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Danuvius
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Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Toronto
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 Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject: Home Network with DSL (RPPPPOE) and 2+ Computers |
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I am planning to setup a home network between 2 computers (for now--more eventually). I need to network them, primarily because they need to share internet access through DSL (rppppoe), secondarily because I'd prefer not to have to email or burn files that may need to be transfered.
The part I am fairly sure about is that I need a router... the part I am unsure about is everything thereafter.
My understanding is that both the dsl line, as well as the computers will be plugged into the router, which will handle intranetwork traffic and internet access.
My questions:
!! Is it the router that logs in for the dsl line? I assume during some initial setup I would supply it with username/password information?
What do I need to look out for?
Security--any suggestions for securing this kind of setup to a reasonable degree?
Wireless routers--are they reliable enough to be useful... or would I just be downgrading my high-speed connection going that way?
Any other advice that you think someone in my situation could benefit from?
Thank you in advance! |
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transienteagle
Apprentice
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 190
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Is it the router that logs in for the dsl line? I assume during some initial setup I would supply it with username/password information? |
Yes it is. Normally you would set it up to connect to the ISP and leave it permanently on (provided that you have an unmetered connection of course)
Modern DSL routers are a combination of switch/router/dhcp server etc.
Configuration is really easy, most have web based interfaces.
| Quote: | | What do I need to look out for? |
Very little apart from "feature set". Pretty much any dsl router will work with any isp but do check with your provider. I did have one case where a British telecom router would not connect to a particular ISP (AOL if youre interested) but connected to everything else.
| Quote: | Security--any suggestions for securing this kind of setup to a reasonable degree?
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Look at the feature set of the router. Many now come with fairly comprehensive security capabilities. You could of course construct your own Linux firewall which would be a lot of fun.
| Quote: | | Wireless routers--are they reliable enough to be useful... or would I just be downgrading my high-speed connection going that way? |
Wireless is the only way to go (IMHO). All of my machines have wireless (totally brill)
I think that you will find setting up your router to be much easier that you imagine.
rgds
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NeddySeagoon
Administrator
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 54596
Location: 56N 3W
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| Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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Danuvius,
For two PCs you do not need a router.
You say you have DSL. What is the electrical interface to the PC
USB, Ethernet via UTP (RJ45 connector) or even an internal card?
I would use one PC to connect to the DSL and run a firewall with Network Address Translation, then add a Network Card to be the interface to your home network. You can then add one PC with a crossover cable, no switch/hub/router required.
You can add a switch when you add more PCs.
The drawback of plugging all the PCs into the router is that they all need firewalls.
_________________
Regards,
NeddySeagoon
Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail. |
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Dammital
Apprentice
Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | !! Is it the router that logs in for the dsl line? I assume during some initial setup I would supply it with username/password information? |
In my BellSouth DSL installation it was the "modem" itself (a Westell 2100 if I recall correctly) that provided routing and the PPP logins. However, I reconfigured it as a simple bridge sometime later and moved the PPP function to an OpenBSD firewall. (It was easier for me to handle DHCP address changes in the OpenBSD box.)
| Quote: | | What do I need to look out for? |
Your DSL carrier might take a dim view of any computer that isn't MS-Windows. I originally configured that OpenBSD firewall I talked about so that it would dual-boot W98 and OpenBSD. When the tech came out for the installation, I gave him carte blanche to the W98 box, then I set grub to boot the firewall after he left. If they ever raise a stink, I can give 'em a Windows environment to reboot.
Your DSL carrier might not allow you to run servers. BellSouth originally allowed me to operate a mail server on port 25, now they don't. Watch those TOS.
You will likely have the option to either split the phone line at the NID (on-site install) or place filters at each instrument in your home (user install). Those filters have an attenuating effect, as if you were farther and farther away from the CO or DSLM. I opted for no filters, and pulled my own CAT-5 line from the NID to my computer room. That made it unnecessary to add filters to all my phones, and meant that my DSL line wasn't dependent on the shoddy CAT-3 phone wire in my house.
| Quote: | | Security--any suggestions for securing this kind of setup to a reasonable degree? |
You aren't going to like my answer.
I came to despise my wireless setup. It was based on a SMC Barricade, an 802.11b device that was not all that reliable. It had a tendency to hang once or twice a week, requiring a power cycle (or as we used to say: Paradyne Master Reset). It would consistently hang during longish ftp uploads. Data rate wasn't very good, and I had difficulty passing 20 feet through two drywalls.
Because I was really paranoid about the potential of script kiddiez with yagis, I also installed SSH Sentinel - an IPSEC VLAN product - on the W98 boxes. Then I firewalled my internal (wired) OBSD and Linux boxes. That isolated everyone from persons who might have insinuated themselves onto my network, but it was a pain to install and maintain.
Last weekend I gave up and wired the upstairs. I could foresee a time when MythTV would exhaust the radio bandwidth I had, and I was tired of trying to outfox the (nonexistent? who knows?) wardrivers.
That OBSD firewall is neat. While your run-of-the-mill router will provide some isolation (via NAT), you can do so much more with a real stateful firewall. And you can produce some voluminous logs as well -- you'd be surprised at the sheer number of people who knock on your door all... day... long. Will a hundred-dollar SMC router work for you? No doubt. Is it worth your effort to build a fancy-schmancy firewall? Was for me; I sleep better.
| Quote: | | Wireless routers--are they reliable enough to be useful... or would I just be downgrading my high-speed connection going that way? |
Um, well see above. Any wireless setup you have will easily outpace your DSL, but reliability was an issue for me. And if you have any data of any size inside the household (that MythTV app I mentioned, or maybe some VOIP stuff) then you'll wish you had that 100Mb ethernet available to you.
I say bite the bullet and wire your house. Leave the wireless stuff for portable computers. |
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Danuvius
Guru
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Toronto
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:26 pm Post subject: Thanks |
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Thanks, Everyone!
I will investigate whether or not I can get away with going corded--yes, actually that is the more immediately troublesome method for me. The computers are in different rooms in the apartment, separated by fairly well-sealed doors... and the apartment being only rented, I am not too keen on making any sizable holes in walls here and there.
Is there some website where I can find reviews of wireless routers (or routers period) being used with linux boxes?
Thanks again! I'll let you know how it goes... probably will pick something up next week. |
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NeddySeagoon
Administrator
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 54596
Location: 56N 3W
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Danuvius,
Beware wireless in desktop PCs. You usually end up trapping the antenna between a metal box and a wall, which is the worst place for it. For desktop systems, get wireless cards tha support remote antennas
_________________
Regards,
NeddySeagoon
Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail. |
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Dammital
Apprentice
Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 3:54 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Is there some website where I can find reviews of wireless routers (or routers period) being used with linux boxes? |
There is much good information to be had on the forums at http://www.dslreports.com |
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