Connecting more than one PC thru NTL Cable

[old.Frag2]

Can anyone suggest the best way to connect more than one PC thru the NTL cable network. I have been looking at the tech specs of the Netgear RT314 router, but also I have seen a software package called winroute. I was hoping that someone who may be using either of these two(or another suggestion) may be able to advise which is best (and most cost effective). I want 2 PC's to talk to the net, and both of them being able to play games such as Q3, and Elite Force over the net at the same time. Any suggestions ?

 

[Testin da Cable]

I think a better idea would be to utilize an old pc (like a p100 or something) to solve your problem.
Don't buy a possibly expensive piece of hardware when you might have a sollution sitting under your desk gathering dust.
Software like 'winroute' for w32 products or, alternativly, any kind of Linux will solve your prob in an instant.

-tdc

 

[old.Frag2]

All the old PC's I had I dumped, I don't want them cluttering up the joint. I'm thinking of getting Winroute, and installing a second network card in me main PC loike. If anyone out there is running winroute over NTL let us know how well it runs. Cheers..

 

[old.GateKeeper]

DONT USE WINROUTE!!!!!!!!!!!

Its a poxy proxy!!!

If you aren't running win2k server then the next best thing is SyGate (Crack is on Astalavista)

If you are win2k server than use NAT in that with a firewall of course!

But the best solution is to have a 486 running some cut down version of Linux (i use OpenBSD for our gateway) and set it all up in that - it runs sweet and U can do the maintinance via telnet!

GAteKeeper

 

[old.Frag2]

I was led to believe that you don't have to enable the proxy server part of winroute to be able to access the internet. This option was put on for those peolpe that don't have a fast connection to the net. Heck, if I have been misled here then I need to know. Also, yeah ok so it may be possible for me to dig a pentium 133 out of the loft to use as a dedicated gateway but I was really hoping not to have to do this (space limitations) + I intend to use Win 98 SE or the latest release of ME - Answers on a postcard please......

 

[Testin da Cable]

that would be great actually.
with a linux or bsd installed and running, it won't even need a mouse/keyboard/monitor

in fact, there are linux based firewalls that run off a floppy with minimal configuration. all you need is a second nic connected to a hub and you're off

 

[Perplex]

Right, here ya go:

Option 1) Proxy own machine

Option 2) Independant gateway machine

Option 3) Cable Router (ala netgear or the linksys one)

Option 1: Most straight forward, drawbacks are that your machine has to be on if anyone else wants to access the internet. Also means only your machine can host "servers" such as games and ftp etc

Option 2: This is quite nice, means you can turn you can turn your PC off unlike option 1. Drawback is that none of the machines on the network will be able to server host (due to NAT)

Option 3: Most expensive, cable router is about 150 quid. However, it offers the best of options 1 and 2. First, no machine has to be permanently on, and second you can choose ONE PC connected to the router to act as an internet facing server, meaning you can host games/ftp/http etc.

Your choice, if you have the money, option 3 gives you the best features and benefits. If you are poor, take options 1 or 2, but decide what you can live without; pc noise or no server hosting.

 

[Testin da Cable]

Option 2: This is quite nice, means you can turn you can turn your PC off unlike option 1. Drawback is that none of the machines on the network will be able to server host (due to NAT)

wrong
there is such a thing as port-forwarding.
it isn't hard to do [I do this myself with my servers ]

 

[old.GateKeeper]

I agree with TDC i run an Ftp, http and web cam on a separate machine on my LAN - all U have to do is set up port forwarding in the NAT table - 1 line per server is usually enough

GAteKeeper

 

[bids]

I'm using Winroute on my NTL cable setup.

