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Endymion · A bridge too far...

I've just had installed a broadband connection to my home which means I don't have to use dial-up any more. Permanent connection at 512kB.
Does anyone else have anything like this?
Any problems with the service?

Quailman · His Postmajesty

I do not have that, but I have a related question. We have a second phone line at home (my wife is a realtor). She uses that line for her modem and a separate fax machine. She just got a new computer, so my kids are getting a new one. If we upgrade to DSL or cable connection, can we have two computers connected at the same time? Would we need special equipment?

Endymion · A bridge too far...

Here in the UK up to four computers can be connected to the one line, This would be the higher grade 2Mb DSL line (and you can still use the phone).

thunder · Daedalian Member

Quailman - I'm no expert but I think it depends on the company you use. Some allow 2 computers some allow more. As for equipment I think a network card (or maybe just a modem) needs to be installed in each PC.
I guess that didnt help much - did it? Basically check with the DSL company.

I have a cable modem at home. I've had it for a month and I have zero complaints. I know DSL is but more unreliable though.

Did I help either of you? I think Im just rambling on this morning. I'll stop now.

Vanyo · Daedalian Member

I got cable modem a couple months ago when I moved to PA.

My cable company charges an extra five bucks a month for a second IP address (i.e. a second machine hooked to their network).

With a single machine, you need a network card which gets connected to the modem.

If you get a second IP address, each machine needs a card, and they plug in to a hub (you buy). The modem also plugs into the hub.

What most people do is run one machine *the one connected to the modem) as a proxy. Then that machine needs two network cards (although I've heard claims you can do it with one). One card gets connected to the modem, the other card gets connected to a hub, and as many other machines as you like connect to the hub.

The only thing that sucks about my cable company is that I don't get a publicly accessable IP address, so I can't run a webserver for my home page (and I can't host java applets, for instance, on any free servers). Also, without the publicly accessible address, certain voice communication software doesn't work (although some do).

Of course, publicly accessible addresses can open you up for pesky intruders if you're not careful.

Vanyo · Daedalian Member

Oh, and I did try to install a second network card in my machine, but no go. Even though I had two available PCI slots, there was some sort of IRQ voodoo bad mojo going on. So I've got three machines, but my wife and I fight over the one with the internet connection.

I do love it though (cable modem access). Napster - couldn't do it otherwise.

Alfie · Bovine Member

I have one DSL connection servicing up to six computers at a time. We use a PPP connection. I have no complaints at all.