Sharing Broadband (Cable/DSL)

G

Game Master 128

New member
There are several of us now days that have a few computers around the house with at least one of them being connected to the internet via Cable or DSL. We all know that there is expensive hardware that allows you to share your cherished broadband connection with your other computers while not having to pay for more IP Addresses, but it is what it is, expensive! There is software out there that allows you to do the same thing over your LAN using NAT (Network Address Translation) instead of a router.

Is anyone on here using this kind of software SUCCESSFULLY? I have tried to use WinProxy and WinGate, but it never seems to work out right. The only way I can share my internet, currently, is to use a basic proxy program which uses ports on the host computer to share certain types of internet protocols such as HTTP or FTP. This can be a pain in the ass because you have to configure each individual program on the computers to use the proxy. Some programs don't even support proxy's!

I was just hoping that someone that is successfully using a program that uses NAT could recommend their program or to give some helpful information to those of us that would like to share their broadband with their other computers.

Thanks in advance!
 
I've been using the ICS in Windows 2000 without a hitch for a few months now. I've also heard that freesco works really well if you have an old 486 lying around. Using a dedicated server would probably be the easiest solution if you're on Win9x. I tried setting up WinProxy at a friend's house once, but I couldn't get it to work for the life of me.
 
Forget all that. It's not expensive now. Go right now, today, (while it's still on sale) and get the D-link 704 Cable DSL router for $49.97. This is the straight price, no rebate or anything. This will route, switch, and have a built in hardware firewall. It sets itself up. It took me literaly 3 minutes to do. I just bought it yesterday and set it up last night. It is AWESOME.

I'm not saying this will work but it did for me. I went to Circuit City and had them pricematch Bestbuy(they called and confirmed price and availability) and did it. So I paid $49.97 there and then the 2 rebate slips printed out. The girl was shocked and didn't want to give them to me. But she finally did. So I then got this fine router for FREE after the rebates.

For all this does and the headache it saves, $49.97 is a steal. But FREE after rebates is a steal literaly.

It also includes 2 CAT5 cables. So you can set up a small network right away.

If you need a good network card Bestbuy has the Netgear FA311 on sale for $9.97. These are nice cards and I'm using one now. But this price is great. Plus no rebate you hope will come.

Good luck. But this way really is the way to go. I used to be like you, Using Proxys and ICS(I'm cheap). But at these prices it's not worth the hassle. The routers are simple, cheap, and WORK.
 
I had no idea you could get a router that cheaply. If you can get a deal anywhere that good, you should get that. Forget about WinProxy and all that crap, because routers are still easier to setup.
 
I'm a little bit confused... How did you get it for free with the rebates? I thought they just match the price of competitors and beat it by a few dollars or so. Was it some kind of a mess-up that you benefited from? Also, how many ports are there on the router other than the uplink (I'm hoping four)? I could look it up, but with me being lazy and all.

LOL ;)
 
I decided to look it up on CircuitCity's web site and I found the following:

"Modems & Networking: D-LINK 5-Port Internet Home Gateway
Brand/Model: DLK DI704

$99.00

Price is before: $20 mail in rebate(s)
Price is before: $30 mail-in rebate(s)

They say that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. With D-Link's Home DSL Cable/Modem Gateway and 4-Port Switch, you won't have to worry about weak links. Like a strong chain-link fence, the DI-704 stops hackers & unwanted intruders in their tracks with its firewall protection. With the ability to link up to 253 PCs to the Internet, the DI-704 provides simultaneous Internet access for multiple users, making it the perfect tool for small businesses & home users."

It says that it is $99!?! So.. It was on sale at Bestbuy for $49 and you had CircuitCity beat the price? That would mean that it would be free after the rebates that CircuitCity reffers to in the small product blurb above. Am I right? Is this they way it worked? If so tell me how to prove that it is on sale for $49 at Bestbuy so I can get my ass over to CircuitCity!!!

<EDIT>
Here is the link to it on Bestbuy:
http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11065960&m=488&cat=540&scat=1575

Hmm.. It says it is $99 too. This doesn't look to promising.
</EDIT>
 
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Sorry I thought it was pretty clear. I was hoping you would read this before Bestbuy closed for the day.

You are correct. CircuitCity has the router for $99, with a total of $50 in rebates. Here it is $50 after the rebate.

Bestbuy on the other hand, had it at $49.97, I went to Bestbuy which was just down the street to check and see if they had it in stock. They did.

