Re: Silly Question

Daave wrote:
"Paul" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:fn8njs$mv8$1@xxxxxxxxxxx
Daave wrote:
Peter wrote:
In article <DNqdnaMqA4vHDwranZ2dnUVZ_uGknZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxx>,
jrweiss98155NOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx says...
"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote...
I have one PC hooked up to a DSL modem. I want to temporarily
connect another PC to my DSL connection. Would an Ethernet switch
work for this, or do I need a router?
You will likely need a router.

Other options are to temporarily disconnect the first PC, or to use
the Internet Connection Sharing function of Windows.

I recommend the router. It's relatively cheap, and much easier to
configure than ICS.



However, a switch should work, though. If the DSL modem's network
cable
goes to the switch's input socket, then the 2 computers could connect
to
separate ports on the switch and it should work.

What you may have to do is:

Turn off DSL modem and completely unplug it.
Plug net cable that currently goes from DSL to computer into the input
socket of the switch instead.
Plug in and turn on DSL modem
Turn on switch.

This should allow the MAC address on the switch to be freshly picked
up
as the primary MAC address by the DSL modem.
I knew a router would definitely work, but I was wondering why an
Ethernet switch wouldn't work, too. So, assuming this method would work,
would there be any disadvantages to it?

Does the DSL modem have a make and model number ?
What does the manual say about protocols used ?

My DSL modem has only one WAN connector and it carries PPPOE
(point to point protocol over Ethernet). To use it, I either
connect to a router that terminates PPPOE, or I install some
software on the computer (I did that years ago, when I was
using a Mac). Since your device has two interfaces, that implies
it is quite different. For example, if only one interface
can be used at a time, then it could use PPPOE or equivalent.
If both interfaces can be used simultaneously, then ordinary
packets would be expected.

I'm willing to bet the user manual probably has a few words on
the subject. Even a detailed spec *** might hint at what to
expect.

FWIW, it's a Zhone 6381, shipped to me by my ISP.


The Zhone manual here, mentions using their software install
CD when using a second computer with the USB port.

http://www.zhone.com/support/manuals/docs/63/6381-A2-GB23-10.pdf

But this document mentions that WinXP has remote NDIS for USB
already built in. So it is possible the USB option would work
out of the box, without the CD (which is the way I like to see
network stuff setup - no crappy drivers or applications running
while I'm working). (Second paragraph, page 17)

http://www.stanford.edu/~jhbrown/Old/WinXP/Docs/NetworkingInWindowsXP.pdf

The only thing I don't get in the Zhone manual, is why they're
hard wiring the LAN addresses in some of their examples. You'd think
if there is a router inside the 6381, that DHCP would be serving
up addresses automatically.

Paul
.