<HELP> Broadband Router advice (NLC)

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:45 pm

Guys - I know you can help me....

Home PC is working great on BT Broadband with an Alcatel USB modem. PC is hardwired (RJ45) to phone socket.

I now have a new work laptop (HP) which I want to connect through a VPN as well (Home PC stays also), via the BT Broadband line. Laptop will need to be connected via the ethernet port only.

Do I need to by a new modem/router and, if so, is there a good way of doing this with minimum faff ?

Thanks in advance....

Phil.

offshorematt · Post by **offshorematt** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:10 pm

If you're connecting up both computers to broadband you'd be as well going wireless, no?
I'm no expert but I just hooked up my dad's system... The home computer was previously going through the BT modem to the broadband connection same as yours. For £70 he got a wireless modem/router that replaces the BT modem and is pretty easy to set up (the BT helpdesk gives you all the settings you need in a couple of minutes). His laptop was wireless enabled but if yours isn't, the hardware is cheap enough and just plugs in.

Any help?

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:20 am

Yup, get a netgear wireless router modem that will have ethernet (for network cables to your PC if you want) or it wil supoprt wireless.
If you laptop has built in wireless sorted, if not ~30 for a USB wireless sitck. You cna also put the wireless stick in your PC to make it wireless too.
Post up the kit you are going to buy before you do if you want.

SP

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:27 am

Router: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Netgear-DG834G-80 ... dZViewItem

Wireless USB: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Netgear-Wireless- ... dZViewItem

Wireless card better suited to laptop: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Netgear-WG511-802 ... dZViewItem

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:40 am

Sanjoy,

The home PC is still performing well (with Alcatel Modem). The new laptop is from work (HP Compaq NC2400 I think). It's running Win2000 (I know !) and has been locked down to some extend. I think the wireless will work, but the Bluetooth not.

Home PC connects to BT Broadband (2Mbps)
Laptop needs to connect to work servers via VPN

So, I'm guessing (as a layman), that the Netgear modem router will replace the Alcatel modem, the Home PC will connect to BT as before and I then connect the HP Laptop into the ethernet connection (or hopefully via wireless) and I just try the VPN settings (at the same time ?) on the HP to run my office applications at home.

Please tell me it's not more complicated than this !

Thanks for the help so far.

Skyenet · Post by **Skyenet** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:22 pm

I am with Wanadoo and have their cheapest Broadband Service which has worked fine and given me no problems. I pay an extra £4 a month to subscribe to their Wireless and Talk Service (which is free for 6 months to new subscribers)

http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/time/talkoffer ... net_access

For the £4 you get a Livebox which allows 2 Ethernet PC connections and Wireless Connections for all other Computers plus an extra telephone Line (and number) for making free weekend and evening calls to UK Landlines. The Livebox package comes complete with a USB Wireless Adaptor. Their info says it does not support Apple Macs but I have 2 Macs connected by ethernet 24/7 and never had any problems. Managed to share files over the network after some trial and error. My PC is connected by the USB adaptor and all works well. The setup meant that I never had to shell out for any hardware and the £4 works about about the saving I now make on my BT bill monthly.

This worked out fine for me as I was already with Freeserve and moved over to Wanadoo and then upgraded to their Broadband service.

Iain

Post by **simon** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:55 pm

Get yourself a wireless router with an adsl modem built in, connect the desktop pc straight into that and connect the laptop using wireless. Easy.

VPN is another issue altogether and provided you have the machine set up correctly and your work has the vpn set up correctly, you'll be able to access it once your laptop is online.

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:14 pm

Worth speaking to your IT dept.

Sky Plc lock their laptops down too which means that unless you have their VPN software installed and fired up you cannot use the internet at all. The essence of which is that all your browsing is subject to their screen and recording and as a result this site is blocked as a club / forum site.

No need to worry about bluetooth not used in the above example. Have yo uever used the wifi on the laptop as some IT depts lock that down too to stop laptops getting hacked. Another thing worth checking.

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:03 pm

OK - part 1 done - Ethernet Card / connection /Modem-Router installed and now running.

part 2 (VPN for work computer) to follow......

Thanks for the help so far - I'm running out of nerves....

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:05 pm

Getting google up is 90% of it. You have your companies Tech workforce behind you now ......

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:28 pm

Part 2 - VPN worked at treat (ethernet only at the mo - wireless to follow)

YeeHaa

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:28 pm

Part 2 - VPN worked at treat (ethernet only at the mo - wireless to follow)

YeeHaa

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:29 pm

Part 2 - VPN worked (cable)

Now for wireless

YeeHaa

Post by **simon** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:40 pm

So the VPN worked?

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:16 am

Oops - was getting failed messages from IE6 - apologies

Part 3 is iPAQ connected through router and viewing Scottishelises.com on the iPAQ

Pity the laptop is locked down and has not wireless drivers on the Win2000 donkey set-up to do this - must be a way of hacking this in (I don't have admin rights {yet} )