I then went to CircuitCity and asked if they pricematch they said yes. "If we can call and verify the price, and it is in stock". They then called Bestbuy and that was it. BAM $49.97. But after I paid, the rebates from the register started printing out, and the sales girl about sh*t herself. She stood there talking aloud wondering what to do. She's like "this is going to make this free". And I'm saying yes it is. She started to get on the phone to call the manager to ask him. But she then stopped, and threw the rebates in the bag and quickly said "this isn't in the system" and kind of gave me the sign to get while the getting was good. I smiled and said thanks. And walkled out the door with the router and the rebate forms.

So my friend not only did I get a killer price out of pocket, but in a few weeks I will have gotten this fine peice of technology for FREE!!!!

But sad to say, things are different now. Bestbuy is now selling these at $99 with a $30 rebate, making it $69 after the rebate. Not a bad price, just not a KILLER price. This is in the new flyer.

The CircuitCity rebate ended the 28th. So no dice there. You can check, and they may have a new deal. But I'm sure it's not as good.

You know I had to go to Bestbuy tonight before they closed, to get a $9.97 Netgear nic. And I saw one of these routers. I knew they were going to go up. And I thought of you and almost purchased it. But since I hadn't heard from you, I had to let it pass.
 
If you don't mind rebates(this one's not to bad). Here is the next best deal. It's not the same exact unit as mine. It's actually meant to replace it.

Amazon.com has the new D-Link 804 4-port fully switched cable/DSL router for $79.99, with a $30 mail-in rebate. As best I can tell from reading technical documents on D-Link's site and elsewhere, the 804 appears to be a replacement to the 704, with the main differences being that the 804 has the plug-ins on back (makes more sense) and has a graphical interface for changing the router's settings. The 704 is in a metal casing, and the 804 is plastic. Other than that they are the same. I prefer the metal(not a big deal), but all cables on the back is much nicer.


To get this deal:

1. Find the router at Amazon.com
Price is $79.99, and you can print the $30 rebate from this page.


Amazon D-Link 804

2. Use a $10 off a $75 purchase code. **UPDATE** The code is: AMZNSWEEPBXX. Amazon SPECIFICALLY says: "*** This offer is restricted to one per customer. Feel free to pass it on to a friend! ***" This code is intended for wide, public release.

3. Shipping will be about $6. Your net cost will be $80 - $10 -$30 + $6 = $46.

So for $69.99 out of pocket you can get this guy, and after the rebate comes in you'll only have $46 invested in it total including shipping!!! $46!!!!

These are great routers. And this is the sucessor to the one I have.

I don't think you can go wrong. Sorry you missed out on the other one. But this one is damn cheap, especialy with the extra $10 coupon code.
 
Well, damnit! I would have gone over to CircuitCity before it closed, but I wasn't sure how I could prove that it was $49 at Bestbuy. I don't have an advertisement for it and I sure in the hell don't know the phone number to the nearest Bestbuy. Hell, I don't even know where a Bestbuy is! I know there is one somewhere close to me, but I'm not sure where. I think there is one in Beaverton. If you would have got one for me I would have made sure to send you the money. Well, anyway, I think I'll go over to the mall tomorrow to check CircuitCity, CompUSA and maybe even Bestbuy to see if they still have them on sale here. If they don't I'll hurry myself back and order that baby off the net.

Wish me luck! ;)
 
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I was just reading up on what people thought about it at Amazon.com and saw the following:

"good router with easy setup guide but I wanted to run more services then the built in ftp/http/smtp etc services. I got the firmware update and it still didn't include it. If you want to have webhosting off of port 80 and have a box that can host off of a non standard port your out of luck. I also wanted to run vnc off of a box but couldn't do this. A good, cheap router if all you want is an internet connection but don't need any port services. I'm going to return this one for the netgear RT-311, or maybe the RT-314. The 314 is the same except has built in hub. I guess I should have checked some other source to see firmware specs... or maybe it is a physical limitation that doesn't allow the port sharing but I doubt it."

This really bothers me.. I'm hoping he just didn't know how to get it share custom ports. I also need to share port 80 for my web hosting. I also have a few other programs that require certain ports. Like I said, I'm hoping he just didn't know how to do it. I guess I'll have to do some further investigation.

**UPDATE** ;)
I visited D-Link's website in an effort to get the specifications for both of the routers and on their Broadband page I found the DI-704. This is what it said about it:
Features:
Firewall/NAT/IP Sharing/DHCP Server
PPPoE Compliant
Allow DMZ and Custom Ports
Click to expand...
As you can see it says it allows DMZ and custom ports. They don't list the 804 on their product page yet, only on their support page where I read the manual. Both of the router's manuals fail to say anything about custom ports, but since the 704 supports it the 804 should too. I can't be sure, so I don't know what I should do. What if they indeed did leave out custom port support on the 804, because they felt it was unnecessary for home users? I might have to look into getting the older 704 no matter what.
 
