Networking

Okay here I am again searching for answers. I have DSL service and I have 2 computers. The DSL modem I have has a built in router and according to the phone company I just plug the other computer into my phone line and content to the internet routed through the host modem. However, I need a cable that is either of the following:

regular phone line plug on one end and ethernet plug on the other;

OR

USB port on one end and regular phone line plug on the other.

Problem is I am having a difficult time finding either and it doesn't help much that I don't even know what they are called.
Bellsouth will sell me this adapter but it is expensive and I don't understand why I can't just buy a cable like either of the above. (Ã'm cheap) Or a simple inline adapter with phone line plug on one side and ethernet plug on the other.

SOOOOOO which one of you can guide me in the right direction and educate me on this subject?

 

Do not plug your computers into the phone line. Do not plug your network interface card, attached to your computer, into the phone line. Do not plug your USB port into the phone line. If you have a 56k modem, you can plug that into the phone line... ...but because you have DSL, you have no reason to plug a 56k modem into the phone line.

Only one thing gets plugged into the phone line -- the DSL modem. And you need to use only the line, cable, or jack marked, labeled, or documented as being the one that will connect to the phone line.

It's possible that your DSL modem housing also contains a router. On one side of that box, you will plug in a phone cable supplied with the modem and it will have RJ-11 jacks. It should be marked DSL or WAN or phone or something like that. Read the instructions that came with the DSL modem.

Likely, the DSL provider, unless you have a dedicated DSL line, also provided filters for each of your telephones. The filters go between the phone line and your telephone set for each telephone set.

On the, figuratively speaking, or maybe literally speaking, OTHER side of the DSL-modem/router box will be an RJ-45 Jack that probably transmits baseband ethernet at 10 mbps. You will use a CAT-5E patch cable to connect this port to the uplink port on a switch.

You will use two other CAT-5e patch cords to connect the NICs (network interface cards) in your computers to the switch.

Set your network configuration to DHCP (Obtain an IP address automatically) for each of the computers.

Plug nothing in until you understand. If you don't understand this, ask questions here.

 

Thank you for your reply. According to BellSouth they have told me that the 2nd computer DOES NOT have to be plugged into the DSL modem, that it can be plugged in using a USB port to the telephone jack in another room also selling me a PC Port (USB HomePNA Adapter). I thought that both had to run through the modem but they are saying no, that the modem has a built in router and any computer plugged into the phone line via the USB port or an ethernet card can access the DSL connection.

 

It would seem that Bell South has sold you a device that sets up a phone line LAN as well as interfacing to DSL providing both modem and router functions.

The electrical interface for Ethernet, USB, and the phone line are all different. At the least, I would expect that for each computer you would need an Ethernet to phone line bridge or a USB to phone line bridge. These would be not cheap.

As indicated in my first message, directly connecting Ethernet or USB to a phone line would not be a good idea.

In other words, it's probably not just a cable.

Don't expect blazing speed. Depending on the phone line network implementation, and your particular phone line installation, you could see less than broadband modem speeds or failure to communicate.

The documentation for your device should explain this to you.

If you have a MFG and model for your device, perhaps you can find an alternate source of equipment.

 

whompuscat

If I am thinking and read correctly I believe you would be better off with a Router/Switch. ( not a HUB )

Then plug the cable from each machine into the Router. Then of course the Router to the Modem.

The Router serves several purposes.

1-- It provides a Hardware firewall ( well actually NAT ) Which will block incoming ONLY attempts to get to your machine.

To cover both in and out you need a software Firewall ( on each machine ). I recommend Kerio. I DO NOT ( used to but not now )recommend Norton AV or Firewall.

2--It keeps the Local Area Network and the Internet SEPARATED.

3-- It ( unless DSL is different ) allows more than one machine onto the Internet at the same time with only one IP address.

4--All machines do not have to be on at the same time as long as the Modem and Router are powered separatley and on at all times.

This all works absolutley GREAT with a Cable Modem and I THINK it should with DSL also.

BillyBob

 

Ok this is the problem. I do not want to run a line from way across the house to get to the dsl modem, when Bellsouth has said that was not necessary since you can do it directly through the phone line. Looking for convience.

BTW..... why not norton firewall? why kerio?

 

why not norton firewall? why kerio?

Norton Firewall is OK but I myself have dumped both NIS and NAV for just as good ( and right now cheaper ) and far less system loading AVG Anti-Virus and Kerio firewall.

As to running the cable across the House. You are looking a convience and I may be looking at preformance or what I believe may be a more stable and better preforming system.

I myself have two Network cables of app 50' under the floor. And each machine has its own internet access without any other one being on as long as I don't shut the Modem and Router off. Which I have done when I caught some kids on the net where they did not belong. Or I have also unlugged the Net cable from the Router.

If you do not wish to do this then you may have to settle for a much tougher setup and maybe even a little less preformance quality.

In all honesty the preformance part I need to leave up to someone that has a setup similiar to yours.

Also one thing that I realized later that I believe you have a USB Modem. From what I have been given to understand USB is not that great and harder to share.

Only asking here as I really do not know. Doesn't the USB modem connect to one machine and then that machine must be on in order for it to work ? And if that machine is not on nobody get anywhere ? If so that part alone would turn me off VERY quickly.

BillyBob

 

Actually the modem itself connects to ethernet card. But the 2nd computer is connected through the USB port to the phone line. What you are saying about the 50' cable seems to be a cheaper option than what Bellsouth is offering. Not sure about the host computer being turned on to operate the 2nd computer, since I have not connected the 2nd one yet.
Where can I find this firewall program?

Thanks your help and advice.

 

Kerio Personal Firewall

And you DO NEED the software Firewall on each machine. The reason for the software firewall is so that YOU AS THE USER can control what goes out and what does not. But you may already be aware of that.

Actually the modem itself connects to ethernet card. But the 2nd computer is connected through the USB port to the phone line

Please help me to understand here.

Does the above mean that the Modem itself is not a USB Modem ? If not that is fine. ( actually better I believe )

Does the above say that the 2nd computer would be using USB. If that is true then I personally see problems. USB at times can be unreliable.

I believe that you would be better off with a Network card ( in each machine ) cabled to the Router. Then Router to Modem.

Again. If the Modem and Router are powered separately either machine can be on alone or both at the same time.

And also ( to repeat again ) the LAN & the Internet will be HARDWARE separated by the Router. Because the NICs use a non-translatable ( I think that is the word I want ) IP address.

Tha Router also acts as a DHCP server and asigns each NIC an address.

If anyone sees something wrong here please jump in. Bacause I am going by what I have and works just fine.

whompuscat has DSL and I have Cable. But I do not think that makes a difference.

I do not recall seing what OS you are using but if is XP you still need the Software Firewall. And with XP, the Router and the Software Firewall you can turn XPs firewall off. It only blocks incoming anyway.

You also said something about the Modem also including a Router. On that score I AM LOST It may not be suitable for both LAN and Internet use. I just do not know.

And if you do get a Router I suggest Linksys 4 Port Router/Switch.

BillyBob

 

Something I forgot.

If you do wish to Network the machines then I believe what I suggest would be the better way to go as you will need a NIC in each machine anyway. And the NIC would then serve a Dual purpose. Internet and LAN.

BillyBob

PS
And you will need that cable across the house anyway.

BB