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2.1 Sharing - Using a Broadband Router

Most popular routers are:

Netgear RT311/RT314 (1-port/4-port)

Linksys BEFSR11/BEFSR41 (1-port/4-port)

SMC SMC7004BR/SMC7008BR (4-port/8-port) with built-in print server

If you already have a HUB, then just get a 1-port router. Still unsure of which router to get? Practically Networking has a comparison chart between different routers. Going wireless? The comparison chart is here.



For 1-port routers, the setup will look like









For 4-port routers (with built-in 4-port switch, the setup will look like



Note: Picture(s) compliments of Greywolf

by graffixx See Profile
last modified: 2001-11-05 21:39:59


The Draytek USB Router works with ADSL Modems

This router supports the following modems:

Alcatel Speed Touch USB (Bell South?)
V122.0K V131.4R V134.4R V140.3R
DynaMite USB modem
ECI USB Modem V1.10.0010.3E V1.11.0004Q-A V1.11.0007Q-A
Fujitsu USB Modem V1.10.0010Q V1.11.0007Q-A
Aztech DSL100U USB Modem V1.09.0001E
Asus DSL USB Modem V1.10.0010Q
Prolink ADSL Modem V1.09.0008E
Actiontec Home DSL Modem V2.10.27.0
Efficient Networks SpeedStream V1.2.1.39

- Home page Taiwan

- Homepage UK

- Review & Purchase

- DSLR thread of a satisfied user

by Jtmo See Profile edited by graffixx See Profile
last modified: 2002-04-22 20:43:18

Networking Your ATTBI Connection


Networking your ATTBI connection for an in-home network is not that difficult. Following the instructions below will have you sharing the broadband connection, files, and printers in no time.





Hardware Setup

The first step is to configure all the hardware. This includes the PCs and the router or router/hub and CAT5 cable connections. The set-up should look as follows for a multi-port router (i.e. a NetGear RT314) configuration


Figure 1 - Hardware Set Up with Multiport Router

or this for a single port router (i.e. a NetGear RT311) and hub configuration


Figure 2 - Hardware Set Up with Single Port Router and Hub




PC Network Settings Configuration
The next step is to configure the PCs. Below are steps to configure Windows 98/Windows ME and Windows XP PCs. Chose the one(s) appropriate for the PCs in your set-up. The first step is to select unique names for each PC. In the following examples, the Windows 98 PC is names BAKER, the Windows ME PC is named EPSILON, and the Windows XP machine is named ALPHA.

The names may be any alphanumeric combination, but it helps if you seek it simple. Common practices include naming the machines after Greek letters, the planets, or states. If you want, you can call them PC1, PC2, etc or Y837Ik, 234IopLi, and Friui4098 its up to you. You must also pick a common Workgroup name for the PCs. In the example below, the Workgroup name is ATTBI. It could just as easily be FRED or R3489Iuj. The important thing to remember is that for the PCs to share files and printers, they must share a common Workgroup name.



Windows 98/ME PC Configuration

PC Identification
To configure the Windows 98 or ME PC, right click on the Network Neighborhood icon on the desktop, and select Properties. In the pop-up window, select the Identification tab. The following examples show the screens that you can expect to see for each type of machine.

Set the desired Workgroup name and computer name in the appropriate boxes as shown below


Figure 3 Win98 PC Identification


Figure 4 - WinME PC Identification


IP Configuration
Next, select the Configuration tab. You have the choice of either using DHCP or setting your IP to a static value. I choose to use static values in my home network because it makes it very straight forward if it becomes necessary to map a port through the router to a particular machine. Set the IP to a static value as follows

Static
On the IP Address tab, click the Specify an IP Address radio button, and then set a unique, local IP value in a range that is recognizable by your router. The following is an example of PCs connected to a router (such as the NetGear RT314) with the NetGear default router IP address of 192.168.0.1. To be able to see the router, the IP selected must fit within the subnet of the router (in this case, and in most cases 255.255.255.0 will do for a subnet mask). As such, I have selected IPs of 192.168.0.3 and 192.168.0.5 for these PCs, and set the subnets to be the same as the routers subnet. Note that if you are using a LinkSys router, the default IP for the router is 192.168.100.1; therefore, if these PCs were to be connected to a LinkSys router, then IPs of 192.168.100.3 and 192.168.100.5 would be more appropriate. Note that you typically can set the private IP of your router to any of the private IPs that are standard, but I see no real benefit to changing it from the manufacturers default value, unless you are building a more complex network, which is beyond the scope of this writing.


