a static just open the ports on your router/firewall

Re: Two computers online?
 

internally?

So you don't have to remap the ports every time you connect to the network. ;)

Re: Two computers online?
 

That shouldn't cause any problems. My home network runs a mix of DHCP and Static IPs. I use uTorrent from a machine with a fixed IP for the same reasons you are considering. All running through a DLink router without any problems at all.

Re: Two computers online?
 

I use DHCP but my router lets me Bind mac addresses to IP addresses, which i've done for most of the devices that are frequently on the network.

This means that it will always give those devices the same Internal IP everytime ;)

My external IP is dynamic and there's not much I can do about that apart from use Dyndns.

Re: Two computers online?
 

There's a much simpler way than that about it imo, change the IP range on the router to something like ...2-...100 (after all when are you going to connect 98 devices to the router!?) and then set any statics to be above 100, this would work perfectly unless you constantly changed between 2 routers.

Re: Two computers online?
 

I prefer to allocate them on the router since I don't want to login to umpteen devices and change the settings when I can just copy and paste a mac address from the DHCP clients table into the Reserved ip's table

Re: Two computers online?
 

Hi
What i understand is UR ISP is Virgin.. and U Dont have DHCP enabled modem( modem will provide only one IP address), and u got the second Computer , and U Dont want to go WIRELESS..

Its not advised to connect two computers with Ethernet Cable and enable Internet Sharing..Internet Speed will be Low.

The Best thing, instead of going for wireless router, GO FOR WIRED 4 PORT ROUTER.. where u can connect 4 computers wired and can go online..speed will same..no hassles..

Regards
Vivek N

---------- Post added at 21:48 ---------- Previous post was at 21:47 ----------

Hi
What i understand is UR ISP is Virgin.. and U Dont have DHCP enabled modem( modem will provide only one IP address), and u got the second Computer , and U Dont want to go WIRELESS..

Its not advised to connect two computers with Ethernet Cable and enable Internet Sharing..Internet Speed will be Low.

The Best thing, instead of going for wireless router, GO FOR WIRED 4 PORT ROUTER.. where u can connect 4 computers wired and can go online..speed will same..no hassles..

Regards
Vivek N

Re: Two computers online?
 

Most wireless routers also offer extra wired ports, so why limit your options by buying a wired router?

Re: Two computers online?
 

I`m no too sure about that .....:erm:
I`ve never had any issues whatsoever in that department using ics( IP Masquerading) via iptables in Linux.I`ve never used Windows to do the ICS but there is an XP drive on another pc that receives it just fine.

IF(and it`s a big IF) we are getting the full 20Mb through the modem though then every pc/os around the house is quite capable of receicving it too.
I`m not saying dont use a router of course but ICS for us has been great for our particular situation.:)

We have 2 seperate broadband connections which was really the only reason we never bothered with a router,when it was just the 2 pc`s that is.

I have complete control over both bb connections from right here so i can easily route whatever one i want round the rest of the house(older kids rooms & lounge).
Depending on whos using which pc though everything webside is easily restricted as appropriate....or permitted if appropriate to be more precise.
I`m very conscious of what our young girls do online so being their router/firewall/gateway suits me just fine:D