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That sounds a little off. I just went to the web-based configurator, and it looks to be really easy. You can put in any port number you want and can assign it to any server IP. Yes there is a drop down menu on the bottom that clearly says "well known services" and you can chose fom them. But I think this is just for convinience for those that have no idea how to set this up. This thing is really easy to use. It also has a function to open multiple ports for certain programs that need it, the "tunneling" feature". This is under "special APS". This too has a drop down menu for popular programs that need this. But you can put in any trigger and incoming ports you want.

You can if all else fails just put the machine in the DMZ "demilitarized zone" it will route and switch the same it just lifts the firewall. If it then works you can leave it this way and use a software firewall. Or spend some time and find exactly how to configure it right so you can then use the firewall for this machine again.

Plus it comes with lifetime support, so they'll help get you running if you need them. But hell with tech sites and boards like this who needs them?

I really think it should do what you want it to. And for the price and ease of use, you can't beat it. Hell if you've been willing to bang your head against the wall trying to configure those proxies. Putting a troublesome machine in the DMZ and then working backwards to secure it again shouldn't be a problem.

I've read a LOT of reviews of this box and have not heard one bad thing about it(until now). Go to epinions and read about the routers. Want to hear some bad reviews? Check out the Linksys router reviews.

This router is made by the same OEM that makes the SMC,Assante, and 3com home networking, and wireless networking. It's good stuff.

For the price, ease of use, and functions, there is no other choice.

Oh also that guy says he want a Netgear one. I just went to practicallynetworked.com and read an in-depth review. It does the server port thing the same way, with the popular ones as choices and then you can enter whatever ones you want. Also It is not known if it can support multiple clients per VPN termination. But the netgear is said to have some problem with the access controling functions. Which is well known and confirmed by many other sites.

Trust me as far as router/gateways anywhere near this price range, the only thing this thing doesn't have or do is a built in print server. You CAN'T go wrong.
 
I would give a call to D-link and ask if the port situation is the same with the 804 as it is in the 704. As far as I know it's just the new replacement. And that would be a really dumb thing to mess with.

But a phone call could possibly answer that question. Or even an email. If you email support, or customer service now, you may receive a response by monday. It's worth pursuing. Because you can save some cash.

But in any event I know for a fact the 704 kicks ass.

If you decide you need to go with the 704 well the Bestbuy deal is always there. $69 after rebate. Too bad I didn't hear for you. I would have picked this guy up and shipped it to you, while I was there earlier.
 
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Oh, and one more thing. Does it still allow you to share your folders and printers over your LAN? My friend has a router that just shares the broadband and doesn't allow you to interact with the other computers on your LAN (like network games). This is just something I was hoping you could clear up while I wait on that email from D-Link.
 
I am also after a router for my broadband connection but I live in the UK can anyone recommend a cheap router avaliable in the UK
 
SMC Barricade

SMC Barricade

is what I use in the UK.

Check here for details http://www.smc-europe.com/english/products/broad.html

I paid about £100 for it, but it really is worth it. The latest firmware has added some nice features to it as well.

It'll spoof your the MAC address from your PC so you dont even have to contact your cable provider when you install it.
 
yes thats intresting about the spoofing of the mac address. But surely I wouldnt need to tell my broadband provider (NTL) about the router as it is behind the modem?
 
This is to Game Master 128. This guy is a complete solution. It will handle just about all of your network needs for home or small business. It has a built in switch that will share everything a regular hub or switch will. It's a network in a box(minus the nics).

As far as what is available in the UK have no idea as I'm in the states. But the SMC unit is a fine unit. It is made by the same OEM as the D-limk I'm speaking of. But the SMC has a print server built into it. Which looks to be a cool function.

As far as the MAC address. This is important. Because a lot of providers will only que off of your MAC adress of the card on file with them. Being behind the modem has no bearing on this. You are on a network. If they cannot verify the MAC adress on your system it will not work. But if the router clones the address, all they see is your computer(virtualy). They think the router is your computer, when in fact your comp is hiding behind it, and probably with several friends. :)
 
david_eales said:
yes thats intresting about the spoofing of the mac address. But surely I wouldnt need to tell my broadband provider (NTL) about the router as it is behind the modem?
Click to expand...

I'm with Telewest. I don't know if it's the same for you, but the MAC address of your PC has to be registered with them before your PC can acquire an IP address. With the spoofing, you don't have to bother registering the new MAC address with them, you just plug in and go :)
 
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