transfer files using same adsl connection?

[rudeboymcc]

hi. i am about to get an adsl connection at home. i have two pc's, but they're on different floors. i have two adsl modems, one on each. i was going to network the two using a hub but my friend had a spare adsl modem.

only problem is i don't know if it is possible. i know i'll be able to access the internet from both pc's. but can i access the pc upstairs as if it were on a network? and can i make it so tat the pc upstairs uses the printer downstairs??

[rudeboymcc]

Also, what do you recommend in terms of security. like a firewall or something, but can any one give me a decent one? i curretnyl have Zone Alarm software, but someone told me i should buy a splitter.

[gooki]

yes

[ohliuv]

hmm... 2 adsl modems at the same time on the same cable... no idea

about the security: I'm using adsl already 2 years with a win98 + ftp server, connected 24/7. My 2cents for Win-based system: don't make your life complicated with firewalls and intrusion detectors, unless you're running some e-commerce. Just keep your OS, and servers updated. Oh, and install a decent anti-virus software ;)

[rudeboymcc]

gooki, what are you saying yes to?

and ohliuv, i've been around the internet and many sites are telling me firewalls are important. does windows have an in built firewall or something? i have win xp pro.

[mpucoder]

Originally posted by rudeboymcc
does windows have an in built firewall or something?
ROTFLMAO

[ohliuv]

i've been around the internet and many sites are telling me firewalls are important.

there is no doubt about that. tip: think what exactly you want to protect when you install a firewall. and 2nd - whether it will serve its purpose or not depends entirely on the configuration. that's the important part.

does windows have an in built firewall or something? i have win xp pro. [/B]

mpucoder expressed exactly what I think about that one :D

[Koepi]

Erm. If I might step in here...

it's not possible to use 2 DSL modems (at the same time) on one phone line.

Do it properly: spend the 30 bucks for a small, unmanaged switch, buy yourself some meter twisted pair cables (dunno which distance you have between your rooms), 2 patch modules, 2 patch cables, 2 "awados" (it's a german telecom slang, it means something where you put the cable permanently in, connect the wires and have it on the wall like a telephone jack [while i think of it, it's exactly the same for you in the US, you use RJ45 for telephones as well]).

Ask a friend of you who knows more about that stuff if he might help you throwing the cable through your house, putting the switch somewhere where it belongs, patching the cables so they're usable and finally setup one computer to share the connection with the other.

On that gateway machine, at least install "tiny firewall", it'll help you keeping your machine a bit safer than without firewall (-> if you know how to administrate a firewall that is of course).

Hm. Sounds like a "network for beginners" lesson but with too much tech stuff ;)

Anyways, I hope you get the idea. Build a proper network. That "2 DSL modems sharing 1 external phone line" won't work.

Regards
Koepi

[ohliuv]

@Koepi: 'small, unmanaged switch' is the same as 'hub'?

[TactX]

Originally posted by rudeboymcc
...does windows have an in built firewall or something?

Yes, whenever someone tries to connect to your Windows-box it will crash, making it impossible to steal your private data :D

Like Koepi told you get a Personal Firewall like 'tiny firewall'. Another great firewall is Sygate Personal Firewall (http://www.sygate.com/). It is commercial, but free for private use and has lots of nice stuff, and good configuration.

[Koepi]

Switch and Hub are something different:

A hub has an internal backplane where it just passes all data through without filtering.
A switch looks at the ethernet frames (pakets) and initiates "dedicated connections" between computers. In the case you want to add another computer this will give you some speed increase as hubs are prone to paket collisions (worst case: only 2 computers in a segment, somehow there are collisions like hell then).

Regards
Koepi

[ChristianHJW]

You get a wireless LAN DSL router with built in NAT firewall, PPTP pass through for VPN ( Virtual Private Networks ), 22 mbps connection speed and alomst preconfigured PPPoE dial-in protocol for about 140 - 180 € today. A 22 mpbs WLAN PCI card will add another 70 - 80 €.

Pros :

- no wiring necessary
- built in auto-sensing switch for 3/4 hardwired PCs
- built in NAT hardware firewall, only one IP adress visible to the outside
- easy access for additional PCs ( neighbours, roommates, up to 253 ) to your ADSL line ( share costs :D ) with any simple WLAN card ( no need for 22 mbps if you only want internet sharing BTW )
- port blocking possible, also for a certain user group only ( p2p only for you :D )
- with a 65,- € PCMCIA WLAN card for your laptop your couch will become your favourite place to browse the internet ;) .... i love it !!

Con's :

- factor 5 slower than a hardwired ethernet RJ45 network with 100 mbps


Regards

Christian