Got ntl broadband? Running a network with a hub/switch?

[Guest amo]

How do you connect the modem to the hub/switch to allow any pc to have internet access without one main pc being switched on?

Does the modem connect to the uplink port with a standard patch cable or cross over?

Anyone wanna offer some help to a puzzled person? :roll:

[Guest Monolithix [MVP]]

You can't, apparently. Although i've heard that some people have got it working...

I'm going to go network my mum's house next week using a switch so i'll let you know how i get on. However i expect i'll have to use an old box and build it into a router...

[Guest amo]

Dammit, well lemme know how it goes on mate

[Guest SeaneyC]

Surely you'll need some sort of router so the info gets to the right PC? You can get a decent cheap one for £50 there days i believe. I don't have cable though, so i'm not sure on the ins and outs. I use a 4 port adsl modem and router combined in my flat driving 3 pcs and ibook.

[Guest Monolithix [MVP]]

The cable modem ~should~ do that, as it is a router really (routed switch)..however it doesn't appear to work over lans (and the setup instructions state this).

At the very worst you could always proxy through another box instead, just means you need to leave the other PC on all the time...

[Guest Gorskar]

The cable modem is not designed to route to more than one PC, so you will need to buy a separate router.

They are not too expensive, around about £50 for a four port one, and you can always add more hubs to it if you need to.

Basically, the router takes the place of your computer, and gets assigned the external IP address. The Router acts as a NAT server, so all your computers inside your LAN get assigned internal local IP addresses. The router will pass on requests for information to the internet, and "remember" which computer asked for it, so when the reply comes back it knows which computer to route it to. Some things such as MSN messenger file sending/recieving does not work properly via NAT, but in general most well designed apps should work, or be able to be configured to work. If you need MSN file send/recieves then look for a router that supports uPnP.

[Guest fozzie]

All the info regarding NTL & Blueyonder cable setups here.

Plenty of tips and advice about router setup, DHCP, DNS etc etc.

[Guest amo]

Just bumped into that!

[Guest fozzie]

Some excellent stuff there. Can't remember how I came across it. Suffice to say my Linksys 4 port router was set up in seconds and allows any PC to connect and use the broadband connection at will. Money well spent ;)

EDIT: Currently on eBuyer here for £47 (BEFSR41)

[Guest amo]

Is there noway to do it without a router then and just a hub?

[Guest fozzie]

The problem is because of the MAC address. This is unique number coded into the ethernet adapter. The NTL STB 'knows' the MAC address of the PC that was first used to setup the broadband. If a PC with a different MAC address is used, the sign-up process has to be carried out again for that new PC. It's not too much of a drama - the other problem is that you are only allowed a certain number of MAC address changes in a particular time frame.

By using the Linksys, you can give the Router the same MAC address as the original PC and then all your devices effectively 'hide' behind the router and can all access the Broadband connection. As far as the NTL network is concerned, there is only one device hanging off the STB ;)

EDIT: Detailed info on the above is here.

[Guest strathclydezero]

I use the Netgear RP114 with no problems.

[Guest Shuflie]

I have a linksys 4 port router and it works out fine for me too. Never had any problems with MAC addresses even though the modem has been connected to four different MAC addresses (three computers and now the router) by now, I have never had to reregister the the modem to a new MAC address. I think this is because my cable modem (a Terayon I think) has its own MAC address that was given at registration time.

Nice thing about the router is that if it ever freezes up all you have to do is hit the reset button and its up and running again in seconds. Before that I routed through an old Compaq pressario that I have lying about and it took ages to reboot if there was a problem.