Question for Computer guys

[Karlm]

Ok, here is the deal. I'm moving into a new apartment where I finally have access to high speed internet. The problem is that I want to be able to run both my computer (a Mac) and my girlfriends computer (a PC) off of the same cable modem. What do I need to be able to do this? ANy recomendations on specific parts? We'll both have ethernet cards installed in our computers, so I guess we really just need something to split the signal from the modem. I never really got into computer stuff, so I figured I'd ask the folks who did. Thanks for any help.

[ChiXJeff]

What you really need is a firewall/router appliance. Don't ask me for specific recommendation; I'm building my own (SuSE 8.2 based; all spare parts.)

The single best method you can use to keep other folks out of your machines is to use Network Address Translation aka masquerading. Without getting into the gory technical details, your home machines are on their own private little network (btw, you can share stuff between them) and the firewall box will only allow connections that you initiate.

Edit: I should also point out that this requires that all of your home machines have an Ethernet card.

[Tucker]

Assuming your cable modem speaks ethernet (most do), get an ethernet hub. Get a 100 Mb/sec or 10/100 (does slow and fast, doesn't really matter, choose by price). Brand is insignificant, these really don't fail all that often. If price isn't a consideration get a firewall/hub combo ($300 and up). Otherwise, any old hub will do ... 4-port hubs (the smallest generally available) can be had for $10. Stop by the shop and I'll give you one.

Get a firewall if you're going 24/7 with the connection. Software, hardware, it doesn't really matter but you will need one. (Ok, so it does matter, there are significant differences in features and effectiveness, and cost).

[Kejtar]

SOrry Tucker, but hub won't fly as it will make him purchase a second IP... and then what if he gets a 3rd? 4th? computer?

A firewall/router appliances are getting cheaper and cheaper.... I think you can get them starting at about $40 or so.......

Also you can go the "fancy" way and go wireless... but...... then you have to worry about encryption, password, mac address spoofing and neighbours roaming on your network

Kejtar

[Kejtar]

here you go:
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3362022
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/2690822
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3410033

[Tucker]

No argument here I totally agree, I assumed that multiple IPs were a part of the cable deal.

[KY Chris]

As a side note, how should I be protecting my computer which is on Cable 24/7. I run updated Norton's every week, but that is it. Am I totally vulnerable?

If you have the system resources, use zone alarm. I personally despise norton, its a resource hog.....

[Kejtar]

ummm if you got a hardware firewall you don't really have to run any additional firewall software on your desktops as your computer will be in truth hidden from the net... the only thing that you DO need is AV software and there nothing gets close to NAV (IMHO)

Kejtar

[Tucker]

I like SonicWall for hardware firewalls. Check eBay for deals.

For anti-virus, Norton is all growed up now and doesn't hog like it used to. Seems like there are two kinds of people in the world, those who like McAfee and those who like Norton. Doesn't really matter in the long run, I suppose, as long as the job gets done.

[F. F.]

ZoneAlarm. If you are behind a firewal or router, still a good thing.... no matter what anybody says. controlling incoming and *outgoing* is important.

ZoneAlarm has a free version, as do several others. If you run Windows, do not be laxy and rely on your router.

[Kejtar]

lol.... Mr Fixer guy.... that is an altogether different topic It's often good to know what little pesky applications are trying to do without your knowledge, but from my experience, the more protection a user has loaded the more problems he/she has with getting things working and connected to an outside world

My personal favourite was tiny firewall before they sold out.... their next version (after the sellout.. booooooo) was terrible....
So I'm still searching (sloooooooooowly) for the next best thing

Kejtar

[KY Chris]

I am not behind a firewall at all, unless Insight BB has something in connection with their service that I don't know about. I'll look into the Zone Alarm and SonicWall, I suppose I need something.
Thanks again.

[RichP]

Recommendation that I use for both residential broadband and commercial customers that want an effective firewall and don't want to buy $$$ cisco pix's. Use an SMC7004abr, it is a 4 port 10/100 switch with NAT and DHCP built in. It also has a parallel port so that you can plug a printer into it and print to it from any machine in the network. It also has a serial port for an external modem for failover, broadband goes down it will automatically dialup if you have that kind of setup with your ISP. Cost is under $100. It has a wan port that you connect to the cable or dsl modem. I use these coming off cisco routers with fractional T up to dual T-1's and they work fine, the wan port is a 10mb port so unless you have full DS-3 or OC your not going to max that port out
I prefer the SMC over the the netgear and other consumer ones for it's features. Configuration takes about 5 minutes and you can lock it down tight. It has alot of nice features.
Comes in two models, 7004 and the 7008, the 7004 is small and has an external wall wart powersupply the 7008 is a rackmountable box with internal power supply. I have all my systems on UPS's so they are on 24/7, the 7008 I have now has been up for 9 months w/o a reboot, good warranty too, lifetime.
I do not recommend software firewalls, PERIOD, they are all crap. They pray on peoples paranoia and report BS and nonevent items to convince you that they are doing something. They are memory hogs, annoying as heck when trying to do updates and generally drive me nuts. I've had customers whose annoying little problems on their PC's mysteriously go away once sonicwall or zonealarm is removed.
Like I said above, I do alot of those SMC routers along with alot of external modems for the majority of customers who like me are limited to dialup accounts and they love them, specially the small business's. All you need is the router firewall, good av software and ad-aware for spyware cleaning and checking, you don't need anyting else.

[Kejtar]

I do have to second Rich on the SMC unit... I have the slightly older unit (same one as his.. but the first one of the series I believe) and everytime a friend calls me up trying to set up a netgear one or linksys one it's a bear! The smc one took me about 3 minutes to setup (after I figured out that there is a manual power switch on it: took me 1.5 minute to find it )

Kejtar