can we use DSL switch connects to DSL modem directly?

[jrefactors]

I am using DSL service, and I want to setup LAN at home. The internet
connects to DSL modem, can we use DSL switch connects to DSL modem
directly? Or I have to use DSL router connects to DSL modem?

i.e. Internet->DSL Modem->DSL Switch->PC1/PC2/PC3

OR

Internet->DSL Modem->DSL Router->DSL Switch->PC1/PC2/PC3


Please advise. thanks!!

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Unless your ISP is giving you three IP addresses, you need a router.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Ron Martell]

I am using DSL service, and I want to setup LAN at home. The internet
connects to DSL modem, can we use DSL switch connects to DSL modem
directly? Or I have to use DSL router connects to DSL modem?

i.e. Internet->DSL Modem->DSL Switch->PC1/PC2/PC3

OR

Internet->DSL Modem->DSL Router->DSL Switch->PC1/PC2/PC3


Please advise. thanks!!

If you connect your DSL modem directly to a switch then you will need
multiple i.p. addresses from your DSL service provider so that each PC
on the network can have one. Mostly there are additional per month
charges for these additional addresses although my ADSL service does
provide two i.p. addresses with each account.

So your best bet is to use a Cable/DSL router to connect to your DSL
modem. Doing it this way means:

1. Your network computers will use local i.p. addresses supplied by
the DHCP server in the router. The single i,p. address from your DSL
provider will be used by the router to share the connection with the
entire network.

2. Your network will be protected by the NAT service built into the
router. This is essentially, although not totally, a hardware
firewall and should keep your network safe from the overwhelming
majority of hacker attacks etc.

3. The possibility of using wireless connections within your network,
if you purchase one of the many router models that include wireless
capability.

Note that most of the Cable/DSL routers sold today have have 4 wired
ports for computers (in addition to their wireless connectivity, if so
equipped). If you have more than 4 computers on your network then you
can connect your switch to one of the router's LAN ports and then
connect additional PCs to the other ports on the switch.

I have configured several networks this way. A typical setup would be
one in a local accounting office using a 4 port Cable/ADSL router and
two 10 port 10/100 switches.

Router port 1 = switch 1 - 7 PCs on upper floor connected.
Router port 2 = switch 2 - 6 pcs on lower floor connected
Router port 3 = File Server
Router port 4 = Digital photocopier used as primary network printer.

If additional PCs are required on the network then additional switches
could be connected to ports 3 and 4 on the router, and the printer &
file server relocated to one of the switches.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Yousuf Khan]

I am using DSL service, and I want to setup LAN at home. The internet
connects to DSL modem, can we use DSL switch connects to DSL modem
directly? Or I have to use DSL router connects to DSL modem?

i.e. Internet->DSL Modem->DSL Switch->PC1/PC2/PC3

OR

Internet->DSL Modem->DSL Router->DSL Switch->PC1/PC2/PC3

You're going to need a router, you can't connect a switch directly to
DSL modem. It can only give out one IP address, whereas a router can
allocate upto 256 IP addresses for your PCs.

Yousuf Khan

 

[jrefactors]

So your best bet is to use a Cable/DSL router to connect to your DSL
modem.

Note that most of the Cable/DSL routers sold today have have 4 wired
ports for computers

thanks for your advise. one more question...

I want to setup a LAN with 3 computers. If the DSL router has 4 ports,
can we connect DSL router to machines directly? Then I don't need to
buy a switch? My understanding is that DSL router has to connect to dsl
switch, and we cannot connect DSL router to computers directly, is that
correct? Unless the router has built-in switch, then it is ok, because
it actually means (router->switch->PC), and router->PC is not possible.


i.e. internet->dsl modem->dsl router->PC1/PC2/PC3 ??

please advise more... thanks a lot!!

 

[Richard G. Harper]

I believe you're confusing names and terms. There is no such thing as a
"DSL Switch", though many routers also contain a switch. If your router has
Ethernet ports on it you can connect computers to those network ports
without buying any other equipment.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Ron Martell]

Ron Martell wrote:

thanks for your advise. one more question...

I want to setup a LAN with 3 computers. If the DSL router has 4 ports,
can we connect DSL router to machines directly? Then I don't need to
buy a switch? My understanding is that DSL router has to connect to dsl
switch, and we cannot connect DSL router to computers directly, is that
correct? Unless the router has built-in switch, then it is ok, because
it actually means (router->switch->PC), and router->PC is not possible.


i.e. internet->dsl modem->dsl router->PC1/PC2/PC3 ??

please advise more... thanks a lot!!

Yes. You would only need the switch if you were going to have more
than 4 PCs on your LAN.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[CJT]

Yes. You would only need the switch if you were going to have more
than 4 PCs on your LAN.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

This is admittedly a nit, but it's really if you were going to have
more than 4 ethernet devices on your LAN; that might include print
servers, etc.