Mac Forum / General / Networking / May 2005

[Valid group comp.sys.mac.hardware.misc substituted for
comp.sys.mac.hardware.]

My ISP had software that would allow only one host to be connected
through my DSL connection.

I altered my configuration: I installed a router with ports -- a
Linksys BEFSR41 -- just downstream of my DSL modem. I have one
computer connected to my ISP -- that router. All of my computers are
connected to that.

This change required no modification whatsoever in the configuration
of the DSL modem.

Many of the DSL ISPs have "enhanced" services to allow multiple
computers to be visible to the DSL modem. But, if you're getting a
router/hub, you need no such services.

Perhaps your folks didn't clearly explain that all of your computers
would be behind a separate router. Or maybe the customer service types
didn't understand.

It's certainly possible for DSL ISPs to have "enhanced" services that
are available by flipping a switch on their side. If you're cynical,
you might suppose that they deliberately "misunderstand" when people
talk about putting multiple computers behind a router.

My ISP offered me a router "for free" if I would sign up for the
multi-host service at an added $10/month. I told him that his free
service was way too expensive -- I picked up the BEFSR41 for around
$20 on Ebay.

My recommendation is just to put in the rourter and see what happens.
If one computer behind the router works, then multiple ones should
definitely work when you add them.

--phil

Get a router such as a Linksys NR041. This has a single upstream port (marked
'Internet') and four other ports (1 through 4) which can be used to attach
other devices. Port one is special, it can be used to daisy-chain other
routers at the touch of a button. That particular router is easily available
in retail stores such as Walmart as well as computer stores such as CompUSA.
One feature it has is MAC address spoofing. If the ISP in question goes to
the trouble of checking for the MAC address of just one particular computer,
the router can be set to pass that address on instead of its own. Clear,
comic-book-style, instructions on how to do this are included. Once set up,
you may have as many devices connected to the DSL device via the router as
you wish, just buy additional hubs/switches/routers and attach to port 1.

There are numerous other routers, from Linksys and from companies such as
Netgear and Belkin, which can do the same thing. I just happen to have a
NR041 handy and know it works.

RE the posting:
<< My mom called Sprint to make sure that this was okay, and the rep said that
we could use any router but we'd also need to call Sprint and let them know
about the additional computer to they could "upgrade the bridge."
 I have no idea what that means. Are they talking about upgrading the DSL box
in my folks' home, or a software bridge on their end, or are they just
planning to charge my parents more while essentially doing noting? >>

There is nothing the telco needs to do.

You do NOT want them to charge your parents for 2 separate DSL accounts.

Your parents should say NOTHING more to the phone company. Just get a router,
install it, and set it up.

The phone company needs to know NOTHING about what is going on "beyond" their
DSL modem.

The more recent crop of DSL modems have such things as authentication and a
basic "router" (only one port) built right in, so that they can offer NAT
(network address translation, which provides some hardware firewall
protection, I believe).

You will have to locate and examine the documentation that came with the
specific DSL modem she has, and see what your setup options are. All this can
usually be done with a web browser.

You will have to ascertain what kind of connection scheme your parents' DSL
setup is using. That is to say, whether it is a simple "DHCP" (without
password, unlikely), or perhaps PPPoE (which uses a username and password for
authentication, this is VERY likely). The only way to do this is to check out
their setup personally, or have it checked out by someone who knows what
they're doing.

I would recommend that you set the modem up to connect _without_ doing
authentication (let the router do this) or NAT if it is used (again, let the
router do this for you).

You can probably find out more, about the DSL modem, the DSL setup itself,
etc., by going to broadbandreports.com and checking the tech sections and
message boards...

- John