Using a router for multiple computer Internet Access

with your DSL or cable modem connection

By Joshua Erdman
Digital Foundation, inc.

To use a router there is one requirement, the DSL or Cable-modem connection must be an Ethernet connection, it cannot be a USB device that plugs into your computer. If you do have a USB DSL modem or Cable Modem your only choice is to make your computer the router (this is called Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing).

The piece of equipment you need is the Linksys EtherFast® Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch (manufacture part no: BEFSR41). Other companies make similar devices but for simplicity we will stick with this.

On the back of this router are 5 plugs, one for the incoming high-speed access and 4 for your computers (even though there are only four ports you can connect up to 253 computers just by daisy chaining hubs and/or switches).

Now that you have the correct equipment, you will need to find the correct network settings for your router. These settings are usually provided by your ISP in a welcome package sent to you along with your DSL Modem or Cable Modem. We can also get these settings from your computer that is using the high-speed access already.

If your ISP has instructed you to use DHCP, you are in luck, the Linksys Router is already configured for this. All you have to do is plug your high-speed connection from your modem into the WAN port and then connect your computers to the 4 LAN ports.

DHCP allows your computer to get the settings it needs automatically from your ISP when you initially connect. So to take advantage of this the TCP/IP Network Settings for your computers must be set to "Obtain an IP address Automatically" and "Obtain DNS server addresses automatically".

If you have been assigned a bunch of network settings (or have a static IP address) then you are halfway there. Move on to the next article to learn how to set up your router.

References:

Multiple PC Internet Access when assigned a static IP

Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing

Article last reviewed: 07/19/2003

Created by: Digital Foundation, inc.

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