Networking with NTL?

[midzt]

How can I network with NTL? I'm trying to help friends out but I haven't seen the modem that NTL has given them. They want to share the internet connection. Can they just use a normal router, is the NTL modem ethernet ro USB?

Thanks for any help.

[Zak33]

ya need a Cable Router...preferably one with a Firewall. Then the Router pretends to be the PC with the account details.

So...router goes onto the Netwrok cable from the set top box. PC plugs into one of the 4 router ports. The instruction book for the router gives you an IP address to set up the router. It acts like a Web Page...but its really the router hardware. Anyway..thatsin a mo....signing on first.



You Turn OFF everything...PC and set top box and router...unplug the set top box for 5 minutes.

You turn ON the set top box first. You wait 3 minutes for it to refresh itself
You turn ON the router next.
You turn ON the PC last.

You open up your web browser (Internet Explorer) and you go to the web page that NTL provides for signing on...

it is SUPPOSED to be http://start.ntl

it used to be http://start.html

BUT neither worked for me so I rang NTL and got the actual IP address...once in its a sign up for an acccount for this new PC type thing...but what you are actually doing is setting up an account for your router NTL thinks your Router is a PC. NTL use MAC addresses (the in built code on every network card ever made...each is different...it is NOT an IP....it is a built in code) and it recognises the Router as a new connection.

Give it a name.

Then...once its accepted it (you need the PID number with your account) you then power down EVERYTHING....and unplug the set top box again...and LEAVE IT 5 minutes. Trust me...leave it....5 minutes.

Then power up the Set top box first.
Then wait 5 inutes for it to digitally connect to NTL with the new account.
Then power up the router and then the PC......

job done.

I'll find the router for you...back in a mo

[midzt]

Tahnks Zak, you're a legend.

[Zak33]

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=35433

this little beauty. Good hard firewall too, so all 4 PC's are safe behind it.

NTL accounts recognise the ROUTER as the account. All the PC's behind it are simply on a network

[Zak33]

hardly...I can cock most stuff up pretty fast, so that makes me kinda special.

really should tidy up my post ...instructions were dire

[midzt]

Sorry shoulda mentioned this in my oringinal post, i think they have 5/6 people shaing the connection so would a 4 port router be enough?

[Zak33]

Right.,...trawling my memory now

I went into the sign up page on NTL with the router plugged in and it would'nt set up a new account. So I deleted the old accounts (had one of reach PC) and that sorted it. The Set Top box can recognise upto 3 different MAC addresses. I must hacve had three already. Deleted the lot.

THEN POWER DOWN...AND....IMPORTANT>..unplug the set top box.

In fact...when I upgraded from 600 to 1meg I had to do the same again. Power off everything...unplug.

Leave

wait

Then Set top box first....the router...and then PC plugged into router. You really DO need the IP address of ntl's set up account screen BECAUSE (its all flooding back) the router can't do your DNS of the name...so http://start.ntl means nothing to it. I cant remember the number tho sorry. You need to ring the NTL Broadband number...or email them before unplugging.

Then, once you're in you set up the account using your PC's browser like normal, but NTL sees the router...not that that effect you at all.

Once its signed up, you DO need to power it all down...unplug the se ttop box again...and the router (dunno why...it works...do it)

Once rebooted in order (Set top - Router - PC) you can just plug others straight in. XP should auto detect straight away.

The Firewall is HARD and GOOD to know its there.

BUT for gaming you have to use Port Forwarding. Its in the router set up...which is via the IP address provided

You can even have remote access by password if you want

[skattrd]

Sorry shoulda mentioned this in my oringinal post, i think they have 5/6 people shaing the connection so would a 4 port router be enough?

No - you would need one port per person, alternatively you could hook up a cheap hub or switch to the router to add the extra connections you need as 4 port hubs can be got for £10, whereas 6/8 port router is probably more than £10 over the 4 port one

[Zak33]

you'll need a hub too then...get a powered Hub and one goes in, and whatever comes out. Hubs are all kinds of money. As are cables.

[Zak33]

got in a bit late there!

You know what.....I helped someone in Networking.

I did...I helped.

SH1T......this is TiG and Jiff and Moby's fault.....showing me stuff.....

I'm gonna have to tell them

/head swells.

unreal

[BUFF]

If they've got a stand alone modem it can connect either by USB or ethernet - ethernet is better.

In theory 5/6 people on the 1 NTL connection contravenes their T&C (only 4 allowed) but if you are using a router then they will only see the 1.
If you have 5/6 people then you will either need use to use ICS & leave a PC on or get another hub/switch & connect that too (my 4 port Netgear can handle up to 253 users) - or you could go wireless.

[Zak33]

5 to 6 users is gonna drag it to modem speed anyway for downloads. Be OK for gaming tho IF its a 1meg connection.

You NEED the quicker upload of the 1 meg connection

[midzt]

Hmmm, Ill have to warn them about that contrvening thing then. ANyway, if they were to go ahead, would this be how the netowrk would be set up? - quick paint job-