Very basic connection query

[KiwiBrian]

I have a pc conected to the net via a ADSL modem.
I wish to network it with two other pcs using an 8 port router so that all
can access the net and also file share between each other.
Do I cable the modem to the special port on the router, and all 3 PCs to the
other ports on the router?
Or
Do I cable the modem direct to one of the computers, and using a seperate
ethernet port on that computer, connect it to one of the ports on the
router, along with the other 2 PCs?
If the first option is valid, will I use 4 straight-thru cables, or one
crossover between the modem and a PC, and the PC cables all straight thru?
TIA
Brian Tozer

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

"Do I cable the modem to the special port on the router, and all 3 PCs to
the other ports on the router?"

Yes, different manufacturers variously refer to the 'special' port as the
WAN port, Internet port, Modem port, etc. The 'other' ports are part of an
integrated switch. All cables should be standard 'straight through'
ethernet cables.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a pc conected to the net via a ADSL modem.
I wish to network it with two other pcs using an 8 port router so that all
can access the net and also file share between each other.

Do I cable the modem to the special port on the router, and all 3 PCs to the
other ports on the router?

Yes, provided that the ADSL modem has an Ethernet output.

Or
Do I cable the modem direct to one of the computers, and using a seperate
ethernet port on that computer, connect it to one of the ports on the
router, along with the other 2 PCs?

Do that only if the ADSL modem has a USB output and no Ethernet
output. You'd also need to enable Internet Connection Sharing on the
main computer's ADSL connection and disable the router's built-in DHCP
server.

If the first option is valid, will I use 4 straight-thru cables, or one
crossover between the modem and a PC, and the PC cables all straight thru?

Use 4 straight-thru cables.

TIA
Brian Tozer

--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[KiwiBrian]

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote

:

Do that only if the ADSL modem has a USB output and no Ethernet
output. You'd also need to enable Internet Connection Sharing on the
main computer's ADSL connection and disable the router's built-in DHCP
server.

Thankyou very much Steve.
When I went to implement networking I found to my surprise that the above
was exactly what I have.
So this narrows down my field of interest and enquiry to what you are
describing.
Are you able to point me to online information/instructions/tutorial that
describes what I need to do and be aware of in more detail?
I have cabled from each PC to the router with straight thru cable, with my
main PC going to the special port, and a second PC going to one of the 8
'normal' ports.
So I think I am ready to follow the right instructions.
Thanks again for the help so far.
It is much appreciated.
Brian Tozer

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Thankyou very much Steve.
When I went to implement networking I found to my surprise that the above
was exactly what I have.
So this narrows down my field of interest and enquiry to what you are
describing.
Are you able to point me to online information/instructions/tutorial that
describes what I need to do and be aware of in more detail?
I have cabled from each PC to the router with straight thru cable, with my
main PC going to the special port, and a second PC going to one of the 8
'normal' ports.
So I think I am ready to follow the right instructions.
Thanks again for the help so far.
It is much appreciated.
Brian Tozer

Don't use the router's special (WAN, Internet) port. Connect both
computers to its 'normal' ports.

See the router's User Guide for information on how to disable its DHCP
server. If you can't find that, tell us what make and model of router
you have, and someone should be able to give instructions.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[KiwiBrian]

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote

See the router's User Guide for information on how to disable its DHCP
server. If you can't find that, tell us what make and model of router
you have, and someone should be able to give instructions.

Thanks Steve. I seem to have it all working thanks to your help.
But I have not disabled the DHCP. Well, not knowingly.
I do not have the manual for the device which is a Soho - 8 10Base-T
Ethernet Hub.
If I should still disable the DHCP, in the light of the foregoing, how would
I do that?
Thanks
Brian

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote


Thanks Steve. I seem to have it all working thanks to your help.
But I have not disabled the DHCP. Well, not knowingly.
I do not have the manual for the device which is a Soho - 8 10Base-T
Ethernet Hub.
If I should still disable the DHCP, in the light of the foregoing, how would
I do that?
Thanks
Brian

You're welcome, Brian.

Hubs and routers are different types of devices. You referred to it
as a router in all of your previous messages, so I thought that you
had a router.

If you're sure that it's a hub, then there's nothing else to do,
because a hub doesn't have a DHCP server.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[KiwiBrian]

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote

You're welcome, Brian.
Hubs and routers are different types of devices. You referred to it
as a router in all of your previous messages, so I thought that you
had a router.
If you're sure that it's a hub, then there's nothing else to do,
because a hub doesn't have a DHCP server.

Thanks so much Steve for guiding me through the morass of conflicting
information out there which seems to often lack the initial definitions
clarifying just which particular hardware and software configuration is
being described.
Best wishes from New Zealand.
Brian Tozer