Figure 5 Win98 PC Static IP Address


Figure 6 - WinME PC Static IP Address


Dynamic
If you chose to use DHCP, instead of specifying an IP in the above box, select the Obtain an IP address automatically radio button, and leave the lower boxes blank. This will allow your router to specify an IP for the PC (assuming the router is set-up to perform the DHCP function, as is the default for most home-use routers).

DNS Configuration

Static
Setting the DNS settings is similar. In the following example, I have chosen to set the DNS addresses statically as well, and have used a known good ATTBI DNS address (for the WinME machine, two known good ATTBI DNS addresses), and, as a final backup, a DNS from a local university. I could just have easily specified only the router, but in doing so, it adds additional work for the router, and when I have done in the past, it has led to DNS delays that result in slower loading of web pages. To add an address to the list, enter the address in the box immediately under DNS Server Search Order, then click the Add button. Note that the Host name and Domain name are filed in. This information is the same as is set in the router. This information can be set in your router, and does not have any default values. I choose to name the router RT314A, but could have called if Charlie if I wanted to. Consult your router set-up instructions for the method of doing this. The domain name that I set is the domain name that the router receives from the ISP. Again, consult the router instructions for how to determine and/or set this name. There seems to be some confusion as to whether or not it is necessary to set the domain name when using static DNS information. I am not an expert in this area, but I know that the performance seems more reliable with it set (in my case to attbi.com), so I leave it the way it is.



Figure 7 Win98 PC Static DNS Configuration


Figure 8 - WinME PC Static DNS Configuration

Dynamic
If you are using DHCP to obtain an IP address, instead of specifying fixed DNS servers, it is better to select the Disable DNS radio button, and allow the router to perform the DNS function, as is the default. This will allow your router to use the dynamically specified DNS server addresses that it receives when if connects to the ISP to resolve domain names for any computers for which it serves IPs.


Gateway Configuration

Static
The last item to configure is the gateway information. For a PC which is using a static IP, it will be necessary to specify the routers IP as the gateway, as is shown in the following example. Again, this example is for a NetGear RT314 router, with a default LAN side IP of 192.168.0.1. If a LinkSys router is used, it will typically have a LAN side IP of 192.168.100.1. Consult your router documentation if in doubt. To add an address to the list, enter the address in the box immediately under New Gateway, then click the Add button.


Figure 9 Win98 PC Static Gateway Configuration


Figure 10 - WinME PC Static Gateway Configuration



Dynamic
If you are using DHCP to obtain an IP address, there should not be any need to specify a gateway IP, as this is also provided by the router when it performs its DHCP service. As such, the above can be left blank.



WindowsXP Configuration

Configuring an XP machine is a little different.

PC Identification

To configure the WindowsXP identification, go to the control panel, and select the System Properties icon. A window similar to Figure 11 should appear. Select the Computer Name tab, and hit the Change button. A window similar to Figure 12 should appear. Set the desired computer name and Workgroup name, then click OK.


Figure 11 WinXP System Properties


Figure 12 WinXP Name Setting Window


IP and DNS Configuration

Static
The next step is to set the IP and DNS addresses for the WindowsXP machine.

From the control panel, select Local Area Connections. The following window should appear.


Figure 13 WinXP Local Area Connections

Click the Properties button, and the following should appear.


Figure 14 WinXP Local Area Connection Properties

Scroll to the Internet Protocol item in the stack, then click on the Properties button. The following window should appear.


Figure 15 WinXP IP and DNS Static Settings

Click the Specify an IP Address radio button, and then set a unique, local IP value in a range that is recognizable by your router. The following is an example of a PC connected to a router (such as the NetGear RT314) with the NetGear default router IP address of 192.168.0.1. To be able to see the router, the IP selected must fit within the subnet of the router (in this case, and in most cases 255.255.255.0 will do for a subnet mask). As such, I have selected an IP of 192.168.0.4 for this PC, and set the subnet to be the same as the routers subnet. Note that if you are using a LinkSys router, the default IP for the router is 192.168.100.1; therefore, if this PC were to be connected to a LinkSys router, then an IP of 192.168.100.4 would be more appropriate. Note that you typically can set the private IP of your router to any of the private IPs that are standard, but I see no real benefit to changing it from the manufacturers default value, unless you are building a more complex network, which is beyond the scope of this writing.

