Questions about our network setup at work.

[blurredvision]

I work in a small shop, with about 10 PC's and a Mac total. A long story short, the owner has recently discovered that we've been getting ripped off on our internet service for a few years now, and wants to switch ISP's. Not only will this save $30 a month, but will upgrade us from 768/128 to 3Mb/384. The network was originally set up by a local computer company, who set up this raw deal in the first place, so we're trying to bypass them.

The boss has asked me to hopefully take care of this on our own, but my issue comes in with very limited knowledge of networking. I've set up my own home network at home, but this doesn't go past one wireless router and at most 3 computer hooked up. I'm hoping to describe what kind of setup we have at the moment, and someone can guide me to correctly to make sure I'm purchasing the right thing.

We currently have a very old D-Link DI-701 iSHARE Gateway, which is what I'm looking to replace. Our old DSL modem is hooked into the D-Link, and our current DSL is not PPPoE, which is where our problem comes into, as I can't find anywhere to change PPPoE info in the D-Link. The Local output on the D-Link is hooked into a Netgear 8 port hub, whch is chained into another generic looking 8-port hub.

We're looking to replace the D-Link gateway with something that will give us PPPoE capability for the new DSL, plus hopefully add in some wireless incase the owner needs it for any reason down the road. What exactly do I need to look for in replacing the D-Link, another gateway, or would a regular wireless router work? Or do I have it all completely wrong? Any suggestions on which hardware is the best to work with?

I'd appreciate any advice on this. On a side note, I've already told the owner that I wasn't 100% sure on whether I could get it working, and to be prepared to possibly pay the local guys I mentioned to come out and fix it, which he was fine with. So give me what you got fellas.

 

[JackMDS]

I never came across a Cable/DSL Router that was manufactured in the last four years that would not support PPPOE.

The Dl-701 with firmware 2.2 support it as well, http://www.dlink.com.au/tech/faq/di701_11-16.htm#q13

In many units, the word PPPOE would not appear in the main menu. However if it mention DSL it is usually PPPOE.

In any case if you want a more recent unit that is Wireless too this might help, Wireless What Should I Get?

The same arrangement that you have at home can work with 10 computers as well.

However, WinXP pro is limited to 10 concurrent Network connections.

Therefore, the next step depends on how, and what the Network is used for.

Might be that you can stay with peer to peer and 10 computers, but you should consider Windows Small Business Server in case you are anticipating expansion, or and your current needs exceed peer to peer Network.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx

:sun:

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
I never came across a Cable/DSL Router that was manufactured in the last four years that would not support PPPOE.

They've had this same D-Link gateway for quite some time (maybe 5 years, but not sure). I've just checked the firmware, which is 2.0, so that's why I'm not seeing any PPPoE settings (or anything like it), which led me to believe it wasn't compatible. We were lucky to find the original CD in order to even access the settings to the thing, as this is the first router/gateway I've seen that you can't access via a web browser and IP.

As far as upgrading to Windows Server 2003, that's not something we're looking to do. Peer-to-peer works fine for what we do, although thanks for the suggestion 🙂.

Also, thanks for the link to your site, but I'm still confused on what is possibly the easiest thing. Do I need to look for a regular wireless "router" in order to replace the D-Link? I'm just confused since the D-Link says it's a gateway, and I'm not really up on the differences between gateways, routers, hubs, switches, etc.

Thanks Jack, you are the man.

 

[nweaver]

Gateway and router (in the SOHO world anyway) are all just natting routers, designed to set a group of computers behind a single public IP

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: JackMDSI'm just confused since the D-Link says it's a gateway, and I'm not really up on the differences between gateways, routers, hubs, switches, etc.

Yeah, you, and me, and millions others.

Using terms out of the mainstream context is one of the "Miserable Ploys" used by Entry Level Network's Hardware manufactures.

The pages below were written a while ago. Ignore the prices and the Hardware recommendations, stick to the principles.[/i]

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?
(Ignore the prices in the above link).

The whole thing should look like this.

http://www.ezlan.net/network/router.jpg

:sun: