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Thrax · 02:58 AM

I call SBC to sign up for SBC Yahoo! DSL. I have three computers (two with Mac OS 9.2.2 and one with Windos XP Home), so I figure that I might as well get networking equipment from them as well.

My phone line will be DSL-enabled on Wednesday. However, I received a package via FedEx a few days ago, and this is what I got from them:

2Wire HomePortal Gateway DSL modem
Internal Phone Line Adapter PCI card (for HomePNA)
Ethernet Internal (PCI) Card
5 DSL Filters
Ethernet cable, phone cord, and phone Y-Adapter

I was a bit confused. Why did I need an ethernet card (I mentioned, several times, that all three computers had built-in Ethernet) and HomePNA card (I also told them that all three computers were within a foot of one another)?

I called SBC about this and got the following answers:

"The Ethernet card is included with every home networking package we sell."

"We sell three home networking packages: one with an Ethernet PCI card, one with an Ethernet PC card, and one with no Ethernet card. I believe that the price is the same for all three, but I'm not sure. Call our equipment department on Monday to see if you can return your card for a refund." (Got a similar response when I asked about the HomePNA card.)

"Your DSL modem can only connect to two computers. Since you have three computers, you need a HomePNA adapter to connect the third one to the Internet and your home network."

"You do not need the HomePNA adapter connect a third computer to the Internet or your network. You can use an Ethernet hub or Ethernet switch to connect all three computers to the Internet and your home network at the same time."

I am confused. Can I use an Ethernet hub or switch (or router) so that all three computers are on the Internet at the same time or do I need HomePNA?

jfinete · Jan 12, 2003, 03:30 AM

Call SBC and tell them you that you still want DSL but you changed your mind about buying their equipment.

The only equipment you need is a DSL modem, an Internet sharing router, some Ethernet cables, and maybe the phone Y-adapter. I don't know what the HomePNA card is, but I'm damn sure you don't need it.

Get a router that has multiple Ethernet ports, so you don't need a separate hub.
The router will connect to the DSL modem and each computer will connect to the router via Ethernet. I think the phone Y-adapter is only needed if you want to plug your telephone into the same jack as the DSL modem.

Scotttheking · Jan 12, 2003, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by jfinete:
Call SBC and tell them you that you still want DSL but you changed your mind about buying their equipment.

The only equipment you need is a DSL modem, an Internet sharing router, some Ethernet cables, and maybe the phone Y-adapter. I don't know what the HomePNA card is, but I'm damn sure you don't need it.

Get a router that has multiple Ethernet ports, so you don't need a separate hub.
The router will connect to the DSL modem and each computer will connect to the router via Ethernet. I think the phone Y-adapter is only needed if you want to plug your telephone into the same jack as the DSL modem.

And you need the line filters.

It is also a good idea to take the modem they give you.

Mine just sent me a kit, cost $300 for the modem, $150 for setup, and that was that. Sell what you don't need, I guess.

ghporter · Jan 12, 2003, 06:42 PM

Most definately return the installation kit! HomePNA is horrible! Ok, it's not that bad, but you want "real" networking via ethernet. Then follow the suggestions above for buying home networking equipment that will do what you want.

As for what's in their kits, the people that said there's PCI network cards in every kit they send out were right. That came in handy when I set up my Linux computer and Linux didn't like the built-in NIC on the motherboard. It had no trouble at all with the NIC SBC had sent me.

Thrax · Jan 13, 2003, 05:30 AM

Well, I certainly didn't want HomePNA. All I said was that I didn't want a wireless network because all three computers were close to one another.

Anyway, the installation guide mentioned that multiple computers could connect to the DSL modem using an Ethernet hub or Ethernet switch. Will all three computers be able to to be on the Internet at the same time this way? I thought a router was necessary for this.

AlbertWu · Jan 13, 2003, 05:36 AM

depends on how many IP addresses you have, and/or if you're using the internet sharing built into jaguar

if you have 3 IP addresses from SBC, then use em. otherwise, assign one of the IP addresses to one of the comps, and use a software router.

ghporter · Jan 13, 2003, 05:56 AM

There are way too many names for the boxes on the market that will do what you want. The difference between a "switch" and a "router" in this context is that the "router" includes a Network Address Translation section to share your connection.