Setting the DNS settings is similar. In the above example, I have chosen to set the DNS addresses statically as well, and have used a known good ATTBI DNS address (for the WinME machine, two known good ATTBI DNS addresses), and, as a final backup, a DNS from a local university. I could just have easily specified only the router, but in doing so, it adds additional work for the router, and when I have done in the past, it has led to DNS delays that result in slower loading of web pages.

Dynamic
If you chose to use DHCP, instead of specifying an IP in the above box, select the Obtain an IP address automatically radio button, and leave the lower boxes blank. This will allow your router to specify an IP for the PC (assuming the router is set-up to perform the DHCP function, as is the default for most home-use routers). Similarly, if the IP is obtained dynamically, the DNS servers should be set dynamically as well, and the Obtain DNS server address automatically radio button should be checked instead.

Gateway Configuration

Static
The last item to configure is the gateway information. By clicking the Advanced button in the TCP/IP Properties window, the following window should appear. Select the IP Settings tab, and click the Add button in the Default Gateways section of the window. Specify the router address and click OK (not shown).


Figure 16 WinXP Gateway Configuration

Dynamic
If DHCP is used to get an IP address, this step is not necessary.





Testing the Internet Connections

After having completed the above steps, all your PCs should be able to access the Internet via the cable modem and router.

Test each to make sure that they are working properly. Assuming that you can access the Internet, I highly recommend that at this point you visit www.dslreports.com/tweaks and run a tweak test. This will let you know if there are any other changes that you can make to further improve your connection speed. The site provides excellent documentation and tools to help you maximize your broadband connection.





Sharing Files and Printers

To share files and printers across your home-network, it is necessary to ensure that file and print sharing are enabled on each PC. To determine if it is installed, perform the following.

Win98/WinME Machines

For Win98/WinME machines, again right click on the Network Neighborhood icon, and select properties.


Figure 16 File and Printer Sharing Item in Stack

If File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks is not included in the stack, it will be necessary to add it. This can be done by clicking on Add. The following will appear


Figure 18 Adding a Service

Next, double-clicking on Service, and the following will appear


Figure 19 Selecting the Service

Finally, select File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks. Be sure that you have your Windows installation CD handy, as files from the CD may be needed.

WinXP Machines

For WinXP machines, from the Local Area Connections properties window, if File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is not in the stack, click Install and follow the instructions as listed above for Win98/WinME machines.


Figure 20 File and Printer Sharing Item in Stack on XP


Setting Shares
In order to be able to share files, it is necessary to name a directory or drive on the individual computers and grant sharing privileges to that drive or folder. To do so, from Windows Explorer, select the drive or directory that you wish to share, right click on it and select Sharing from the pull-down menu. The pop-up window that appears allows you to set read/write access and is pretty much self-explanatory. Remember to set a share name to the item you wish to share.

If you want to share a printer, do the same from the Printers directory on the machine to which the printer is connected.

Once the printer is shared, it can be installed on other machines on the network by clicking Add Printer from the Start Menu->Settings->Printers window on each remote machine. To select the shared printer, after clicking Add Printer, click Next, select Network Printer, and then browse to the shared printer via the Browse button. The rest of the set-up is self-explanatory.





Sharing and Security

When sharing files on a home network that is also connected to the Internet, there is a valid concern that some of the data on the PCs in the network may be accessible by someone from outside the network. There are two ways around this.

Using NetBeui

One is to only allow sharing via a non-routable protocol, such as NetBeui. NetBeui is a network protocol that works well for small networks, and can be installed from the Network Neighborhood -> Configuration Properties tab by clicking Add -> Protocol -> Microsoft -> NetBeui. NetBeui does not come with XP, but information on how to install NetBeui on an XP machine is available from the Microsoft Knowledge Base under this article: Q301041.

Once NetBeui is installed, on each machine, it is necessary to ensure that file and print sharing only occurs under NetBeui.

To do this, from the Network Neighborhood Properties, Configuration Tab, select the TCP/IP > Network card item from the stack, and then click Properties. Select the Bindings tab, and ensure that only the protocol is not allowed to be used for sharing. Next, select the NetBeui > Network card item from the stack, and then click Properties. Select the Bindings tab, and ensure that only the protocol is allowed to be used for sharing.

Using TCP/IP
Using TCP/IP alone for sharing is possible, but it should not be performed unless additional firewall software is used, and the network is behind a router with a built in firewall. I recommend the use of ZoneAlarm, available from www.zonelabs.com. With ZoneAlarm installed on each machine, file sharing will still be possible, but each machine must be configured to allow access by other machines on either an IP by IP basis, or by use of a range of IPs. This can be done from the ZoneAlarm Security panel, by setting the Local setting to Medium, unchecking the Block Local Servers check box, and then clicking on the Advanced button and adding either the individual IPs of each machine in you home network to the list of allowed local machines under Other Computers, or by adding a range of IPs that covers all the machines in you home network to the list of allowed local machines under Other Computers. This must be done on all machines in order for protected access to be granted.

