Question about DSL, routing, and wireless

Factual Questions
1

OK, so here’s the story. My girlfriend and i have just moved in together, and we’re trying to sort out our internet connection. When we lived separately, she had dial-up and i had DSL. We ordered DSL for our new place, and it’s up and running on my computer, but here’s where the problems started.

Because i had DSL service for over a year, Verizon let me keep my old DSL modem. Then, when my girlfriend signed up for Verizon DSL at the new place, they shipped us another one.

“Great,” i thought, “now we can each use a DSL modem to connect.”

Not so.

Apparently, two modems cannot use the same line at the same time. According to the chap at Verizon, the only way to hook up two computers on one account is to use a single modem with a router.

And here’s the next problem. My girlfriend’s computer, a laptop, doesn’t have an Ethernet card. Initially, when i thought we could each use a different modem, i was just going to set her computer up to use the USB cable on the DSL modem. But now we need a router, and i don’t think that there are any routers with USB capability.

Next, we also considered getting a wireless card for her laptop, so she can connect from anywhere in the house, as well as on campus. So, here are my questions:

  1. Is it a case of installing an ethernet card or a wireless card on her computer, or does wireless connection require both and ethernet card and a wireless card?

  2. Do wireless routers also come with wired connections, i.e., if she gets set up for wireless, can we buy a wireless router that will also connect by cable to my computer?

  3. Does anyone know if there are any routers that allow USB connection (which would eliminate the need for her to get ethernet)? Also, how good is USB connection for DSL? I don’t know much about the way this stuff works, but someone told me that USB probably won’t work as well as an ethernet connection.

If anyone could give me any advice on this situation, i’d be most appreciative. I didn’t want to leave myself completely in the hands of the Radio Shack dude, who is more interested in selling me stuff than in keeping my costs down.

BTW, in case it matters, our computers’ specs are:

My desktop: PIII 733Mhz, 256RAM, WinME
Her laptop: PII 266MHz, 128RAM, Win98

2

You do not need both for wireless. You’d use your wireless card to access a wireless network, and a regular ethernet card to access a land-line. And, for a laptop, you shouldn’t have to install a card like you would on a normal PC. It’s literally a little card that you pop in and out of your laptop as needed.

Yes, some do. Here is an example. (Note: this is not an endorsement. I know nothing about this product.)

You can get USB adapters for your PC. You’d run a line from your router to the adapter, then plug the adapter into your PC’s USB port. It won’t be quite as fast as a normal connection, and it’s easier to accidentally pull out, but overall a good alternative.

3

That Linksys router and a wireless LAN card for the laptop will do just fine. The card for the notebook will be about $50 - you may even run across bundled deals of a wireless router and a card. There are several brands of these things - I’ve had good luck with Linksys. It’s not absolutely necessary to have the router and wireless LAN cards be from the same company, but if this is your first stab at networking, I recommend it, if only to prevent blame-passing if something’s not working. There’s nothing worse than a router maker saying the problem is with the LAN card - keep them the same brand so you can reply back “Well, the LAN card is your product also.”

I get the impression your desktop already has an Ethernet connection. You’ll just connect the laptop to the router with a standard LAN cable and be done. Be careful with the notebook card though - manufacturers are starting to drop support for anything that runs on 98. Happily, the WPC11 card that shows up on that Amazon page as an “accessory” for the router is listed as working with 98.

Another benefit you’ll see with using an external router is that you won’t need to use “enternet” or whatever software you may have needed when the DSL modem was direct-connected to your PC. This will free up a sizeable amount of system resources.

4

Thanks for the advice, folks. Just a couple of follow-up questions.

The first customer review for that Linksys router that jmizzou linked to complains that the wireless connection is not “blazing fast” at 11Mbps. Correct me if i’m wrong, but this seems more than fast enough to deal with the full capacity of my DSL connection. Running speed tests on my connection, i usually get a download speed of around 700 kilobits per second, which, if my knowledge and my math are correct, works out to around 85 kilobytes per second. I assume that if we buy this router, and my girlfriend and i are both using our connections at the same time, we should each get a download speed of around 40 kilobytes per second?

