[TelstraClear] TCL Cable modems and home networks

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Mutly

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Topic # 7203 28-Mar-2006 14:32

Gidday all. I have finally ordered the tcl cable modem service. A question before the installer arrives next month...
Can you use the cable modem as a DHCP server for a small home network?

The FAQ on paradise says no, but it seems a bit odd as the modems can act as a DHCP server... I want to have all my PCs connected via the one modem, but don't want the hassel of having to installing and configuring another nic. ANyone using thier cable modem for this? If so, does how have you got it set up?

Cheers.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Reply # 31662 28-Mar-2006 15:10

You will have to buy a router - then make sure your router will do the DHCP. Also you will configure your IP address on the router. I have this kind of configuration with a Belkin Wireless/Wired (4 ports) router.

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chiefie

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Reply # 31663 28-Mar-2006 15:13

the Surfboard does not have DHCP server, however you can get a broadband router to act as the connecting device and share the TCL broadband connection with your internal network (on DHCP).

My home connection is in such way, as well as Mauricio's too, and several others too I would say.

Just configure your router to have the IP address that given to you by the Installer.

Do note though, the installer will not be responsible to configure your router, what you could do is get the installer to set up your single pc first, note down the IP address, gateway, DNS servers too. And even better, get him to leave a copy of the vital information about your connection from his work order. Make sure he leaves the modem box and whatever leftover cable too.

Once you got those information, you can then consult the router manual on how to configure for static IP connection to ISP, and configure your NATS for sharing etc. With NATS you don't really have to worry about firewall but best recommended leave your windows firewall on. I don't have any full-blown firewall installed on all systems, and totally rely on NATS to mask out the internal IP address, and with minimal firewall protection from windows. Works great.

(Ah! Mauricio truly the master! beat me to this! LOL)

(p/s: I use DLink, which also support XBox Live and UPNP. make sure you get UPNP feature as it is so much easier to configure for programs/devices that need to connect dynamically to the net without interruption on you)

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Mutly

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Reply # 31664 28-Mar-2006 15:47

Well arse. Thanks for the wicked info you fellas. Looks like I will have to set one of my boxes as a router and stuff another nic into it. Ah well. Oh, any reason I can't plug one PC in via USB and another via the ethernet to the same modem? :)

sbiddle

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Reply # 31672 28-Mar-2006 17:52

Mutly: Well arse. Thanks for the wicked info you fellas. Looks like I will have to set one of my boxes as a router and stuff another nic into it. Ah well. Oh, any reason I can't plug one PC in via USB and another via the ethernet to the same modem? :)

Won't work for a number of reasons. Buying a cheap router is probably the easiest way if you don't want a dedicated PC, you should be able to pick something up off trademe for $40 or so.

chiefie

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Reply # 31674 28-Mar-2006 18:07

I'd go for a cheap router rather than using a spare pc. unless you want to give your spare pc more than just routing service, like NAS/Domain functions... like Sbiddles said, you can get a cheap router from trademe, and that's how i got my dlink too, pretty cheap and works well, no complain.

though, i'm looking at adding a 5 ports switch to accomodate more wired connections, getting ready for xbox360, and a NAS storage.

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tonyhughes

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Reply # 31675 28-Mar-2006 18:16

I bought a Pentium III 533 192MB 10GB CDROM FLOPPY all in a nice PC Co. case for $46.95 including delivery on TM a few weeks back.

Router / fileserver / firewall / url logging / print server etc etc etc

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Mutly

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Reply # 31688 29-Mar-2006 09:19

As always I am on a very tight budget (i.e. nothing). Have a few spare PCs lying about so might just stuff Smoothwall onto one of them. If that ends up being to noisy where I want to put it then will look at buying a dedicated router.

JonC

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Reply # 31927 31-Mar-2006 16:55

I'm using a wireless router, but I did notice on the configuration page of my surfboard modem that it has a DHCP option - see http://192.168.100.1/config.html:

"The SURFboard cable modem can be used as a gateway to the Internet by a maximum of 32 users on a Local Area Network (LAN). When the Cable Modem is disconnected from the Internet, users on the LAN can be dynamically assigned IP Addresses by the Cable Modem DHCP Server. These addresses are assigned from an address pool which begins with 192.168.100.11 and ends with 192.168.100.42. Statically assigned IP addresses for other devices on the LAN should be chosen from outside of this range"

So basically it does DHCP, but only when the modem is off-line (how weird is that???) and it doesn't do NAT, which is what you need to share the internet connection.

Mutly

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Reply # 32056 3-Apr-2006 09:20

Ok, a PC router is no longer an option. I am looking at one of these at the moment:

D-Link DI-704UP
NetGear FR114P
Netgear RP614
Linksys BEFSX41

Reviews for all of above are mixed, with only the linksys seeming to stand out at all.

Any suggestions/recommendations? Looking at sub $200.

freitasm

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Reply # 32057 3-Apr-2006 09:26

Believe it or not, the El Cheapo DSE (product code XH8287) works well - better than a DLINK I bought and would freeze every twenty minutes requiring power cycle.

I dread saying this, but it's a fact. And I don't like linking to DSE. Memory is a lasting thing.

I run a Belkin, for the record, which is my second one. The first was a wired router, then I bought this wireless router, which is very good - has been up for almost two years now, with no (just a few) power down during this period.

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sbiddle

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Reply # 32060 3-Apr-2006 10:11

Don't touch a D-Link - their products are all crap.

Linksys are generally regarded as the best by many people however I've had small issues with the 3 differnet Linksys routers I've owned. Some of the new Netcomm products look very nice and are apparently very good.

Mutly

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Reply # 32062 3-Apr-2006 10:12

freitasm: Believe it or not, the El Cheapo DSE (product code XH8287) works well.

Yeah, I was looking at one of those. Just wasn't sure the the cheapest thing I found would do the job well. I had downloaded the manual to check out config options, and it looked shocking, but seemed like it would do everything I needed. In the mean time I have ordered a Netgear RP614 to demo via work. Getting cable modem installed next week so will let you know how it runs.

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Reply # 32063 3-Apr-2006 10:14

I'd steer clear of the netgear Fr114's - these can be dogs. We've had 3 replaced for various reasons on different sites. Most notable reason being that even though you open up certain ports on the firewall, you still couldn't get the traffic through it!! AND then on other occasions, you couldn't STOP certain traffic going through it. pain in the ar$3 if you ask me.

Got a few of those linksys routers in place and they are really quite good.

Can i suggest one other option? I personally use the following LevelOne wireless router with my TCL cable connection and have done so now for about 18 months. Haven't had a single problem with it. I know it's wireless and it doesn't appear to be one of your prerequisites, but hey, it's only $110!! It's a pretty damn good firewall and even if you only use it as a 4 port router/switch you are still saving cash. I was sceptical at first as i didn't know the brand name, but after talking with one of the directors at Ascent he assured me it was a good product and to this day i haven't been disappointed

chiefie

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Reply # 32064 3-Apr-2006 10:47

I think that DSE isn't bad too, i had thought of getting it and still thinking of it too..

I need to add at least 5 more ports to the router, but i don't think there's 8 ports wireless router is there?

Anyhow, I would get something cheap and affordable because they all does pretty much the same. the only thing that mainly be different will be the configuration. I'd be more looking at whether they provide UPnP support, Xbox live compatible (if you use xbox live), and NATs.

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chiefie

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Reply # 32066 3-Apr-2006 10:55

blahbmc: I personally use the following LevelOne wireless router with my TCL cable connection...

It looks pretty good too.. i like it. what's the configuration like? do you have a copy of pdf manual that you can send to me for a look?

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