network question

[jman1980]

i currently have 3 machines running thru a linksys 4 port router. i just used the "network wizard" on all 3 machines and everything works, however, im not sure this is the most efficient way, that is my question. when i added the third machine, i ended up with an "internet gateway" icon on all 3 machines in the network connections folder, i never had that with only 2 machines. i would like to be able to "disconnect" each machine individually from the network and or internet. with my current configuration, i cant, if i enable the "internet gateway" icon, none of the machines can access the internet, the only way to disconnect them is to shut them down. any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Sarrkazztic]

What Operating system are you using......I personally do not ever use that network setup wizard I do all my setups manually....and have never had that gateway icon on my desktop or in my network places....lets find out more about your setup and proceed with this..

[jman1980]

machine 1) dell 1.8 ghz pent.4, 512 ram, intel 10/100 pro2,
machine 2) built 1 ghz celeron, 256 ram, netgear NIC
machine 3) (the kids) 300 mgz pent.2, 196 ram, linksys NIC
all running xp home
thru linksys 2 port router with 768 dsl service

in the little reading i did after posting, should i be running 2 NIC's per machine, 1 network, 1 internet? i probably getting ahead of myself. the main reason for this post is a marked loss of download speed with all 3 machines onine at the same time (this aint T1) i do expect some of that, however, when i only had 2 on the network, i could run a "speed test" @ dslreports and still manage 642 up and 327 dn., with the current configuration and all 3 machines online, my dnload is the same as my upload.

[jman1980]

by the way, its a pppoe connect

[Newt]

Before I say any more on this one, some clarification please.

In the original post you say you have a 4 port LinkSys router. Later you say a 2 port. It makes a huge difference so which is correct? In fact, the exact model would be helpful. If 4 port and recent, probably BEFSR41. If 2 port, I'm stumped since I'm only aware of 1,3,4 port devices by them.

[Wino]

If you are using ZoneAlarm firewall, you can right click on icon in system tray and click 'Stop All Internet Activity' on an indivdual machine and it will be out of the loop until you uncheck it.

[jman1980]

it is a 4 port router, i just ran 2 machines thru it. i added the third machine on friday, 10-4-02, that is when the "internet gateway" icon showed up. i just want to do this the most efficient way possible and not to have all machines online when they are on, but only when someone needs to be online. an example, if im online playing games and my wife just wants to run some word docs., she doesnt need to be online, but when she turns her machine on, it will be connected automatically, and start sucking my bandwidth when she doesnt even need or want to be online to do what she is doing, likewise applies to the third machine. thanks.

[jman1980]

running no firewalls, only the router.

[Wino]

Missed XP in your original post - Open Network in Control Panel and disable you NIC card - enable when you want to go back on line/network.

[jman1980]

when nic is disabled the "internet gateway" icon disappears, this takes maybe 10 seconds or so and that machine is indeed offline, when enabled, the gateway icon reappears, this again takes 10 to 15 seconds (i assume reesablishing the network) if i disable the "internet gateway" icon on any of the 3 machines, none of them can get online. it seems the configuration that i have running now is a delicate balance. it always seems that i get something up and running explain how to run it to my wife and kids, then, something doesnt work and i have to fix it. i just want a stable network from machine to machine and machines to the internet, without the machine(s) having to be turned off to work offline. like at this moment, my wife is working on my business quickbooks, but her comp is sucking up my bandwidth.

[Wino]

Shot in the dark

Is your network/internet setup to connect thru one machine or is each machine setup to connect directly to the internet on its own regardless of whether the other machines are on or not?

Reason I ask, mine is set up with each (5 total) to connect directly to internet through the router - if I have three machines on, I can disable the NIC on any two and still connect with the 3rd. Also, I do not have the Gateway icon of which you speak, so I suspect you chose the setup in Wizard that requires the other machine(s) to be on.

When using the Wizard, when it gives options on type of connection, select 'other' - this will open a window that allows setting up each machine to connect on its own.

Just a thought - but might check into this to see if this will resolve your problem.

[jman1980]

i just tried that on my machine, it wont let me delete the internet gateway icon, i disabled it, ran the wizard again choosing other, it didnt give me any new icons, but i couldnt connect either. i guess im stuck with this config., oh well, it works, just not like i want it to. such is life. thanks, wino

[DVOM]

I'll agree that there's something wrong with your setup but how does another machine that's online but not using the internet use any noticible bandwidth? If those machines are using bandwidth, you've got other issues to deal with.
I'd look for whatever process/service/program is automatically accessing the internet from those machines and shut it off.

[jman1980]

i dont think that they are necessarily using much if any, its just i dont want a machine that does not need to be online, online. autoupdates from msn and or antivirus. just stuff like that when im playing games i want ALL the up and dn. i can get call me greedy