I do indeed already have ethernet on my desktop; the main decision we’re making is what option to take for the girlfriend’s laptop:

  1. Normal router with a USB adapter on her line.
  2. Normal router, plus ethernet card for her computer.
  3. Wireless router, plus wireless card for her computer.

Based on what i know right now, the wireless option seems to be the best way to go, as it will give good performance without a great price increase over the other options.

I don’t quite understand this. Could you elaborate?

5

Enternet is the software that your DSL provider sent you in order for your computer to access the internet. It may ask you to input your logon name and password each time you want to connect to the internet.

What the external router does is input your logon name and password for you on its own so you don’t have to.

Of course, this is oversimplifying, but the visible benefits are that you don’t have to 1) logon each time you want to connect to the internet through your DSL provider and 2) waste system resources running this piece of software.

6

I work in VOL tech support, I’m the person you speak with when you call. If mhendo lives anywhere but the east coast then they do not use PPPoE, and it’s only straight DHCP (Ex-GTE area). Although Agape is right about how a router can be useful for keeping the same IP (since you are dynamic) and saving the hassle of auth’ing. Mhendo may not need that functionality and if he is in the Ex-GTE area there is not any PPPoE software on any of the cd’s he has rcv’ed. Truth be told you could use one modem on two computers since it sounds like you have the westell combo. Ethernet to one and USB to the other. The only problem is you will pull two IP address from the DHCP server. We just rcv’ed a service alert not to long ago on how VOL will be warning these customers, then shutting off their service if they do not get a router or disconnect one of the computers. But you could do it that way until you get a warning or a router solution.

And since I’m popping in here, let me give you some advice if you ever have a problem with your DSL service. If you ever have to call in and an agent mentions sending a ticket to the repair center if you insist that the agent get you in touch with repair then we have to do it. It may save you a 48-hour waiting time frame. Also if they refuse, only because they might not be aware of the policy, ask to speak to a sup that will get you there. And if your DSL ever goes down connect the modem directly to the pc then power cycle the modem, let it sync, then restart the computer. If it works then it’s not a DSL problem, it may be the router try power cycling it.

And one last thing the only router we support at VOL is the linksys router. By support I mean we can help you set it up, sans wireless card, and help you login into the router to check it’s settings. Our sales office actually sells linksys routers and you can break the payments up on your bill if you wanted to go that route. I know more info then you asked for but it may save you some headaches when dealing with VOL’s tech support. If you have any questions regarding VOL let me know I’ll try my best to answer them.

7

Wireless for her laptop is the best way to go in my book. I installed one about 4 months ago and I am pleased with the performance. I’m working in the kitchen now so the portability is great. I got a D-Link 703P.It has 3 Ethernet ports and also has a built in print server so I can print without having to turn on the main PC. A nice feature with 4 machines in the house. Routers are not to hard to set up with a bit of reading and advice that you could get here. The connection software that came with SBC\Yahoo is not that great and I was glad to get rid of it with the addition of the router. You also get a security function from it as well.

8

I use my University’s 11 Mbps wireless connection when I’m on campus. I’ve never had a problem with the speed. Unless your girlfriend is a heavy FPS online gamer, you’ll probably never know the difference.

They also make wireless cards for the PC, if you want to spend the money for it (note: also not an endorsement). If you don’t like having network cords running all over your apartment, these really help out. You can put your wireless router and DSL modem right next to the phone, and then set your computer up without having to worry about how to hide the wires.

9

Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Now i’m going to pick your brains some more.

There has been some progress made on the hardware front. One of my professors has wireless at home, and i was asking him a few questions about his system, and telling him that i was planning to install wirelss at our place. Next thing i know, he’s handing me a wireless router and wireless card that he no longer needs. If i can make these work, it will save me quite a bit of cash. The hardware is as follows:

  • Linksys BEFW11S4 Etherfast Wireless Access Point+Cable/DSL Router

  • Linksys WPC11 Network PC Card

I’ve downloaded the user guide for each from the Linksys website. Apparently the router itself requires no drivers, but it seems that i do need to download the firmware.

