Here's something tricky...
 

In my university we have the pleasure to enjoy an 100Mbit connection. The problem is that I want to split that onto three PCs 1 using Linux and two using WindowsXP. I don't seem to find an (economic) way to do so... Take in mind that I have one IP. Whatsmore things get more complicated as I want to give let's say X Mbits to the first PC, Y Mbits to the second etc...

Any help out there?

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

OK the easiest thing to do would be to get a router with QoS functionaility, OR get a second network for that Linux box and use tht as a router and buy a switch and install some software on that to divide up the net speed. Just a few ideas into the air.

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

You think that a a router with QoS functionaility would do it? Handling the 100Mbits and splitting the line?

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

Linksys BEFSR41(or81) would do this nicely, the 81 has comprehensive QoS. You cannot split a line to allocate x Mb to one and x Mb to another, but give high priority to traffic from one port over another, a digital "bus lane" with traffic lights that automatically go green.

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

Sheeezzz. I checked out some routers that can handle 100Mbps (actually all new routers can) and can give each PC the certain amount of bandwidth...They're out of range, 300Euro+.

Could I do it by setting up a PII 233Mhz with linux as a router. Anybody knows how?
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Hmmm I checked it out and it seems nice as an idea and as a price. But that priority "inspection" is mentioned nowhere. Are you positive I can set one PC as high priority so it could even drainthe whole connection speed??

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

yes it is possible:

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Adv-Routing-HOWTO/

There are lots of ways of doing QoS with a Linux server, google Linux QoS & loads of programs are available.

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

Seeing you are on a 100Mbps line, why do you feel the need to prioritise? I would assume the line would be more than sufficient to handle your download needs on a few machines?

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

linksys wrt54g with cusomised 3rd party firmware can do it. I'd check you can do this though, at my uni it is against the TOS to distribute the connection beyond one registered pc. they also limit bandwidth to 100MB up and down per day too... :erm:

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

I think I'll stick to the Linksys BEFSR41 solution. linksys wrt54g seems interesting solution bt I can't see what firmware I could use to upgrade it to QoS

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

Linksys WRT54G HAS QoS built in to latest firmware!

Works well enough for my home network (2 XP desktops, 1 XP laptop(wireless), 1 Linux desktop).

Great piece of kit

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

my BEFSR41 doesn't have QoS as an option, afaik, however it is an older version (version 2) - firmware is 1.46.02

presumably the latest 'cisco' versions have this as an option????

- even so, the built in switch does 'load balance' the connection, pretty well between 2 computers, although it doesn't get 'stressed' so often since my son moved out ;)

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

You can upgrade the firmware to one with QoS
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beaten to it, this latest firmware will patch to any of the range versions 1-4

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

I believe the WAN port on the BEFSR41 is a 10base-T port, which means it's 10Mb. Ordinarily this wouldn't be a problem, but if WAB has a 100Mb connection... ;-(

On the other hand, the BEFSX41 I'm using ATM _does_ have a 100Mb Wan port. Usually comes in at about a tenner more than the BEFSR41 IIRC.

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

Thanks guys. U've been very helpfull. I checked out Linksys WRT54G. It supports 100Mbps, it has QoS, has built-in WiFi and whatsmore it costs about 70euro. I think it meets my needs. Any objections?

Re: Here's something tricky...
 

You didn't answer daniel's question (post #7) about why you need to prioritise on a 100mb connection ?