Recommend adsl modem and/or router please

[Easy1]

Considering adsl with CenturyTel, my only broadband option. They are offering $30/month for three months, then jumps to $50 for duration of one year contract. Also free install and half off Westell 2110 modem ($120-$60 rebate=$60). I wonder about this modem. It doesn't seem that great. Telco advises I can use what I wish but it must have AllTel chip. I know nothing about wideband security, or more accurately, just enough to be concerned. I currently have two systems (one xp one 98) connected via xover cable and both can connect via dialup. I thought a modem/router combo would be best but maybe I can just throw in another NIC to connect their modem, keep the xover in place and do a software firewall? I am in unknown territory and I would be grateful for any equipment or connection suggestions.

 

[Soybomb]

From what I've seen there isn't anything wrong with the westell.

 

[JackMDS]

A Modem/Router one unit combo is not a ?Hot Idea?, it is greatly reducing your flexibly of future network configurations.

Regular Cable/DSL Routers are very inexpensive these days. (Starts with $19 after rebate).

The Modem is an issue. This is what is available on the free market. DSL Modems Direct to you

Take into consideration that the ISP tends to refuse to give you tech. service if you do not get a modem that is on their specific list.

AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

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

 

[ALstonLoong]

The trick is to bind TCP/IP only as a Client to Microsoft Networks, and to bind the File, and Printer Sharing only to NetBEUI. Doing so decrease the probability of your files been world wide available through the Internet.

can someone explain to me about this ? thanks ..iam using xp ... wat i dont understand is ..how to blind ?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: ALstonLoong
The trick is to bind TCP/IP only as a Client to Microsoft Networks, and to bind the File, and Printer Sharing only to NetBEUI. Doing so decrease the probability of your files been world wide available through the Internet.can someone explain to me about this ? thanks ..iam using xp ... wat i dont understand is ..how to blind ?

LOL this quote seems very familiar.

You have to install NetBEUI

Where is NETBEUI in WinXP?

After Installing, NetBEUI appears in the list of available protocol, there in no properties for NetBEUI since there is nothing to configure.

It should look like this: Network Properties

To make NetBEUI the Default sharing protocol in WinXP.

Right-click on the:

"My Network Places" on the desktop to display the "Network Properties"

In the Network Properties Window, pull the Advance Menu, and click on advanced settings.

It looks like this: Network Advance

Choose the Adapters, and Bindings tab.

Hi-lite Local Area Connection.

The lower part of the windows shows you the available Shares and Protocol.

NetBEUI has to be in first position in both settings, to be Default Protocol.

You make it first by Hi-lite NetBEUI, and move it up using the Arrow on the right side.

Uncheck the TCP/IP binding from Sharing.

It should look like this: Biding in WinXP

 

[ALstonLoong]

thanks million ! Is netbeui really neccessary for local lan security ? cause i already have a router in my network .

 

[JackMDS]

It depends how the system is used.

On a small Network 2-5 computer, using NetBEUI as the local default improves somewhat the ?Speed? of transfer.

Under normal situation with a Router, and software Firewall it is not adding too much.

However if you keep ports open for applications, or allow access to your system from the Internet, and or use the DMZ it adds a lot.

 

[ALstonLoong]

yes i do have a small network of 4 pcs . I am using adsl .. i wonder if i enable Client to Microsoft Networks, my network will expose to internet right ? My previous ISp is cable, the tech told me to unable my Client to Microsoft Networks so my local lan wont expose to other cable user. Is that correct ?

 

[JackMDS]

Cable by the nature of the medium is more dangerous than DSL.

If you do not use a Router, or Firewall, and your file, sharing is via TCP/IP it is as if your computer is part of you are your cable node. I.e. your neighbors can see the content of your Hard Drive.

In case of DSL, it is less dangerous since people have to make the effort to get you.

Additional info here: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

 

[ALstonLoong]

thanks for all the info ..makes me know more about network.

Let say one of my pc is using netbeui for local file sharing, Does other pc have to install netbeui protocol too ? or they can use tcp/ip for file sharing ? all pc in the same local network have to set the same protocol for file sharing ?

THANKS !

 

[JackMDS]

All the computers on the Network need to be set with NetBEUI the same way.

 

[TheJTrain]

JackMDS, why do you want NetBEUI to be the default Client for MSFT Networks protocol? Wouldn't we still want TCP/IP to be the default for that service, or better yet, only use TCP/IP for that (unbind NetBEUI for Client for MSFT Networks)?

Also, regarding NetBEUI vs. IPX/SPX - this page mentions that IPX/SPX might be a better idea for Sharing than NetBEUI. Trouble is, both that page and this one advise readers to unbind TCP/IP from Client for MSFT Networks, so now I'm confused - TCP/IP still needs to be bound to that for Internet access, correct? This one is confusing too, as in one place it suggests to leave TCP/IP active since you need it for Internet access, and in another place it says you don't need it at all! Help!