My professor couldn’t find the CD that came with the card, so i’ll have to download the Win98 driver for my girlfriend’s computer from the Linksys website.

According to the website, i’ll have to uninstall my Winpoet connection software in order to connect the router. As this will leave me without an internet connection, i wanted to post this first and check for responses today, before starting the installation tonight.

I’m pretty good at following instruction guides, so i’ll probably be able to follow the guides and get everything installed. I’ve heard, however, that wireless networks can sometimes be a pain in the ass, so if anyone has any advice about the installation procedure, i’d be happy to hear it.

And Second: thanks for the advice about VOL. Because i have a Linksys router, does this mean i can call Verizon tech support and get help if i have trouble with the installation?

I have ambivalent feelings about Verizon. As a company, i find that it’s about as conniving and money-grubbing as most large telephone companies. On the other hand, every time i speak to someone on the phone (whether at tech support or about my phone bill) they are always extremely friendly and very helpful. And i’ve never had any real problems with my Verizon DSL service.

10

You will log on to the router through your web browser. You will need to type the network address in the location window. Default IP is 192.168.0.1. You wil need a password to go further.There should be a tab inside the router to upgrade the firmware. There is in my D-Link. You will just have to point to the file on the computer. I would get the router running through the hard wired computer and then move on to the wireless stuff.
I didn’t know a lot about wireless but it wasn’t to difficult. I had to give my connection an ID name, select a channel and I associated the connection with MAC address control to begin. I set up the wireless card in the laptop with the same settings and it detected the connection fairly quickly. Once I got it running stable I set it for 64 bit encyption to further secure the connection. Now it runs fine each time I use it and I love it. It was recommended that you should not use default network names for the wireless connection. Choose your own unique name.

11

Yes you can call us and we are supposed to walk you through everything. Also you mentioned winpoet, if you live anywhere but the east coast you do not need any of the poet software. It’s only for PPPoE connections. Also when you set up your router, just set the IP setting to dynamic, and leave the hostname and domain name fields blank. If you need help just give tech support a call.

I would have ambivalent feeling towards VOL as well. I strive to be helpful and friendly to the customers I speak with but I can’t say that for everyone. The biggest problem you are going to run into if you ever have DSL issues is the bureaucracy. The agents working the phones really do not have any power over any policy. If you ever have to call in and you are not getting satisfaction ask for a supervisor.

Actually ask three times because at that point we have to get one. But we don’t actually get you a supervisor we lie to you and transfer you to another team of agents who pretend they are supervisors. If you ask them for a supervisor then you can get to the real deal. Anyway going a little of target here, sorry it’s just I could rant for days about the underhanded policies and the lies we are instructed to give to our cash-co…“customers”

12

Thanks again for the advice. Things are coming along nicely.

My computer is up and running through the router. The VOL guy who talked me through it was very helpful, and certainly knew what he was talking about.

Actually, i spoke to two VOL guys, because we ran into some problems early on. When i typed the default IP (192.168.1.1) into Internet Explorer in order to connect to the router, it wouldn’t connect, despite the fact that the lights on all the equipment were showing a link. The first VOL guy told me that he didn’t know what this meant, and that i should call Linksys support, so i told him i’d try that and call back.

Well, before calling Linksys, i decided to read through the router user guide again, and i found a section where it said that the computer’s IP address (in network settings) needs to be within the range of settings used by the router. About a year or so ago, i was having trouble with periodic inactivity on my internet connection, and the VOL person fixed the problem by having me switch the ethernet card’s settings from “Find an IP address automatically” to actually typing in a specific IP address. That specific IP address wasn’t within the range used by the router, so i reset the IP address to automatic, and tried again. It worked, so i called VOL back and a different guy helped me through the setup, which went very smoothly.

That’s as far as i can go right now, because we can’t install the wireless card into my girlfriend’s computer until she upgrades her OS. She’s running Win98, and the minimum requirement for the Linksys network card drivers is 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP. Once she’s upgraded, we’ll finish the process.

Anyhow, thanks for all the advice. If things start to go bad during the wireless installation, i may be back for more.