Additional Information Regarding File Sharing on XP Machines
Local area network access to an XP machine with a hard disk formatted in the NTFS format will limit the files on the XP machine such that users from other machines have access to; you may need to experiment with this a little to get the settings the way you like. There are certain files and directories on the XP machine that cannot be shared via the simplified method discussed herein, but for home networking purposes this should not be a concern. Generally, any files on the XP machine that you want to share should be placed in the "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents" directory or one of its subdirectories.

by rockotman See Profile edited by graffixx See Profile
last modified: 2002-05-19 15:34:23

1. Power down your routers and your modem and disconnect the modem from any router that it might be connected to.
2. Do the following steps with one computer connecting to each router and no Internet connection. Computer 1 to Router A, and computer 2 to Router B. Neither of these should be to Router Port 1.
3. Connect to each device via its computer and make the following configuration setting
Router A
Local IP = 192.168.1.1 (This is usually on the setup screen)
WAN or Internet should be set to Auto (Also usually on the setup screen)
DHCP Enabled (Usually found somewhere under Advanced Routing.)
Operating Mode Gateway (Also usually found somewhere under Advanced Routing.)
Router B
Local IP = 192.168.1.2
WAN or Internet should be set to Auto
DHCP Disabled
Operating mode Router
4. Power down both Routers.
5. Connect your Modem to the WAN port on Router A.
6. Turn on your modem. Let it establish connectivity.
7. Power up Router A.
8. Connect to Router A and do a DHCP client Release and Renew (Check under Status)
9. You should have an Internet connection from Computer 1.
10. Connect Router A to Router B via Router Port 1on each unit.
11. Power up Router B.
12. Connect to Router A and do a DHCP client Release and Renew.
13. Computer 2 should now have an internet connection.
14. Connect the rest of your computers to the remaining ports on either Router.
15. Check them for connectivity.
16. If necessary, do a DHCP client Release and Renew on each Router after connecting all computers.
17. They all should have Internet connectivity.
18. One problem though, and that is, any computers connected to Router A will not have access to the setup screen on Router B. Heres how to fix that.
19. DO NOT POWER ANYTHING DOWN.
20. Disconnect the modem from the WAN port on Router A and connect it to the WAN port on Router B.
21. Now everything should work.

Why? Because Router B, which is operating as a router not a gateway, will send the Internet data to Router A, which B recognizes as the Gateway and the DHCP server via the Port 1 uplink. Since nothing was powered down during the modem switch out all the IP addresses for the WAN connection are still sitting in Router A.
Remember if you must power things down, when powering back up, Modem, Router A and lastly Router B.

{this worked with 2 linksys routers}


Feedback received on this FAQ entry:
  • I have 3 routers running off my main router, heres how I have them setup. R1=main router. DHCP=auto. Dynamic IP Address=auto LAN IP=192.168.0.1 R2=kids room. DHCP=auto. Dynamic IP Address=auto LAN IP=8.15.200.3 R3=my room. DHCP=auto. Dynamic IP Address=auto LAN IP=10.26.19.74 R4=living room. DHCP=auto. Dynamic IP Address=auto LAN IP=192.168.1.1 R1 WAN port -->Internet R1 port 1 -->R2 WAN port R1 port 2 -->R3 WAN port R1 port 3 -->R4 WAN port Each network has internet access and cannot see the other networks computers, only the computers on the same network. I set DHCP range on R1 to 192.168.0.10. That way 192.168.0.1-192.168.0.9 are not controlled by DHCP and it uses those for the other router's WAN IP addresses. It works like a charm for me.

    2013-07-06 23:44:30

  • does this work on any routers?

    2011-12-04 03:44:37

  • Hi Hugh, thanks a lot I'll try this procedures.

    2011-04-05 19:30:35

  • Thanks heaps. Helped with Linksys WRT350N & D-Link DGL-4100. ed

    2010-11-12 22:35:05

  • Hi - I just waned to thank you for providing this tutorial. It saved me from a lot of frustration. Thanks!

    2009-05-19 14:08:34

by MrFixitCT See Profile edited by SYNACK See Profile
last modified: 2006-03-31 23:48:41