Thanks for all the great answers lately,
Jason

 

[ALstonLoong]

According to the link provided by jackMDS ....

NetBEUI is s simple protocol that counts only on local computer names (no IPs to set), and thus it is not Routable to the Internet. In other words, you Hard Drive content cannot be ?shared? from your computers over an Internet connection.

Beside that i am just on a small home LAN ..just 4-5 pcs .

 

[JackMDS]

TCP/IP is needed for Internet and multiple player games.

No TCP/IP, No Internet.

In time with changes in hardware and software, situations concerning the use of computers changes. The relation between TCP/IP and NetBEUI and the way protocols are implemented is much better in WinXP than in Win98.

Parcticallynetwork.com is my favorite Network related site. However, the majority of the articles were written before Broadband Internet connections became so available and popular.

If you noticed the page that you refer to Should I use NetBeui? is not showing the settings of WinXP. WinXP was released in August of 2001. It means that some of these pages were written on or before the middle of 2001.

Beside NetBEUI has a "bad name" with the ?professional plumbers? (and rightfully so). As a result writers who usually are Network Pros, are reluctant to deal with NetBEUI even when it is appropriate for small Entry Level LANs. Spidey07 (one of the gurus on this board) is one of the few that have more balanced approach to the issue.

 

[dmcowen674]

q]Originally posted by: JackMDS
A Modem/Router one unit combo is not a ?Hot Idea?, it is greatly reducing your flexibly of future network configurations.

Regular Cable/DSL Routers are very inexpensive these days. (Starts with $19 after rebate).

The Modem is an issue now this is what is available on the free market. DSL Modems Direct to you

Take into consideration that the ISP tends to refuse to give you tech. service if you do not get a modem that is on their specific list.

AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?[/quote]

Originally posted by: Easy1
Considering adsl with CenturyTel, my only broadband option. They are offering $30/month for three months, then jumps to $50 for duration of one year contract. Also free install and half off Westell 2110 modem ($120-$60 rebate=$60). I wonder about this modem. It doesn't seem that great. Telco advises I can use what I wish but it must have AllTel chip. I know nothing about wideband security, or more accurately, just enough to be concerned. I currently have two systems (one xp one 98) connected via xover cable and both can connect via dialup. I thought a modem/router combo would be best but maybe I can just throw in another NIC to connect their modem, keep the xover in place and do a software firewall? I am in unknown territory and I would be grateful for any equipment or connection suggestions.

Easy 1, since you only have 2 machines running now you wouldn't need any extra equipment. The Zoom X4 has both USB and Ethernet live at the same time so you can just plug both Computers in and you're off and running. The Westell is OK but does not have USB and Ethernet live at the same time so you would have to set up a small Network as you were talking about above just for 2 PC's.

What CenturyTel was trying to say was that the Modem has to be an Alcatel Compatible DSL Modem in that it will connect to an Alcatel DSLAM that provides the DSL signal. The Zoom series is compatible with all Major DSL DSLAMs especially the Alcatel unit as it was first on the Market and the most deployed DSL in the world including the U.S.

 

[TheJTrain]

Ok, thanks. I think I figured it out - in the Advanced Settings tab you can unbind both protocols from Client for MSFT Networks 'cause that has nothing to do with Internet access. When you go to Network Connection Properties, Client for MSFT Networks is unchecked, but TCP/IP is still checked (even though there are no bindings for it in the Advanced Settings tab), and Internet is coming through (obvious, as I'm posting right now!). So I've got that part - when does one need to bind Client for MSFT Networks to anything? In an office environment where an administrator needs access to a user's PC, etc.? I'm just dealing with a home LAN for sharing DSL and a few files, soon to add a webserver as well.

Thanks again!
Jason

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah, you are right. You do not need to bind TCP/IP to anything, since each computer uses the Internet through the Router on its own.

What make it easy in WinXP?

If necessary (for games), you pull the menu again and check TCP/IP.

It takes few seconds and no need to boot.

 

[Easy1]

What CenturyTel was trying to say was that the Modem has to be an Alcatel Compatible DSL Modem in that it will connect to an Alcatel DSLAM that provides the DSL signal. The Zoom series is compatible with all Major DSL DSLAMs especially the Alcatel unit as it was first on the Market and the most deployed DSL in the world including the U.S.

Thanks. I know nothing about it so assumed Alltel was a modem chipset or something I did google searches and found nothing. I could not figure out what they wanted for the life of me. That really doesn't reflect very well on CentutyTel. Thanks again for the clarification and to those who recommended the Zoom products. I have read the Westell has lockup issues here http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/#SyncNosurf I also read on usenet (comp.dcom.xdsl) the Westall has "problems" and it is evidently not shielded so EMI/RFI issues can be a concern. I guess it isn't a huge problem but I prefer not to deal with potential lockups and/or placement restrictions so I intend to avoid this one.