Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize,microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web,microsoft.public.tr.win9x-ntw (
More info?)
Be it a router or a PC connected to the Internet via ADSL or Cable, the
connection is sill 'shared' with all devices on the LAN.
The speed of data flow in the LAN and the avoidance of data collisions is
more important.
That is why most PCs connected to servers now go through an ethernet SWITCH
as opposed to a HUB. They perform similar functions, where a hub allows for
data to pass between any two devices attached [as may a router] and only two
devices at any one point in time. A switch differes in that data may flow
between any pairs of devices provided one of them is not busy exchanging data
with another. So a switch has the ability to accomodate simultaneous
connections, and a hub not. Inm your case 22 PCs are locked out each time
data moves between two others!
Now the swtch [and PC NICs] may have Gigabit capacity, which is many times
faster than the flow of data via a DSL connection.
A router is more or less a Modem with a Switch built in, and it also has the
intelligence to manage an internet connection: thus connects to the internet
and accomodates the flow of data between pairs of PCs. The DSL modem only
goes between the server and the internet. It is this 'single connection'
which causes speed differentials between the modem and a server then through
to other PCs and the Router sending data to a specific PC. If the server is
busy servicing activities between other PCs, it won't allow data to flow in
from the modem. Just think of the router as being an Octopus with many
tentacles each one attached to a PC. The DSL modem to Sever connection is by
comparison only a Snake. Speed differences are largely dependent upon the
speed of the NIC in each PC, not just the performance of a DSL modem
connected to a server.
As for RAM on a server: the more RAM the less data is moved in and out of a
Pagefile or Swapfile: so RAM and more of it boosts overall performance.
Microsoft decided to make IIS an optional component that is not installed by
default when you install the Windows Server 2003 operating system. The only
exception is the Web Server Edition of the OS, which by definition is
designed to be used only for web services and does not include many of the
components (such as the ability to be a domain controller) built into the
other three editions. So, depending upon the version you buy, Internet
'sharing' is always available, so why bother with WinGate or other: just
install IIS.
"First Man" wrote:
> Hi All
>
> I very much appreciate all the input from the respondents. I
> understand that the best solution is to put a router. The router
> project is already in progress, but it will take some time as there
> are many other similar places to be connected, and it will take its
> pace.
>
> In the meantime, we want to find an interim solution by using a DSL
> shared connection. Now, to take the scenario further, here are the
> issues:
>
> 1) I am planning to install some 3rd party software (preferably
> freeware) on NT Server (which is connected to the rest of the LAN
> through a 24 port hub).
>
> 2) I have explored many programs and have even tried FreeProxy.
>
> 3) How much will be the speed difference if I use NT server with
> FreePRoxy as compared with a Cisco Router? Does processor power matter
> in this case? How about RAM on server? As I understand the data will
> be flowing from one network connection to the other so not much
> processing power/memory should be required?
>
> 4) In FreeProxy, I have seen Usergroups, User Accounts, Password, etc.
> But when I tried to browse through a client by putting Servername and
> port (8080) in Internet Connection/LAN Settings, it did not prompt me
> for any username/password. Isn't it weird? Am I doing something wrong.
> I will certainly like to see who is accessing the net and preferably,
> what activity is being done.
>
> 5) I also tried WinRoute, WithGate, WinProxy, etc but they did not run
> well on XP.
>
> The above issues are open for comments/suggestions.
>
> Thanks once again.
> Cheers.
>
> James Egan <jegan@jegan.com> wrote in message news:<qg5o31p1n1bha36r0m72o9og39rdpg9kmi@4ax.com>...
> > On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 20:41:30 -0500, daytripper
> > <day_trippr@REMOVEyahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > >> To enhance internet speed, we are considering to have a DSL connection,
> > >> with may be 2mbps bandwidth. connecting with a single pc. This pc will
> > >> have internet connection sharing so that others may benefit from the
> > >> high speed net connection.
> > >
> > >Get it this time? Do you know what ICS actually does?
> >
> > What's the affinity with ICS? Particularly on an operating system that
> > doesn't support it. With a adsl router he could dispense with all the
> > hassle at very small cost. And get better ping times, throughput etc.
> >
> > >
> > >And in his original post, he mentions supporting up to 20 LAN clients with
> > >some internet access solution, hence the math on what he's actually need for a
> > >router/switch solution. Yeah, fine he can use a 20-something port switch
> > >uplinked to a single port router, but I doubt that's actually cheaper...
> >
> > If he already has 20 lan clients and a NT server then his network
> > infrastructure is already in place so why the sudden need to get a 20
> > port switch? He can easily plug the modem/router into his existing
> > hub/switch. Not to mention that it will be infinitely more secure to
> > separate the Internet connection from the LAN server.
> >
> > Jim.
>