is this a crazy idea?

I have two computers with Gigabyte LAN capability (One XP home and the other windoze 98se). I've had them networked using a crossover cable but just ditched my dial up for vDSL which comes with a modem (no router). I got a gigabyte switch for the holidays and am thinking of attaching the two computers and the modem through that. I can either use this set up with zone alarm on each computer as the firewall or purchase a router (with future wireless combatibility for my wife's future laptop) to go between the switch and the modem. I guess I'm wondering if the zone alarm firewall is sufficient or if I should go with a good hardware based firewall. If a router is in order what brand (wireless capable) do people suggest.

Thanks.

I'd recommend the router route myself. Linksys or Dlink.

Just tried the Linksys WRT54GS router. It would not work through my netgear gigabyte switch. I got it to work once connected to my computer but then tried it through my switch again and it could not pick up the internet through my vDSL modem. I spent hours resetting the router and modem and trying to reinstall with different cables between the modem and the router different ports on the router, switch, and lans on the computer. Half the time the install screen sticks on the set up screen either at 9% or 99% of the configuration.

I've wasted half a day on this stupid router. If I have a netgear switch do I need to stick with a netgear router. Should I try dlink next???

My internet service is through Qwest and it's vDSL instead of aDSL. The modem is supposed to work through a router. The IP address is assigned by the ISP.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated!!!

There's no reason why the Linksys shouldn't work. Modem to WAN port of router, LAN side of router to switch to computers. If your DSL service requires a username & password (PPPOE), you need to set this information up in the router's setup.

I remember that option in the set up but except for my email account login, they did not give leave me with a login and password. I did get the set up to work briefly connecting the router directly to my computer and not the switch and that was with the DCHP setting in the router setup.

I think I'll give qwest a call tomorrow. The vDSL modems are fairly new so perhaps there are some settings I need to know about. Thanks for your help.

The main thing you need to know is the connection type: PPPoE, PPPoA, DHCP or static. Once you have that information, it should be fairly easy to set up.

Thanks. I wish qwest had left me more information or had useful information on their website. The vDSL seems fairly new and I'm finding very little information on it. From what I can tell it is DHCP setting but there may be an issue with the router IP address sharing the modems IP address. I found someone who struggled two weeks with a linksys router and qwest tech support before returning it any buying a netgear which worked out of the box. There is a netgear on sale through circuit city. It doesn't have the best reputation but I'm tempted to try it. First I'll qwest and see what they say or recommend.

Let's start w/ small steps. What is the brand/model of your modem? Since I've never heard of vDSL, and you say it's very new, describe it to me.

The modem is a Next Level Communications (Rohnert Park, CA) N3 VDSL Etherset. (May be owned by motorola now)

I called qwest and they confirmed a router should use the DHCP protocol with dynamic IP.

Looking at trying a belkin router next, the F5D7231-4 is reasonably priced at Fry's Electronics and had a good user rating on several websites. The wireless range was not great but I do not need that yet and a firmware update should help that.

Quote: Originally Posted by ochssk
...I called qwest and they confirmed a router should use the DHCP protocol with dynamic IP....
Then the Linksys in default configuration should have worked. Set it to "obtain an IP address automatically". Cycle the power to your modem to err on the side of caution and you should be good to go. Even if you've returned the Linksys, any other router should be as straight forward.

I hope so. Picked up a d-link DI 624 from fry's. Had a rebate and I'm not one to pass up a sale.

Yea D-link!!! It installed without a hitch on my main computer. I had to toy around with various configurations to get my second computer working. The trick was to install the router on my main computer first with out the second computer connected, then connect the 2nd computer and like magic everything worked. I thought the d-link instructions were a little clearer than linksys especially when something wasn't configured right. Dlink also had instructions for installing with zonealarm which was a help.

I saw lots of setting on the dlink router for wireless firewall/security settings but not see much for wired. I'm assuming that the dlink router has NAT or something else permanently installed and I the user do not have to turn anything on to protect my computer. Any recommendations for dlink settings to enhance my protection is appreciated.

Thanks for all the help and guidance.