Navas Cable Modem/DSL Sharing GuideTM

Part of the Navas Cable Modem/DSL Tuning Guide^TM

Copyright 1999-2017 The Navas Group^SM, All Rights Reserved.
Permission is granted to copy for private non-commercial use only.

Posted as <http://cable-dsl.navasgroup.com/sharing.htm>. 

Contents

• Introduction
• The Basics (1 Mbps phoneline)
  • ADSL
• Options
  • Higher speed (10 Mbps phoneline)
  • Wireless
  • Hardware Gateway
  • Better Security
• More coming soon!

Important Notes:

• This information was compiled by the author and is provided as a public service. The author is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any consequential problems that might result. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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• The author does not have the time to give individual technical support, so please do not email requests for assistance.
• Email comments and suggestions to John Navas.

Introduction

To share an Internet connection, you need three functions:

1. Gateway. Provides the capability to share a single Internet connection. Types of gateways include:
   1. Software running on one computer (e.g., Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing [ICS]). Drawback: The computer with the gateway software must be running for any other computer to access the Internet.
   2. Separate hardware device (e.g., NETGEAR Gateway Router RT311; sometimes called "SOHO router"). Most flexible method. May be integrated with a network hub.
   3. Integrated into modem (e.g., Westell WireSpeed). Lowest cost.
2. Network. Used to transfer signals between one or more computers and the ADSL gateway. The network can also be used to be used to shares files and/or printers as well as network games. Principal types of network include:
   1. Ethernet cabling (10baseT or 100baseT). Most common and efficient type of networking. Drawback: Running cables to a network hub.
   2. Phoneline networking (e.g., HomePNA). Lost cost; easy installation.
   3. Wireless networking (e.g., IEEE802.11b). Great flexibility. Drawback: Cost.
3. Security. Protection can be provided by:
   1. Gateway.
   2. Personal firewall software.

For low cost and ease of installation, the basic recommendation is for:

• 1c (gateway integrated into modem)
• 2b (phoneline networking).
• 3a+3b (gateway + personal firewall)

[Jump to Contents]

The Basics - ADSL

The Westell WireSpeed Modem, available from many ADSL providers, is compatible with DMT issue 2 (ANSI T1.413) technology, the most common DSL deployment. It can be upgraded easily and at low cost with Westell Webshare software to provide gateway functionality. (The Westell WireSpeed ADSL Ethernet Proxy Router is essentially the Westell WireSpeed Modem with Westell Webshare pre-installed.) Note:

• Westell WireSpeed will not work with CAP technology (the other principal form of ADSL) or with SDSL -- check with your DSL provider to be sure of what you have.
• Westell Webshare does not support VPN, PPTP or IPSec. (Could be an issue for telecommuting.)

The basic things you need:

1a1	Westell WireSpeed DMT ADSL External Ethernet Modem plus		Westell Store
1a2	Westell Webshare		Westell Store
	or
1b	Westell WireSpeed ADSL Ethernet Proxy Router		Westell Store
	AND
2	Farallon PN742-SP HomeLINE Ethernet Single Pack (bridge)
	AND
3a	Farallon PN744-SK HomeLINE USB Starter Pack for 2 computers
	and/or
3b	Farallon PN740-SK HomeLINE PCI Starter Pack for 2 computers
	AND
4	ZoneAlarm (for each Windows computer)	Free!	Download

Notes:

• USB is recommended over PCI for ease of installation if your computer has USB capability and is running a supported operating system (e.g., Mac OS, Windows 98/Me).
• The recommended Farallon products are HomePNA 1.0 compliant with a maximum speed of 1 Mbps, adequate for typical Cable Modem or DSL service. For more speed, see Option - Higher speed.
• You can mix and match individual USB and/or PCI adapters, which are also available, as well as adapters from other manufacturers that are HomePNA 1.0 or 2.0 compliant. (Speed will be limited by the slowest HomePNA device.)

Here's how to connect the equipment:

Note: More computers can be added to the phoneline network with USB and/or PCI adapters.

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Option - Higher Speed

The recommended Farallon phoneline products are HomePNA 1.0 compliant with a maximum speed of 1 Mbps, adequate for typical Cable Modem or DSL service. Newer (and more costly) HomePNA 2.0 compliant products are capable of 10 Mbps, which primarily benefits local file and printer sharing. Substitute:

2	NETGEAR PE102 Ethernet to Phone Line Bridge
	AND
3a	NETGEAR PA101 USB Adapter
	and/or
3b	NETGEAR PA301 PCI Adapter

Another HomePNA 2.0 alternative:

2	Linksys HPB200 HomeLink Phoneline 10M Ethernet Bridge
	AND
3a	Linksys USB200HA HomeLink Phoneline 10M USB Network Adapter
	and/or
3b	Linksys HPN200 HomeLink Phoneline 10M Network Card (PCI)

You can mix and match individual USB and/or PCI adapters, which are also available, as well as adapters from other manufacturers that are HomePNA 1.0 or 2.0 compliant. (Speed will be limited by the slowest HomePNA device.)

[Jump to Contents]

CHECK BACK FOR MORE INFORMATION, COMING SOON!

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