Help required with home network...

[Donny John]

Just got my NTL 600k Broadband installed and I want to network the other 2 rigs in the house. I have an external Cable Modem connected to the Ethernet Port on my NF7-S (USB set-up didn't work ). I would like to go wireless I think, as we have enough wires trailing around the house with the telephones already!

As I am a noob with this I need to know what I need to buy, and what is the easiest way to do it. Also, will I need a fire wall? How can I stop access to chat rooms and prono sites? Do I need an ADSL or wifi router? Do I need a router at all?

Any help will be much appreciated please ...

DJ

[EvilMunky]

OK this is what i would do.

Buy a wireless router - connect your broadband straight to that instead of to your pc. The router then acts as a gateway for any other computer that connects to it. Meaning that any computer you either plug in with network cable, or connect to wirelessly, will automatically be setup to access the network and each other.

The router will probably have a built in firewall, but it certainly doesnt hurt to have one on each of your pcs - i do that! ZonAlarm or something liek that is easy enuff to install and use.

With regards to blocking access to certain stuff it depends in what context. Is it to stop your kids accessing adult material? If so you probably need a program like netnanny or cyberpatrol.
Alternatively, your router should be able to block sites / services - but that list one what it blocks would be a nightmare to update. Best use a ready made program like net nanny or cyberpatrol and pay for the safety. Beware, nothing is 100% safe and if the person you are trying to restrict access to, really knows their stuff, they will get passed it. However, your router will most likely keep a log of all sites access - and you can have this emailed ot you - thats what i do.

With regards to wireless - for a home network its pretty easy to setup and pretty secure. As long as you enable the higfhest encryption the router can do (wep etc) - may also help to only give access to certain MAC addresses (your computers physical hardware network address - unique) - This would stop your average hacker being able to use your router to access the internet.

In a normal house wiht normal walls, your router should be able to be put anywhere and for the others to connect to it - altho if its a big house with thick floors and walls, then an access point may be needed.

I think that just about covers it for now - im sure there will be more things people can say, but if you need any more help, pm me.

Cheers

EvilMunky

[Donny John]

Ahh, thanks m8, really helpful I'll do as u say then and buy a wireless router. Should I just buy the cheapest, or does anyone have recommendation? I'll need advise on the wifi network cards as well! Are they PCI? Where's the best place to start looking? ebuyer? Also, can I get away with just buying 2? The router will be near my comp so will I just connect by USB/eternet cable? And can I have 2 LAN cards in my rig?

And yes, I'd like to stop or at least restrict what my teenage stepdaughters view on the net. I'll check out this netnanny program you suggested.

Sorry for being such a noob!

[EvilMunky]

Hey man,

My advise is to make sure you buy the same make of wireless cards, as you buy for the router. Just makes things gel that much better. Im not sure which one to go for - cheap should do it but hceck out some reviews of any prospective ones first - and also check the support section of the particular manufacturers website.

You will need to connect to the router via network cable - you will basically be acting like you are in a lan and therefore need to wire yourself str8 into the router.

You can have 2 lan cards in your machine no probs - but with the scenario you described - im not sure why you would want to>?

[Howard]

My advise is not to bother with wireless unless you have a laptop. Lol

[r1zeek]

My advise is not to bother with wireless unless you have a laptop. Lol

Wise words spoken by Howard. Wireless can be rather pointless, and you get slower speeds than wired and generally it can be a hassle to set up.
Just take the time to run a lot of patch cable about, hide it under carpets, through the roof even if you have to, thats what I do and i'm happy with it!

[Apex]

One thing you forgot to say is about MAC spoofing, this is where you take the mac address of the nic your using (your nf7 mac address) and in the router config you enter this.

What does it do ?

Well cable compnays use mac address to auth users on the network and mac spoofing means that the router will present the mac of the nic youi reged with the cable company and allow you to add moe machines to the net work.

Hope thats not too confusing.

[Apex]

also i would advise against an alll in one cable router with wifi.

I would get a sperate wifi access point which means when it's time to upgrade you can.

ps beware of the different types of routers and make sure yuo get a cable broad band router and not a adsl broadband router, the two are totally different !

[Howard]

Wise words spoken by Howard. Wireless can be rather pointless, and you get slower speeds than wired and generally it can be a hassle to set up.
Just take the time to run a lot of patch cable about, hide it under carpets, through the roof even if you have to, thats what I do and i'm happy with it!

Yeah.

My dad and I are re-decorating this study, wiring the network in properly with cables under the floor, wall boxes, etc. Routing ethernet down to the lounge as well, and wiring it into my bedroom properly.

Nice job + wired = a nice secure, fast LAN

[r1zeek]

Nice job + wired = a nice secure, fast LAN

The way its meant to be!
Having a wired network nicley hidden away I think is better, you wont see it and you dont get interferance.
T'other day, for some reason I found my old wireless mouse interfered with my mobile, couldnt hear a thing outta my phone!

[Donny John]

What about this one? :

Ebuyer

Reviews aren't too good though! One says should be Plug and Pray, LOL!

[EvilMunky]

Agreed as said above - wireless has its place - and its not necessarily at your home. If you can get away with hidden wiring, do that! But if you wanna wander around your garden with ya laptop, then do thatr!