Sharing internet connection using a broadband router

A dedicated broadband router is a much better approach than the one above when more than two computers need to share one broadband internet connection. With this method, all computers on the network are connected together using a switch (or hub), and the switch is connected to the broadband router. All the computers can then connect to the internet using the router as a gateway (see Figure 3). The router would normally be left on; it has no moving parts, is low voltage and silent. This means that any computer on the network can connect to the internet at any time without delay.

All routers provide a degree of network security through a technology called Network Address Translation or NAT. NAT means that computers on the internet can only see your router, and they cannot gain direct access to your own computer.

Broadband routers usually have no moving parts in them (i.e. a disk or fan), so they are silent in operation and hardly ever fail.

Setting broadband routers up is usually a straight-forward process too. Most will automatically detect the necessary settings, and they will usually set up your home network for you too (using a technology called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or DHCP).

Why use this approach?

When more than two computers need to share an internet connection. When the uptime of the main 'gateway' computer cannot be relied upon (as is the case with Microsoft ICS). When you don't want your own computer connected directly to the internet for security reasons. When the additional security features of a router are desirable.

1.      Broadband Internet connection sharing using a hardware router

Hardware Requirements for connection sharing using a broadband router

1 x network card and network cable per computer

Each computer must have an Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) installed, and must be connected to the router with Ethernet cable.

1 x broadband router

It is the router that allows multiple computers on a network to use the same internet connection. Broadband routers typically perform multiple tasks, and those suitable for home and small office use will often have a built in four port switch, router (and firewall), and either a cable or ADSL modem. It is usually preferable to use an all in one solution than three separate devices.

1 x switch (if not included with the router)

If the broadband router does not have a built in switch, then a separate one will need to be purchased. You must make sure the switch has enough ports to connect all the computers and the router together.

1 x broadband modem (if not included with the router)

If the broadband router does not have a built in modem (either a cable or ADSL modem), then you will have to purchase a separate modem. Most routers will require that the modem has an Ethernet port to connect to. However many broadband modems are either PCI (internal cards) or external devices with USB connections. These types of modems will not work with typical routers, so care should be taken when making a purchasing decision.


2.      Broadband Internet connection sharing using a hardware router with separate switch and modem.

~pctech

Tips against PC Virus

When your computer gets infected with a virus it can be a devastating experience. A virus can consume your precious computer files and even damage your computer hardware. Is this worth ignoring? Anything you can do to avoid a computer virus has to be a good thing and is well worth spending your time on. We all know prevention is better than a cure, sharing the tips on how to protect you’re pc against computer viruses.

The first thing that recommend is to research and become knowledgeable about viruses.

 How can you protect your computer from viruses if you don’t even know what they are. Here are some previous tutorials I have written about viruses.

Arm yourself with the best Antivirus software to suit your needs.

Not everyone can get away with using free antivirus software because it depends what you do on your computer. It depends on factors such as if you download files or not, if you open email attachments, and if you surf suspicious websites. See my reviews for the best Virus Removal Software. Let’s face it, if you do not have protection against viruses installed on your computer, you will without a doubt, get a virus within the first hour of surfing the internet. It is that easy.

Having a great Antivirus program installed on your computer to protect you against viruses is great. However, if you do not regularly update the virus definitions, then the program is useless. New viruses are produced daily and this is why we constantly have to update the virus definitions and stay ahead of the bad guys.

When surfing the internet avoid websites.

Be aware of websites that contain illegal software downloads, sexual references, free screensavers, cracks or serials, etc.  It’s sure you get the picture. If you go near these sites you are immediately asking for trouble.

Always update Windows.

 These updates contain security updates that will help in your fight against viruses. If you do not perform regular Windows updates you are leaving your computer in a vulnerable state.

Be careful when opening emails.

There are obvious emails that you know you shouldn’t open, however what about the ones you get from people you know? What if your friend has a virus and it is spreading itself through emails? An email cannot be important enough to risk getting a virus. Delete the email and send a fresh email to your friend asking them if they actually did send you the email.

If you are really serious about protecting your computer you can change your email settings and receive text emails only. You can also disable the ability to open email attachments. Virus travel in HTML enabled emails and file attachments. They cannot travel in text email messages.

Do not use peer to peer (p2p) file sharing programs.

These include programs such as Limewire, Bearshare, Gnutella, Morpheus, Torrents, etc. These programs let you download files from other computer users connected to their program network. You have no way of knowing what you are actually downloading until it is on your computer. Even if you share files from a cd from a friend, it may have a virus.

Do not download files from websites.

Again, there is no way of knowing what you are downloading. The file can appear to be named like the file you want, however it could be anything. Most of the time, this is how a virus is unleashed, it usually seems like a harmless, familiar object.

Make sure you have a firewall enabled on your computer.

Windows comes with an inbuilt firewall or you can use a third party firewall program like Zone Alarm. Either way, make sure the firewall is on…To check the Windows Firewall go to the security settings in your control panel.

If you are careful and are serious about protecting your computer from invading viruses, it is possible to stay safe. This tips will help you keep your computer running smoothly, and virus free.

PC Maintenance Reminder

Computer maintenance is a part of everyone’s lives now, much like owning a car and getting it serviced, it just has to be done. Computers are the same, needing regular maintenance, as they get clogged up with truck loads of hidden files.

Most of the time the average computer user has no idea that they are actually messing up a computer just by using it. Do you surf the internet, read file attachments from your email, or simply write a Word document?

Without even personally saving a file on your computer, there are hundreds of different files save automatically each time you do anything on your computer. For example if you receive an email with a Word document attached to it and open it to read instead of saving it first, the document Will be temporarily saved in the Windows Temp folder.

Imagine after reading this Word document, you try to save it to your computer without looking where you are saving it.

If you do not choose where to save this file it will be saved in a temporary folder. Eventually this temp folder becomes quite large in size without you even realizing.