ADSL networking

guestt · Post by **guestt** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 8:24 am

There must be some geeks out there to help me!

We have an ADSL modem from Clix and want to know if there is some way we could use two PCs on the internet at the same time. Is there a splitter or adaptor available that would fit onto the modem. If there is what's it called and where can I get one. Have tried Faro but no-one knew and I couldn't see anything in Worten Portimao.

steve · Post by **steve** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 10:25 am

You need a router and then you can network two machines. Both machines can then access the net simultaneously and go to different sites. I bought a router from Vobis which had its own ADSL modem built in but you can get wireless routers which can be connected to an existing modem.

I went down the wireless router trail because it avoids the need for cable connections and my wife can use her laptop anywhere in the house (or even on the patio) to get online. But you do need transmitter cards or other plug-in transmitter devices on the computers to link to the router. The total cost of my system was about €190 but you can get cheaper kit.

The technical people at Vobis (next to Continente at Giua Shopping centre) speak English but the first guy I dealt with sold me the wrong router which could not be connected to my SAPO modem. The second one sorted it out but I think it cost me more than I needed to have spent because I had already bought some of the system and the quickest way out was to buy a router with a modem built into it.

I have found the computer shop in Lagoa next to Costa Santos the heating engineer to be very helpful. The techician I spoke to was fluent in English. I bought a new CD- RW for my PC there. If I had gone to Radio Popular at Guia I could have saved €2 but it would have cost me more than that in fuel and I doubt that I would have had the same level of advice.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 10:26 am

What you probably need is something called a Router.

Manufacturers like Belkin or Netgear make these things and frankly you may be better off getting a Router/Modem all in one (with Wi Fi even).

This will replace your Modem and plugs straight into the ADSL line (instead of your existing modem) then offers up to 4 ethernet cable links to the PCs and/or wireless connections to any number of wireless enabled PCs all at the same time. They only cost about £100 and some change in the UK. Remember if you're not wireless, you'll need additional ethernet cabling from the router to each PC.

Sorry, don't know where to source this in Algarve, but hopefully some of the above may help.

They are also surprisingly easy to setup if you follow the instructions carefully.

Good luck.

Tikoo · Post by **Tikoo** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 8:39 pm

Another option, & probably the cheapest, is to join both PC's with a "cat 5 crossover" cable in to network card slots. You MUST make sure you get "CROSSOVER" cable otherwise it wont work.

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:53 am

...then get a program like Wingate to run as internet server on the more powerful machine and run the second machine as a client. Instead of a crossover you can also just get a small HUB with 4 or 8 slots to make a small network.

There are so many ways to do it, but I would go with the previous comment about reducing cables - if you can afford wireless stuff, go for it. There is nothing worse than working on your IT system and suddenly the cable-medusa grips you and everything comes cluttering down as you struggle to free yourself from USB/parallel/crossover/VGA salad

guestt · Post by **guestt** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:11 pm

Many thanks to you all for sharing your knowledge. If I went for the easy option with the HUB what is it called ? Is it an ethernet hub?

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:50 pm

Its called a network HUB to link up computers with ethernet adapters.