For SBC DSL you want one of these routers, also called a "gateway router," such as a Linksys BEFSR41 or similar boxes from other manufacturers. This shares a single IP address from your ISP among up to 4 different, wired computers. It's like this:

Phone line ---- DSL Modem
DSL Modem ----- WAN port of router
Router ---- computer 1
Router ---- computer 2
Router ---- computer 3

You also need microfilters for all of your phones, faxes, answering machines, etc. My installation kit came with four or five of them.

Thrax · Jan 13, 2003, 06:11 PM

I'm starting to think that the DSL modem SBC sent me doubles as a router. The manual describes the DSL modem as a gateway.

Taken from the 2Wire HomePortal Installation guide:
Thank you for selecting SBC Yahoo! DSL home networking or or office gateway solution. This guide contains directions for installing your 2Wire HomePortal gateway and for connecting to your home or office network.

I get ony a single dynamic IP address for my account.

If my DSL modem is also a gateway, does that mean that it's a router? If so, does this mean that I can use and Ethernet hub to connect every computer I have and use them all on the Internet and my home network at the same time?

If not, can I use an Ethernet switch so that they can all be on the Internet at the same time?

Please help. My previous home "network" was a crossover cable.

ghporter · Jan 14, 2003, 07:29 AM

Here is the manufacturer's support page for the Home Portal. It looks like the box is a "one port" router-you can connect one ethernet device to it, and it performs the typical NAT firewall and address sharing functions of a gateway router. This should work fine for you with it wired directly to your Mac. You should go through all of the local setup options to find out what the box does beyond the basic functions. There may be a tweak or two that helps you go faster or safer.

By the way, the Home Portal has a cool case, doesn't it?

quietjim · Jan 14, 2003, 07:40 AM

I have SBC DSL. Most of the stuff in the kit is useless for what you want to do. This is what I'd do...
1. Go buy a router; I use Netgear products and they've worked well for me but others work just as well. Get an ethernet Cat 5 cable twice as long as you need for each computer.

2. Put the phone line decoder on the phone line. Attache the modem to the phone line. Run an ethernet cable to the from the modem to the upload port of the router.

3. Run an ethernet cable from a port on the router to each computer.

4. Enable DHCP on each of the computers.

You should be set.

There are cwertainly other ways to do this; this works for me.

Thrax · Jan 15, 2003, 04:31 AM

Actually, it's a two-port router. (One Ethernet, one USB.) Since I want to keep everything Ethernet-based, I'm ignoring that other port, though. (And I don't think the 2Wire HomePortal looks that cool; it's still beige on the sides.)

Anyway, since SBC hasn't been especially clear with me about just what I need, I went out and bought an Ethernet hub, an Ethernet switch, an Ethernet router, three Ethernet cables, and three more DSL filters (two floor, one wall).

Later today, when the installation guy comes to set up everything - it was required since I have so many phone outlets in my house - I'll ask just what I need and return everything else.

That is, assuming this person is smarter than the people I've talked to over the phone.

Thrax · Jan 15, 2003, 11:10 AM

And now... the conclusion.

I was right. There was no need for HomePNA.

The installation guy upgraded my phone line for DSL and installed a DSL filter on the line itself (too many phones in the house to use individual DSL filters on every phone outlet) and set up one of my computers for DSL.

It was my job to connect the other two computers to the DSL modem/router. I used an Ethernet switch.

So far, everything works.

Everything else I bought will go back to the stores where they came from. I'll find out soon if the unused equipment from SBC can be returned for a refund.

ghporter · Jan 15, 2003, 03:53 PM

Congratulations! Welcome to fast surfing! Enjoy!

PowerMatt · Jan 15, 2003, 11:53 PM

I use SBCYahoo! DSL. I have a few computers. After i changed all my InternetConnect settings to log into SBC and get my username and password. I plugged in my router (netgear rp614) and configured it to enter my info so I never had to use SBCs PC software for my P2 box, and I didn't have to have wierd Internet Connect settings.