On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 1:26 PM, Matthew Whiting <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Thanks for your suggestions... > > Apart from my machine, the laptops are only on for a few hours a day. I > wouldn't want to have another machine running all the time or have to switch > it on every time someone boots up. So, not really considering the option of > an extra machine with a firewall and switch..
You really should you know. Just have a look at the logs of somebody who has a firewall with intrusion attempt logging enabled, and for the good of your little community, please be prepared to change your mind. If however you want to continue along your present line of thought you can enable the NAT facilities in the CableModem by going to http://192.168.100.1 which is the IP number of the modem. Go to the menu on the LH side. Select Configuration and enable the DHCP server. Copying from said web page:- ---------- DHCP Server Enabled The SURFboard cable modem can be used as a gateway to the Internet by a maximum of 32 users on a Local Area Network (LAN). When the Cable Modem is disconnected from the Internet, users on the LAN can be dynamically assigned IP Addresses by the Cable Modem DHCP Server. These addresses are assigned from an address pool which begins with 192.168.100.11 and ends with 192.168.100.42. Statically assigned IP addresses for other devices on the LAN should be chosen from outside of this range. ---------- This will give you a moderate degree of protection, and allow all 4 of you to connect to the Internet simultaneously. You'll still need the Ethernet hub or switch, which you can get cheaply ( ~$25 ) from Molten Media, or The Computer Broker. OTOH a new one for not much more from DSE. At just on $70 the XH6322 would be suitable. You could also use a wireless access point instead. > I'm also not really into the wireless idea, more from a health point of view > than anything actually, relating to comments I've heard about the frequency > they transmit on - maybe not factual, but I'm wary anyway. I agree with that. I heard stories during the Cold War period about young fellows who worked in radar factories not being able to father sons. Whether or not this applies to the wireless in laptops is, without doubt, open to endless debate. -- Sincerely etc. Christopher Sawtell