I have a Win2k, Win98 and Linux box all running through it fine - not had any problems. Real benefit about is that on the client side you only have to set the default gateway to the machine with the cable connection. I have the Proxy turned off, and getting pings of 20-30 on the other boxes - well impressed with it

 

[Perplex]

Originally posted by testin_da_cable
Option 2: This is quite nice, means you can turn you can turn your PC off unlike option 1. Drawback is that none of the machines on the network will be able to server host (due to NAT)

wrong
there is such a thing as port-forwarding.
it isn't hard to do [I do this myself with my servers ]

Fair point. I'm used to running AIX and HP/UX boxes myself, not linux. Sure with a bit of arsing around I'd figure it out, however, I should imagine that it's not too newbie friendly, what with having to gain a basic understanding of the IP stack, tcp/udp port assignments, and actually instating the forwarding on the box itself.

As all he's mentioned have been windoze soloutions, I suggest the cable router option to be the easiest option, with minimum of casualties.

hmmm, I need more sleep

(btw...it's just dawned on me just how woefully inadequate the smilies are)

 

[old.Frag2]

Ok Heres the story

1 ) I have absolutely no knowledge (that is of any relevance) of Linux, OpenBSD, or any other unix based system (Its been at least 3 years since I have touched one).

2) I decided to take that leap of faith out of the hands-on world of Engineering, and into management about 18 months ago (Man do I miss the Technical stuff - But I do get to see the family now hehe), so I may be slightly out of touch with current technical issues.

3) I'm gonna go with the winroute option first to see how well it runs, after all its gonna cost me nowt to try it (Good old Astalavista).

I thank you all for you valued input, and I'll post here how well it goes. I'll keep on checking this page to see if anyone posts any more ideas

Cheers

 

[old.Frag2]

uurmmm....... I havn't done it yet

I need to upgrade the second machine, as it is only a P200MMX, with 64Mb Ram, and a 3Gig H/Drive, and a crappy can't remember make of video card, and soundblaster 128.

I'm spending to much money getting the flipping garden done, so I'll get round to it the next time the computer fair is back in Town so I can get some cheap parts.

 

[Testin da Cable]

good luck m8

 

[old.Frag2]

I finally decided to go down the computer fair on Saturday and purchase some bits to upgrade my 200MMX - I now have a Celeron 433 with 128 Megs memory. I installed a second NIC card (3c509C-tx) into my main machine, and installed Winroute Pro. It literally only takes a couple of minutes to setup, disable proxy, and enable NAT on the NIC that is connected to the cable modem, and bang - my PC upstairs now connects to the internet as well. Currently working is HTTP/FTP, ICQ, and Messenger - will be testing the gaming side either tonight or tomorrow. But it looks as though Winroute pro is going to dow the job lovely.

 

[Testin da Cable]

well done

 

[old.Frag2]

Ok - Just thought I would give you a little update

A friend came down to stay for the weekend, and bought his PC with him. Hooked it up - connected it to the hub - set it to dynamically assign IP - (be careful here the surfboard modem also has a DHCP server as well, and sometimes this can assign the IP, and then DO'h no connection to the outside workld for your other PC's) - Anyway booted his machine - wham straright onto the net, ICQ running, + MSN Messenger - then started Elite Force - we were both running around the BW servers with pings of about 30-50 well impressed - Try doing that thru' a 56K modem.

I am currently using Winroute Pro with NAT enabled and proxy disabled, and I have 2 3com 3c509TX NIC's

 

[old.Butchy2000]

My ADSL just uses WinME's Internet Connection Sharing over a 100mb/s FastEthernet LAN. Works fine. we can all do our own little thing or invade one internet server If i have a lan party.

 

[]SK[]

we got a Dlink DI704
For some reason the thing wouldnt pick up a dynamic IP address, even though its configured to. Set it up properly but it doesnt wanna know. I think NTL must have done something to stop people creating a LAN behind the broadband connection. NTL do specify somewhere that its not to be used this way.

 

[Perplex]

Nope. They say that they don't support home networks. IE: if you call them with a tech support call, if it's all plugged into a LAN, they'll tell you to get lost and hang up without helping you (because most of them know fuck all about it)

 

[bids]

Isn't that a standard response from NTL tech support anyways

 

[Perplex]

heh