XP pro - DSL and Switch

  • Thread starter Thread starter Erik
  • Start date Start date
E

Erik

I'm networking two XP Pro computers together to share a
DSL connection through a switch with cat 5 cables. I've
run the networking wizards but for some reason I can only
use one computer's internet connection at a time and
never at the same time. I ran the network wizard on each
as running through a hub. Is a switch considered a hub? I
also tried it as a gateway with no luck. Any suggestions?
 
I think I see your problem. You are trying to share your
dsl connection on 2 computers using a switch, not a
router. Since you have only one IP address assigned to you
and you want to use 2 computer and a switch, you need to
set one computer up and enable internet connection
sharing, the other computer will then share the connection
and also get its IP from that computer. The downside of
this is the host computer has to be on to let the second
computer work, or buy a router. They are pretty cheap,
39.00 at best buy? I use internet connection sharing and a
2nd network card with a crossover cable to my second
computer for mine at home, don't even need a Hub, switch,
or a router.

David
 
Hey Erik,

Do you know if your switch is actually a standard switch,
or a combination router-switch?

DSL connections (mostly) use a connection type called
PPPoE (point to point protocol over ethernet) to control
your access to the internet, and thus you can't
simply "cascade" the internet down to other computers
through a switch. What you are going to want to do is get
a dsl router+switch. The DSL router part of the device
can then handle the PPPoE with your DSL provider (thus
establishing an internet connection) and the 'switch'
portion can allow you to have multiple computers sharing
said internet connection.

An example of such a device can be found here:

http://www.netgear.com/products/prod_details.asp?
prodID=136&view=hm

Typically you will get the 'switch' portion working first
(establish a LAN) and then you can use a computer on the
LAN to configure the 'router' portion. In this kind of
configuration, the computers will want to use settings
inherited via DHCP from the router... Hope this helps...



Elvin
 
For best results upgrade teh Switch to a Router/Switch.
The router will establish the PPPoE DSL connection, then
the two computers can be online at the same time.
Otherwise you will have to get a different type of service
from your ISP. Most ISP's give you one IP address or
basically 1 connection.
 
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