Broadband Multi-users

[6Limetree]

We've had braodband for about a year now but I almost have to book time on it as the kids have dominated the home PC.
So I intend to buy them each their on PC's and would like to be able to hook both of these up too. Is this possible or do I have pay BT for each user? The existing braodband connection is wired but there are no telephone sockets in their bedrooms.
Can anyone help me with a solution that is cheap and easy to install?:rolleyes:

[Oldun]

No it wont cost any extra to connect 2 more pc's to the internet.
The easiest way to do this is to buy an ADSL router with 4 connections, then connect each of the pc's to the router.

But remeber that if all pc's are using the internet at same time speeds will be slower for each person.

[freelanderPX54]

Wireless router is the way to go. There is software on the internet that will allow you to check the kids pc's whilst they are online without them knowing. I use a Linksys router and this is great for the Desktop upstairs and the Laptop wherever I am. No noticable loss of speed

[abyssdj]

yep wireless router and so on. i would usually say use cables, but if theyre not gonna be hammering it, then no need. go wireless save the hassle :)

quick trip to a computer shop and they'll sort you out. easy stuff

[f0ul Oli]

Wireless is the easiest, but remeber that if they are using windows 98 on any of the PC's that you can't have any WEP security on there - not really such a bad thing, but it does allow your neigbours to use ur broadband - if that's a problem.

You can still set it up on only accept from certain MAC addesses and that would give you the security, but its possibly the only concern with going the woreless route.

Hope this helps

[abyssdj]

of course that just complicates things though :) best thing to do would be just visit the shop, tell them how many pcs you have, what kind of internet connection you have, and they'll give you the stuff you need and run you over how to do it. if neccessary you can usually take it in to them, and they'll set the lot up for you

if not, just ask on here if you have any probs :)

[mysterymermaid]

I have a D-Link wireless router with built in modum, its brilliant, at home I have 3 pc's and this laptop, we have 11 running off one at the office..:)

[P00DLE]

of course that just complicates things though :) best thing to do would be just visit the shop, tell them how many pcs you have, what kind of internet connection you have, and they'll give you the stuff you need and run you over how to do it. if neccessary you can usually take it in to them, and they'll set the lot up for you

if not, just ask on here if you have any probs :)

depend on you local shop i guess. over here id get the most espensive thing on offer. personnally id go for a cheap router and a network card for each and some good old fashioned cable. here is only use wifi for the laptop and the PDA anything esle gets hardwired into a network switch.

[abyssdj]

same as here chris... but obviously youd check the price first! pc world (etc) often have wireless networking packages advertised on tv now for a pittance, and for decent stuff too sometimes...

most of our network is wired, covers a big area as home networks go.

[P00DLE]

yep, beside wireless doesnt quites get to 1000mbs does it.

[abyssdj]

nor does the internet in the UK ;) annoying really, how say a nice house in canada costs half the price of one in a crap area of england, is twice the size of the english house, has a 100mbps internet line included, and you also dont get sworn at by your neighbours.

[P00DLE]

fair point but it would wireless is far to slow for me to use for my network as it doesnt copy large files fast enough or stream movies of my NAS 100% reliably if other network activity s ongoing at the same time.

[abyssdj]

thats the only problem i have with it chris :) still, its getting faster and faster as the months go by.. remember when it first started to appear mainstream at silly slow speeds, then up to 11mbps (what ours is) and now up to 55mbps+...

either way, its good for sitting out in the garden with a beer and music from the laptop :p