Can't use router?

[Zathras]

If I understand it correctly you get either a PCI or a USB modem with the package. This does not come equipped with an ethernet socket, so you can't use a router with the supplied modem. BT class the modem AND the ADSL together as BT Broadband Basic and either can't or won't talk about them separately. If you took just the connection on itss own and used your own modem router (like all those people on google groups have done) you won't have a problem.

[directhex]

if i remember correctly, your contract with bt bans you from doing it anyway - you have to use the supplied modem.

a router was created, the draytek vigor 2200usb, to get around this - it took a usb modem in, and acted as a router, therefore not violating "you must use our kit" clauses primarily handed out by BT

[RVF500]

ADSL can't tell if it's a router or a PC at the end. It just sees a compatible port. So setting up an ADSL router will work fine. The software they talk about is just driver software for the modem. Which won't work with a router. So if you need tech support don't mention router or home network and you should be fine.

Having worked on a contract for BT myself you are probably better off asking for help here than calling their tech support

[ajbrun]

(like all those people on google groups have done)

Directhex - are you sure? I'm pretty sure sure can get a wires only basic broadband service from BT. Therefore making it improbable that you'd be using their kit anyway.

I'll check to see if there's a wires only one, but I'm pretty sure there is.

Anyway, I think our download usage will be more than 1GB/month. I've just downloaded a prgram that records how much you download, to see if we need to upgrade anyway. If we do, then I know for certain that router will work.

[Zathras]

ADSL can't tell if it's a router or a PC at the end.

Not that there's any suggestion BT do it, but couldn't they check by MAC address range, requiring you to either use their supplied modem or have a modem router that supported MAC spoofing? IIRC someone like NTL required you to inform them of change in MAC address.

[RVF500]

MAC address is a 48 bit number represented in hexadecimal format. The first 3 pairs of characters is the manufacurers ID the rest belong to the device or component, and are unique to each card as it comes out of manufacture. Each time you change a modem or NIC then essentially your MAC address would change. So imagine troubleshooting a suspected fauty piece of hardware. The addy would change each time the hardware was swapped. An ISP should only be interested in your IP address. That is what they issue you from their own range of addresses and so should know that.

I work for a major ISP at the moment and can assure you that we are only interested in IP. Though I'm working on IP backbone not direct to home. However the concept is the same.

[Nick]

Hmm, seems BT have changed their policy about routers then as they made no mention of NOT be able to use one OR it being against their AUP or T+C.

In fact, I rang up BT Broadband Tech support (which is a free number, not the standard BT help, which is expensive) and I told them what I wanted to do and what info I needed to set the router up.

Whatever router you get, all you really need is your BT BB username and password which will be exactly the same as whatever you use now for your BB modem, and the the VPI/VCI numbers.... hook your router up through the BT filter, plug everything in and you'll be up and running.

Hex, nah, BT don't force you to use their hardware, they just don't offer tech support of you can't connect using something else other than their own stuff.

[ajbrun]

Right - thanks guys. I'm going to buy a router in the next few weeks then for broadband basic.

Deckard - How will I know the VPI/VCI numbers?

[Nick]

You can most likely find them in your existing BB modem's set-up. It's the number that it 'dials' to connect to the broadband ISP. Mine is "0,38" so in my router set-up screen I enter those into the appropriate box and off we go.

[Zathras]

So imagine troubleshooting a suspected fauty piece of hardware. The addy would change each time the hardware was swapped.

However IF BT really wanted to prevent you using any equipment other than their own they could implement mac range filtering to only allow you to use their equipment. If you have a problem they send you another modem in their range. According to Google there are a few cable/xDSL suppliers in the states who filter on MAC addresses.

[Firelord]

if they did mac filter like ntl then you just use a router without a built in modem then enable, mac spoofing and your away! exactly what tons & tons of ntl customers do!

[ajbrun]

I'm going to use a router with a modem anyway .

[Firelord]

good luck d00d but it should work fine...

[ajbrun]

OK thanks. One last thing. This is about wireing, and not really specific to any router. Please bare with me.

We currently have 2 phone lines in our house:
1. Normal phone line - dial up internet only
2. Broadband

In a month or so, broadband will be cancelled from the broadband line (don't ask why). We will then apply for broadband on the other line.

Right now, we have broadband sockets both upstairs and downstairs, but when it's cancelled, that line will become useless.

My dad wants to split the broadband line that goes from downstairs to upstairs into 3 cables. He says that that cable has 6 wires in it, and 2 wires are needed to connect a router to a computer. Therefore, he's planning on splitting the cable into three separate cables - two wires in each cable, so that he can connect the router to a maximum of three computers upstairs.

Basically, is that possible? Are only 2 wires required to connect a router to a computer?

Thanks again - hope that made sense

[Nick]

If I'm reading that right, your dad is planning on using a bit of telephone cord to connect a router to a few PCs?

If so, erm, no. Can't be done.

The router will have ethernet sockets in the back which will need Cat5 cabling plugged into them... which, iirc, is six wires per cable. (I'm not network guru here, I've just been advising you from my own experience).

If you want to connect PCs upstairs, perhaps a wireless router might be an option? Failing that, run ONE network cable upstairs to a four port switch and then split off to the three PCs from there using more network cables.

Also, from my distant days when I first rtied networking at home, I *think* that Cat 5 is shielded too, or there's something in the way the wires are laid int he cable to reduce interference and improve transfer rates... something that you won't find in phone cabling if your dad decided to stick RJ45 plugs on the end of it to plug that into the router.

http://yoda.uvi.edu/InfoTech/rj45.htm

ooh, there ya go... that says you need two pairs per cable... if I'm reading it right... it's late.... I'm tired... and old.... and balding....

But hey, I'm still better looking than Russ!

[ajbrun]

Right - that's what I thought TBH. I didn't think that you could do it with just 2 wires going from router to computer.

Can someone just tell me then what wire it is to go router-computer?
Is it RJ-45 or RJ-11?

The router I'm planning on getting comes with 2 RJ-11's, and 1 RJ-45. Therefore I'm guessing that the RJ-11 is for the networking part and the RJ-45 is to connect the internet to the router.