Sharing Multiple IP Addresses

[Nightowl]

Hi, How would I share multiple IP addresses?
I have a 3 PC network at home, with 3 IP address. All 3 PC's
are connected to a 8 port 10meg hub, as is the cable modem.
I want to add my 4th PC, and I'm at my limit of IP adresses
that my ISP allows. I could get a router and get rid of 2 IP
addresses, but I worry about all 4 PC's downloading at once
and slowing all the downloads down, which at our house is very
often possible. Is there a way to make one big pipe of the 3
IP addresses to share over my 4 PC's running Win98 SE?
What hardware, what software, what instructions do I need?

Thank You,

Harry

[bowen]

Hi Harry,

I guess you have 2 basic options. One would be to obtain a router and set up a private network and dump the extra IP addresses from your ISP. You'll save a bit of month per month but need to buy a router. Decent routers can be had for between $50 and $150.

If you wanted to jury rig things together and not buy a router, you could set up ICS on one of the windows 98 machines. You would need an extra network card for this. I wouldn't bother.

I am not sure what ISP you are using but generally having multiple IP addresses does not grant you 2 or 3 times the normal bandwidth. If you are using cable Internet or DSL, you are most likely sharing the connection anyways. A router may slow your Internet connection down just a wee bit, but I seriously doubt you would notice.


- Bowen


Originally posted by Nightowl
Hi, How would I share multiple IP addresses?
I have a 3 PC network at home, with 3 IP address. All 3 PC's
are connected to a 8 port 10meg hub, as is the cable modem.
I want to add my 4th PC, and I'm at my limit of IP adresses
that my ISP allows. I could get a router and get rid of 2 IP
addresses, but I worry about all 4 PC's downloading at once
and slowing all the downloads down, which at our house is very
often possible. Is there a way to make one big pipe of the 3
IP addresses to share over my 4 PC's running Win98 SE?
What hardware, what software, what instructions do I need?

Thank You,

Harry

[Nightowl]

Alright, Thank You Bowen, this is just the type of input I need.
I had know idea that 3 IP addresses wouldn't be any faster,
because of the price I thought it would. I should have gone the
way of the router a long time ago. I've paid for one many times
over to my cable company. I'll wait one more week for more
post. The ICS you mention isn't for me, because I'd have to
have the main computer on for the other computers
to get internet access. The router method you mentioned sounds
best. Also I saw a router with a built-in print server. As it is now
I have to have my main PC on for the others to print.

Thank You,

Harry

[ecgriffith]

Bowen's right, the multiple IPs don't mean speed -- they're nice if you want to setup Internet access on all your systems without a router, but withthe price of routers today it's wholly unnecessary to get them for such a small setup.

Definitely go with the print server built in if you can, or get a separate print server. Some are coming wireless today, such as the one from Compex (http://www.cpx.com).

[Nightowl]

Thank You Mr. Griffith. Is there a place I could have found
this information without waiting for help posts? I've spent
most of my time learning Windows, software, and hardware.
I'm not very good at networks.

Hub for sale (kidding). I'll save it for LAN parties.

Thank You,

Harry

[Greenstead]

Nightowl

There are a set of how to guides on this website:
http://practicallynetworked.com/howto/

But to make the decision which way to go e.g. Hardware Router vs ICS, I think you're best to ask questions at forums like this one. I would agree a hardware NAT router is the best solution.
A couple of further tips. When you choose a router, in addition to deciding if you want one with a print server, consider if you need VPN support and/or UPnP. I would recommend you get a router with a combined 4 port switch. I would also suggest you consider a wireless router if you use a laptop. You can get network printers (i.e. one with an ethernet interface) which plugs into the router.

I use a combined wireless NAT router and 4 port switch and a network printer. It all works very well and quite easy to setup.

Good Luck.

[Nightowl]

Hello Greenstead, Your right, now my real work starts, trying
to find the perfect router for me. I'm not sure yet what I need.
I can tell everyone that I don't have Black Ice or any fire-wall.
I was hoping my new router would take care of thoose
problems. The built on switch is a good Idea. All my PC's have
small hard drives, and only 1 PC has a archive CD burner.
So moving gigs of files to the archive PC is slow right now.
We play a lot of Sieria's HalfLife or a mod called CounterStrike.
so I sure want a router that will be compatible. Also cost is a
factor, I don't want to get a 4 port router because it doesn't
leave me much room to grow. I'd like to keep this 10meg hub
out of the loop. The house is already wired with Cat5 cable.
I guess I could down the road buy another switch as my
network grows. I've noticed that most 4 port routers say
they support up to 256 workstations, it sounds like a gimick
to me, unless you attach more hubs/switches.

Thank You,

Harry

[Greenstead]

I would suggest you start with a router+4 port switch and you can always plug in an extra switch/hub to get more ports. (You might want to put the extra switch in another room for convenience).

The number of users supported is simply the max no of local IP addresses it can issue.

Its risky to recommend a router since although they all work they all have their own shortcomings. However right now Amazon are doing a special on Linksys. The Linksys Etherfast Cable/DSL Router is selling for £59.99 which is (very) good value. (I would buy the wireless version).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/026-3786760-9650062

Linksys do an 8 port version also:
http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?prid=155&grid=23

SMC are good and have good technical support - something almost all the other vendors are poor at - however if the router works you don't need technical support. I use Netgear myself.

Many online games (and applications like Netmeeting) have problems working thro a NAT router due to its nature to reject all unsolicited incoming connections. Some games want to open ports from the server to send data and the NAT router will not allow that. If you know the ports that the game uses you can port forward them to one PC. Some newer routers support UPnP to one PC which gets round this problem. I have watched Counterstrike played on-line via my router but never played so I can't say if it has this problem - your game buddies may know more or the gamesite FAQ might tell you its port requirements. You can place one PC in a router's DMZ which is like a direct connection to the internet but also is wide open to a hacker - its ok just for the game time.

For internet protection you don't need anything but the NAT router. The NAT firewall in the router blocks all uninvited external intrusion. (unless you open ports manually and leave them open). However I also use zonealarm (the free version) on the PC - not to prevent intrusion - its to prevent (alarm) unexpected outgoing connections from the PC which can occur due to spyware or worse, trojans - contracted by freebie downloads or e-mail attachments. Together the NAT router and a software firewall lock the door from both sides.
(Of course if you also use AV software - which you should - you should not get any trojans.

Lots to consider. Best is to just jump in and learn more. Prices are reasonable. In a years time the technology will have changed and you want something new anyway.

Good luck with Counterstrike (I like to use grenades best).