Linking PC's with ADSL

[Bobc]

Apologies if this has already been answered before.

ADSL is finally available in our commune - at present we have three PC's (office/home/children) running Windows XP and each connecting to the Internet with their own 56k modem via a shared modem/fax line. We have another line for telephone.

Any advice on the best way to implement an ADSL connection that can be shared by the three PC's.

We are currently with 9online who are offering a 2mb ADSL connection - does anyone have any rxperience of this?

Any help/advice would be gratefully appreciated!

Regards,

Bob Clarke
htp://grindoux.9online.fr

[Hegs]

Your best bet IMHO is a wireless ADSL router. This plugs into the phone line and a power socket, and gives (usually) 4 "wired" network ports and an (?)unlimited number of wireless connections.

The benefit of this is that each computer is independent, and the router provides a firewall etc, and for the average size house no cabling should be necessary - plus using a laptop with a wireless ADSL connection is quite exhilarating!

The cost is from about UKP 85 for the wireless router, about UKP 5 for any wired network cards, and about UKP 40 for a wireless network card.

A slightly cheaper solution is to use one computer as the gateway (in which case it needs to always be on), then use "internet connection sharing" - see Windows XP help on how to set this up. Here the cost is just of the network cards, plus a switch (UKP 25).

I have a draytek router, LinkSys are also good, but these things are rapidly becoming a commodity.