Cable/Router set up?

[Fat Tone]

Hi Guys

After reading the Cable Router Survey post, I ordered the RT-314 and it should be here today. NTL are coming on saturday to install cable internet/tv/phone. They've already sent me the cable modem which is USB & Ethernet.

I've got the router for a firewall and for eventual sharing when I build a 2nd PC for my son/wife.

Are there any recommendations for the order I should set it all up? eg should I install the modem direct first or set it up with the router straight away to avoid problems with MACs etc? As much detail as possible would be appreciated as I haven't used a router before, only an ethernet card to cablemodem connection.

Thanks in advance

Tony.

PS I'm actually moving into the house where this is going tomorrow, so I hope I get time to install this weekend!

[cbman]

From the setups that I have helped with... its easiest just to go..

Modem ----> Router/Firewall ------> Computers ------> Unreal Tournament/Beer

[Taz]

If NTL are like Blue Yonder (Telewest) they will ask for a MAC address to register, this should be the MAC address of the WAN port on the router. The Ethernet port will also have a MAC address so make sure you give them the correct one. As this address is registered it would be better to set it up with the router rather than to try it with the CM plugged straight into the PC as that would require the MAC address of the NIC to be registered.

[Joel]

Most of these routers being discussed though allowes for MAC address cloning. So even if they do go by the MAC address on the NIC card you can set the router to show that MAC to the internet. I have cable modem and they go by the MAC address on the modem so it doesn't matter what MAC addresses the Router or the NIC has.

Joel

BTW I just picked me up a SOHOware BroadGuard Secure Cable/DSL Router NBG800 http://store.yahoo.com/sohowaredirect/nbg800.html and so far I am very pleased with it. Tried the Linksys but ended up taking it back. Plus this unit was $30.00 cheaper than the Linksys. Got it at Best Buys for $99.00. And I actually think it offers more than the Linksys or Netgear.

[ALBPM]

What was wrong with the Linksys??????

I ended up getting the 4-port Linksys router yesterday. Seems to be popular with the gang at work here. They also know all the tweaks to speed them up.

Paul

[Dilitante1]

I guess the web based user interface wasnt friendly enough =P


Oh well, as long as it does what you want that is all that matters




-Dil

[Liquid Snake]

Hey, I have to configure my router through telnet, so be happy about the web interface

Most routers don't need extra configuration to play games. Setting up a game server, however, is a different story.

[Joel]

Actually I never could get into the interface on the Linksys. Called their tech support and after trying serveral things with them they said it seemed to be defected and to take it back to where I got it for exchange. While in the process of doing that I saw the SOHOware router and liked it's feature set better than the Linksys or the Netgear so I got it instead.

Joel

BTW I'm able to play UT through the router without making any changes.

[ALBPM]

That SOHOware is the only 4-port router I've seen that offers Denial of Service protection. I thought about it but ended up with the Linksys because it seemed to be the router of preference amoung the Gamers.

This had to be the most difficult hardware buying choices I've made....LOL
Mostly due to my lack of Networking knowledge but almost all the reviews I read complained of ... lacking good firmware support or difficulty in getting on gamer servers or especially setting up a server, had to configure via telenet, etc..

Oh well, this will be a new experience. Lots of new terminology.... Port Forwarding, DMZ, DHCP Client, HOST, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN...on and on...

Makes ya wanna go sit on the CAN and think about what I'm getting myself into....LOL

Paul

[Joel]

I just know that since putting this router on my system that the Black Ice program that I have installed on my PC has not register a single hit. And I use to see at least 2 dozen hits a day.

Joel

[ALBPM]

Hey Joel, How's the D/L and upload speeds on the SOHOware???
Do you see any significant slow down???
The reviews said it was slow compared to others.

And have you played UT without problems with packet drops??

I have not unwrapped my Linksys yet so can still return it. The SOHO is $30.00 cheaper than the 4-port Linksys.

Paul

[cjolley]

Paul,
Don't give up on the Linky.
I will post a site that keeps all the latest scoop up to date on it when I get home from work.
chuck

[ALBPM]

Ok Chuck....

I'll wait for it....LOL

Paul

[Laurie]

The RT314 will allow you to spoof the MAC of your nic so that is the only one you need to register. If you can register more than one then obviously register both and you can set it up either way. For some strange reason even though my WAN MAC is registered only spoofing the nic MAC works(yes I have the correct MAC for the WAN).

NIC MAC paddywac give the dog a bone???

[Joel]

Download/Upload speeds don't seem to be effected. And ping times to the MGI server and Elivis's are ~100 most of the time which is still the same as before. I'm like you Paul I don't know a whole lot about this either but the setup of this router was fairly easy and it's working so that in my boat is a big plus in it's favor. Now to start adding the other PCs.

Joel