[Tiny-E]

Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm a newbie with computers and apples. I was wondering what are the different ways to hook up multiple computers (well, just three) to a single broadband connection in Australia? A friend was telling me that her friend had to use an old computer to network through.
Where I am right now (in Canada), I'm using a router. Is it possible to use a router in Australia? Perhaps, I could buy a router here (as electronics are heaps more expensive in aus as people can attest to). Also, does it make a diff that there will be an apple and a pc trying to hook up to the internet connection?

I just don't know if broadband in Aus (sydney) is the same technology here in North America.

[Camelot]

The short answer is: it depends.

In theory, there's no reason why, say, a DSL router bought in the US wouldn't work in Australia except for:

1) voltage differences (US uses 110V, AU uses 240V(?))

2) telephone jacks (US uses RJ-11 jacks, AU uses...?)

However, you should first check what broadband options are available in your area. Even in the US, DSL isn't available everywhere, cable internet access is even spottier.

There may be satellite broadband options available to you, but even in the US these typically require a PC gateway since the satellite companies only provide Windows installation and support options.

As for the question on sharing between Mac and Windows, there's no problem there at all. Virtually all such routers are going to run DHCP and NAT to share the connection, and these are internet standards that are compatible with all systems.

[ghporter]

Routers don't care what continent they're on. Seriously, there's no reason not to use a router if the broadband device (cable or DSL modem) have an ethernet port for the customer's connection.

In the UK and apparently some parts of Europe the tendency is to go with a combined DSL modem and router, which has its own set of issues. I'm not sure (being a Yank) what sort of broadband systems are available in Australia, but I have seen a large number of web sites about home and small office networking in both Australia and New Zeeland (did I spell that right?), so my money is on you finding a product that does what you want without too much problem.

[fulmer]

Don't sweat it. When you get broadband (cable/dsl), they'll give/sell you a modem, but make sure it is an ETHERNET modem. USB modems suck to no end.

Once you're good to go with your ethernet modem and dsl/cable is active, you should pick up a router. Any router (whether bought in N.A. or AUS) will do; you might want to check here for recommendations, as some are easier and more Mac-friendly in configuring.

Once you have a router, you'll be good to go. Simply by connecting your other computers (be they Macs or PCs) to the router via ethernet, they will acquire 'net access through the router (which is getting its access from the cable/dsl modem).

[Tiny-E]

Besides using a router, what's the other way of splitting the connection (something with using an actual computer?). And what's the difference between the options?

[Camelot]

Originally posted by Tiny-E:
Besides using a router, what's the other way of splitting the connection (something with using an actual computer?). And what's the difference between the options?

The alternative way is to link the broadband connection to one computer and have that computer run some kind of internet sharing setup - in effect acting just like a router.

From the standpoint of other systems in the network, there's no significant difference.

However, the computer that acts as a router will need 2 interfaces (most computers only come with one), will need to be left on and running all time time (otherwise you'd have to boot it everytime you want any other computer to get online), and anything you do on that computer runs the risk of impairing other user's online experience (i.e. if you're playing the latest shoot-em-up on the gateway system, everyone else's network connection will likely slow down. If you crash, everyone goes offline).

Comparing this to a dedicated router, which uses very little electricity, has no fan/noise issues, and doesn't run the risk of bogging down anyone else when you want to play, you can see the router has some significant advantages. They're also typically easier to setup.