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DSL connection sharing
DSL is now
available in some form to just about anyone in a metro area. DSL
comes in many flavors, speeds and service
levels. For
the most part, common DSL connections fall fall into categories -
Standard, USB and AOL-DSL.
Getting DSL
Subscribing to DSL is easy on the Internet.
Companies are falling over backwards trying to get folks to sign up.
I ended up with DirectPC on
my network because they were one of the few places that could reach
my home at a reasonable price. Features
DSL features are all about the 'package' you
purchase. Download speed, upload speed, IP address' etc are all
selectable. Soon other kinds of services will be available like
video on demand and voice communications (VOIP).
Faster is better of course - on the upload and
download side. If you plan to run a game server or plan to send
files to people often - the basic 128k upload speed will probably
not be fast enough for you. Try to find a service with at least a
256k upload path. If you own a ReplayTV 4000 and want to send shows
to friends, get as fast of an upload path as you can afford. For
game servers, figure 48k of bandwidth per user.
Sharing the connection
AOL-DSL
Sharing All DSL services
are easily shared with software
or hardware
EXCEPT AOL-DSL. AOL decided to implement a
custom version of PPPoE that broadband routers do not work with.
(See this article about 'bringing your own DSL service to AOL)
USB-DSL Modems
Sharing First, check to see if your modem also
has an Ethernet port on it. It might be labeled 10/100 or LAN and
look like a large telephone jack. If your DO have one, then your
modem does both Ethernet and USB - your options are open for
connection sharing because any broadband router will work with it.
Options are Open
Unless you have a USB modem or AOL-DSL, your
options are complely open when it comes to sharing your cable modem
Internet connection
A Note on PPPoE
Many DSL modems use an authentication and
communication model called PPPoE. Your DSL connection probably uses
PPPoE if you need a 'login and password' to connect to the Internet.
Although sharing a PPPoE connection was difficult a couple years
ago, all broadband routers have installed PPPoE supporting serviced
in their routers and work very well.
A Note on Multiple IP address'
Some DSL providers will give you more than one
IP address - often 4 or 5. These IP address can be used for other
computers so you do not need a broadband router or other sharing
solution. Be aware though, file sharing across such a network is not
safe. If you have multiple computers connected to a DSL modem
through a simple router or a switch, disable file and print sharing
and run a firewall on all computers. Having a broadband router in
place allows you to transfer files safely and acts as a basic
firewall to your whole network.
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DSL Connection Sharing
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