Router question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pat
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Pat

Is anyone familiar with the product Zoom ASDL 5551
It is an ASDL modem + Gateway + Router + Firewall for external use.

I have two computers in two different part of a building. The two are to be
linked together to access broadband and to access each others computer. One
computer is not depended upon the other to be on to access broadband.
However they are depended upon the other to be on in order for one computer
to access the other.

Is the product I have described be able for two computers to communicate
with each other?


Thanks
 
So let be clear about this, can I work on the other computer as if I am
sitting down at it?

Pat
 
Let me be very precise. First, here's the actual product description, this
is the basis for all my answers (
http://www.zoom.com/graphics/datasheets/adsl/ADSL_X4_5551.pdf ).

The product includes a 2-port LAN switch. You can use those two ports to
patch up to two computers, each w/ Ethernet cables to their respective
network cards. Since they are then connected *physically* to a common
switch, the PCs can *communicate* with each other, which is what you
intially asked. I was assuming, of course, these computers would be
connected to the Zoom unit as I just described, if not, you need to clarify.
If they are indeed connected in this fashion, then by definition, they can
*communicate* with each other (that's what a switch does). IOW, they can
share files, printers, and other resources (with proper authorization, of
course).

I might as well complete the picture here. You can also use one of the LAN
ports on that Zoom modem to patch a standalone hub or switch, or even a
wireless AP (Access Point). That way, you can have *many* PCs communicating
with each other, as long as they are all patched to the switch w/ an
Ethernet cable to their respective network cards, or if wireless, if they
have a wireless adapter. But you don't *have* to use a switch/hub or AP if
you don't want to, you can support a maximum of two computers by simply
patching them to the two available Zoom modem's LAN ports.

You've now thrown in another twist. You've now asked if you can sit down at
one computer as if your were sitting down at the other. That sounds like
someone who wants to "remote control" another computer, not just share
simple resources (files, printers, etc.), where you actually *see* the
screen display of the other computer, control its keyboard, mouse, etc.,
just as if you were physically present at the other computer. That requires
supporting software. In Windows XP, it's built-in and is called Remote
Assistance. For most other operating systems, it requires the purchase of
additional software, such as pcAnywhere, or Internet based GoToMyPC (
https://www.gotomypc.com/ ), to name a few.

HTH

Jim
 
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