Possible to share AOL broadband via a router?

[PushHands]

This might seem like an idiot question but before I go and purchase all this new hardware, including a new computer system, are you able to share a AOL broadband connection through a router? I've done it for cable internet access as well as DSL but for AOL, which my friend has, he says he has to "log on" to AOL. I've seen the process and its pretty much like using AOL dialup program.

The idea of going with a different broadband provider is out of the question since he's an older gentleman who has been on AOL for more years than I can remember.

What I was planning on setting up was to wire the computers just like I did in the past with cable internet and let one of the machine "dial in" to AOL through the router. Has anyone done this before.
And what about the other machines that need internet access while the first machine is "dial into" AOL?

Wish I could convince him to get rid of AOL, but there is no way that's going to happen right now.

 

[ribbon13]

He can still have AOL with a different broadband provider. AOL for broadband I believe? I'm unaware of how AOL's dsl works, but if its standard PPPoE, a lot of routers have that capability. You login to the router by ip addy (usually 192.168.1.1) and theres a section where you enter your username and password.

 

[PushHands]

I realize he can have AOL w/ a different provider as we've spoken about that and well.... he's too set in his ways right now so I'll have to wing him off slowly.

Thanks for the infor ribbon13. I'll begin my research there.

 

[Fardringle]

In many locations, AOL DSL uses PPPoA (Point to Point Protocol over AOL) instead of the standard PPPoE protocol. You may need to contact AOL to determine which protocol is used on his connection and if he is using PPPoA you'll want to make sure you get a router that supports that protocol since many consumer level routers only support PPPoE...

 

[SaintTigurius]

alot of AOL modems are routers,

change the ip of the router , (AOL should be 192.168.0.1, somthine other than that. )connect the AOL modem to port 1, install the AOL software on all pc, and u will use that software to get online.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
In many locations, AOL DSL uses PPPoA (Point to Point Protocol over AOL)

LOL. "over AOL".

PPPoE = Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet

PPPoA = Point to Point Protocol over ATM

Howvever when it comes to AOL every thing is possible.:thumbsdown:

In general PPPOA is the mode that the Internal PCI DSL Modems usually works with.
Most of the External DSL Modem use PPPOE (that is why many Routers dropped the PPPOA).

I would call and ensure that I get External Ethernet (not USB) PPPOE Modem, put it in writing so you can easily opted out if they send you some thing else.

:sun:

 

[htne]

To the original poster: The answer is NO, you CANNOT. Time-Warner Cable here in the Houston area allows AOL as an alternate ISP for their RoadRunner Cable modem. One of my customers opted for this service (AOL over cable) because he wanted to keep his AOL email address, which he had had for many years. You have to "login" to the AOL service on each individual PC, and AOL will not allow more than one "login" at a time. Computer A can login, and only after computer A logs out, then computer B can login.

AOL has a service called "bring your own internet". The fee is in the $5 a month range. What this means is that AOL is NOT your ISP, but while you are connected to the internet through a conventional ISP, you may login to AOL and retrieve your email or whatever that you wish to do on AOL.

I spoke to AOL on the phone about this, and they justify their weird position by saying, "We are not an internet service provider, we are an online service."

One other option is that they will sell you additional accounts for a reduced fee. I don't remember the exact amount, but they will sell you a second account for less than the primary account, and then you can have two computers logged in at the same time.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: htne
To the original poster: The answer is NO, you CANNOT.

The capacity to Login twice at the same time to AOL can not be named as Sharing Internet connection

As I understand from your description Login into AOL can not be done by a second computer if some one already logged in from another computer.

But what about sharing the Internet in General?

I.e. are you claiming that your friend is on RR and he can not share the Internet connection at large?

:sun:

 

[Fardringle]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
PPPoE = Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet

PPPoA = Point to Point Protocol over ATM

Howvevr when it comes to AOL every thing is possible.:thumbsdown:

In general PPPOA is the mode that the Internal PCI DSL Modems usually works with.
Most of the External DSL Modem use PPPOE (that is why many Routers dropped the PPPOA).

True enough on the standard definition of PPPoA. However, I've actually talked with AOL reps that told me they use a proprietary version of PPPoA that they call Point-to-Point Protocol over AOL. Since this issue is specifically with AOL I thought I'd spell it out that way..

Knowing the way AOL works, I wouldn't be surprised if the techs I've talked to are spouting BS or plain don't know what they are talking about. But I also wouldn't be surprised if it was the truth and AOL did it just to make things even more difficult for those of us trying to make an AOL DSL connection work with a different configuration than what AOL wants. For the most part, I have been able to get AOL DSL to work properly using a router that supports PPPoA.

 

[JackMDS]

Thanks Fardringle for the info.

LOL, that why I added the line: "Howvever when it comes to AOL every thing is possible".

:sun:

P.S. Would some one that has AOL service through a "Normal ISP" tell us what is the current status of general Internet Sharing?