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2 Intern
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14 Posts
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1455
June 10th, 2004 18:00
Need basic DSL information
I just ordered DSL internet thru SBC/Yahoo. I ordered it online, so I have just a few basic questions. Hope they don't seem stupid.
#1: I have a desktop computer and a laptop. I have a wireless card in my laptop. I keep reading about ethernet cards and I cannot find a clear cut answer to what it is, and whether I am going to have to buy one for either computer. So what is ethernet????
#2: What kind of router am I going to need? A lady I spoke with on the phone at SBC indicated that I could hook the desktop into the modem and then hook up a router so I could be wireless with my laptop. But then I start looking at routers and there are a million different kinds.
#3 Does anyone have any links to some simplified info on DSL? I am hoping that my installation package will answer a lot of questions, but I would really like to get a jump on things.
Thankyou!:)
Ann
mrdat
250 Posts
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June 10th, 2004 18:00
#2, you'll need a router that will do PPPOE so the router will "logon" to SBC DSL's system. I know, cause i installed one on my sister's SBC DSL, the Linksys WRT54g handles it.
_Paladin
795 Posts
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June 10th, 2004 19:00
betsygirl2001,
Ethernet in it's simplest form is a network hardware interface, providing a wired connection to a network. Externally an ethernet connector looks like a telephone plug, except that there are 8 pins in the connector vs. 4 pins in a telephone connector. Depending on the vintage of your two PCs they may have ethernet connectors already installed. Open the Device Manager on each system and expand the Network Adapters entry. If ethernet interfaces are installed in the PC they will show here. A wireless network adapter will also appear.
Since you have two PCs and want them to acces the internet you will need a router. The suggestion of a Linksys WRT54G by mrdat is a good one. Expect to spend about US$50-80. They are available at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, etc. I believe they are on sale at Best Buy this week. The WRT54G can connect up to 4 wired PCs and an additional 250 wireless PCs, more than enough for your needs.
The router will connect to the DSL modem, using what is called a cat5 ethernet cable. One is provided with the router. The PCs connect to the router, either wired or wirelessly. It's a good idea to connect one PC (in your case the desktop) to the router using an ethernet cable. Do this so you can access the router's configuration information. Most manufacturers recommend that changes to the software running in the router (called firmware) be done over an ethernet connection rather than wirelessly. Firmware updates are issued occasionally. You will need to buy a cat5 ethernet cable to connect the desktop to the router. And if the desktop does not have an ethernet network interface card (NIC) in it you will need to buy one of those. The NIC will cost about $15. Some come with ethernet cables, some do not.
The SBC package includes a software installation. Don't install it. SBC assumes that you only have one PC and the software is required so you can log on to their network. Since you will be using a router, the router will perform this logon. This is all spelled out in the router's user guide, located on the CD that comes with the router. PPPoE is the network functionality the requires a used id and password. Again, the router will do this, once you have configured it.
This link and this link offer good information about networking.
Post back if you have additional questions.
Message Edited by _Paladin on 06-10-2004 03:33 PM
betsygirl2001
2 Intern
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14 Posts
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June 10th, 2004 19:00
Thankyou very much everyone! Any other suggestions, please post, but what you gave me is just what I was needing. I may be posting back when I get my installation kit, but until then I think I am set!
Ann
mattcowger
2.6K Posts
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June 10th, 2004 19:00