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What do I need?

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by pzhamilton

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I work with a company with aproximately 75 users that will need Internet access maximum but generally only 50 users. We currently have a 56K line. Slow. We are planning an upgrade to DSL. We have a 2000 server and plan to use NAT. We were told that we need a DSL Modem and a Cisco 1700 series router. I was thinking more of a DSL modem/router and a switch. Do I really need the Cisco router? Can anyone explain if there is a difference between DSL Modem and DSL router?

Thanks
Paul

10 replies

by thechas

If you already have everybody networked, then I don't understand the need for an additional router.

To some extent, it depends on which DSL modems the ISP supports. Some ISPs are not supporting stand alone modems.

I would connect the DSL modem to a hardware firewall, then if you want to increase security further, route the DSL signal into the network through a PC setup with a software firewall.

I myself haven't seen any combination Modem/Router devices. I have seen some of the combination firewall/switches referred to as DSL or cable routers though.

by ins413

I would have to agree with TheChas on this one. I do not see a need for an additional router as well. You say that you are going to use NAT anyways. Let NAT do all your work for you (DHCP, DNS, and Address Translation, Firewall). Connect the clients to the internet via the NAT box. A proxy server would great while giving you the security that you may need. It can be a nightmare setting up if you don't know what you are doing with it. NAT has some firewall capabilities as well, but I would stick with a software firewall solution. Either way, you end up saving money. As far as the difference between a DSL modem and a DSL router... A DSL modem is the device that attaches to your computer from the phone DSL provider. The DSL router is the device that attaches from your DSL modem to the rest of the internal network. In other words, it allows you to share the connection with ther PC's, instead of just the one. Hope this helps.

by ins413

One more thing. My setup here consists of a cable modem attaching to a small home dsl/cable router. I have the router attached to a switch via the uplink port. I now have the capability for twenty four machines to connect via the single switch using only one port on the router. That means with a four port router and four 24 port switches I can have connectivity for up to 96 machines total.

by Member 26223562

Take a look @ the router/firewall/switch(s) (all in one) for DSL that is available from LinkSys. A good buy and easy to setup. It will handle DHCP and NAT. There is also a model with all the options listed above and wireless (802.11b).

by wlbowers

I wouldn't use dsl for that number of users.
I would use a T1 or partial T1. The reason being is that the dsl will have a greatly reduced upload speed. DSL usually runs 1.5 download and @300k upload. With a dedicated T1 or partial T1 the speed rates for upload and download are the same.

I would use a Cisco router but use the first model that allows their firewall software to be implimented. This will kill two birds with two stones, and at a greatly reduced cost. A hardware firewall like theCisco Pix 500 series runs approx $4000.00

Hope this helps.

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