Hi mr. mark
or
That depends <g>
If your DSL modem currently uses a crossover cable to connect to your NIC you will have to replace it with it a straight through cable when you connect it to your router. You will also require a straight through cable from your PC NIC's to the router. Your DSL Modem likely forms a network link directly to your PC NIC and without the intermediary service of a concentrator or hub and this would normally require a crossover cable, DCE/DCE (Data Communication Equipment). When you add a router to the mix you will have a DTE/DCE (Data Terminal Equipment) connection to each network device, this will mean standard cables. Crossover cables generally switch pins 2 & 5 (If I remember correctly).
In any event I will cover my ass and advise that you keep the crossover cable and if it doesn't work with straight through wiring, use that cross over cable from the CM to the router.
Regardless, you will require straight through cables from your PC's to the router, for sure.
In a normal DSL hookup you will have a computer connected to the internet through the cable modem, the NIC receives an IP from the service provider as does the DSL adapter or CM. This computer is already networked and to add it to another network requires a second NIC. Having the CM or DSL adapter connected to the router extends the network connection from the CM throughout the network. The router usually implements a DHCP service (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and supplies the PC's with IP information and the router becomes the default gateway for the PC's on the network. The network PC's are given private or non-routable IP's usually in the 192.168 or 10.0 network range, this is the Network Address Translation feature of the router and serves to prevent unauthorized inbound access. Routers use discovery protocols to automate the network connection process so very little user input is required.
A computer can be configured with two NIC's so that it is also a router, this option becomes less popular as router costs drop. You can take a computer acting as a router and use to to run a firewall. This is a far more secure setup for your connection but does require extra money and knowledge.
Remember, just using a NAT adds one level of protection, using a NAT with a firewall is a better level of protection but does introduce some maintenance and knowledge requirements, using a NAT, a firewall and good anti-virus program is the best protection you are likely to get.
It helps if you have someone to blame when the sparks fly as well, heheheh, I always blame Microsoft, it is easy and they don't mind. In the most secure environments, the name of the firewall software is protected as well, this prevents known bugs from being exploited. |
