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Hello, I'm a newb getting broadband for the first time, needs recommendations on how to set this small home network up.

G

Gonad the Barbarian

Lifer
Hi, I'm finally moving to a place where I can get broadband later this week and need some advice and suggestions on the best way to network my computers on it.

#1) I can get either Sprint DSL 512k or Charter Cable at 768Kb. I have zero experience with broadband of any kind, so forgive this question, but how much speed difference realistically would there between the two? Is there anything I would run into trouble with using the DSL as opposed to cable? The DSL seems to be a better deal and what I'm inclined to go with, I'd just like to be aware of any potential caveats.

#2) I'll have two computers, one upstairs, one down. I was thinking about getting a D-Link DI-614+ and hooking it up via patch cable to my main computer upstairs, and getting a D-Link DWL-120+ for the one downstairs. Is this the way to go or is there a better way to do this or better equipment to use?

#3) I may get an Xbox in the near future that I'll want to network into this as well. It will go downstairs and next to the computer there so I see two options if I go with #2 as it is:

a)Run the Xbox via a crossover cable into the NIC that's in my downstairs computer that will be using the USB NIC. I'm running Win98 on this computer, will I be able to get this working with relative ease?

b)Bring the router downstairs and patch that computer and Xbox into it, take the USB NIC upstairs for that computer. The upstairs computer will be my main one, and I'm concerned running that off the USB NIC will hurt the bandwidth going to that computer.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to respond to my newb questions.
 
wireless might be best in your situation if you dont want to run wires. i am not an expert on wireless, but i will reccommend it to you. just ask for a decent wireless router, and 2 usb wireless adaptors, plus one for your xbox, but you mind need an adaptor for that or something, i am not sure.

MIKE
 
1) what are the prices for each service? the only issue with DSL is that you have to apply filters on all of your phones. Usually a startup kit gives you a few filters to start off with, the rest you have to buy yourself...its basically just a line filter to allow an analog singal to be read being that a digital signal is clouding the line from the DSL.

2) do you really want to run exposed cable? i recommend getting some HPN, home phoneline network, action...especially with the announcement of 128mbps products.

3) i have no experience with Xbox's
 
If you would like to see what other people think of their DSL service providers, head over to DSL Reports. There are a lot of reviews. You should check out the reviews for the two that you're considering.

Wireless could be an option. If you're planning on just sharing the internet connection, then getting 802.11b will do just fine. If you're planning on transferring files, you should either get 802.11g or go with a wired router. This means that you'll have to look into a different router. D-Link has the DI-624+ which is 802.11g. I'm not sure how it performs but that's just one off the top of my head. Linksys and a number of other manufacturers also offer 802.11g routers. Hope this helps.
 
#1
DSL is usually better than cable modem for 1 reason. consistancy. cable usually has a fluctuating bandwidth. dsl is usally more guarenteed and will stay in its range. which makes it better for running servers.

one thing to look for when getting dsl is to find out not just the downlaod but the uplaod as well. especiually if youa re plannign to run ANY servers. also sometimes the upstream gets bogged down and affect online game play. Another good question si to find out if the upload or download streams are uncapped. uncapped means you could excedd the speeds the sell. If the sell you 768k dl and its uncapped you coudl pull more than that if there is room on their network(a big plus). usually dowload is capped but upload may or may not be.

#2
I dont like wireless.I say if you can run a line run a line and stay away form wireless as wireless is much slower than wireline.

#3
as far as yoru xbox. if you are going to run 1 cable why not run 2(from upstairs in a wireline network)? you could get a switch or hub and go from the dlink, to the hub and then go to the xbox and pc out of that.
 
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