Scope


This tutorial will take you through the steps involved in setting up and sharing a broadband ADSL Internet connection - for both Windows 98 and Windows XP Home environments - covering each of the following:

  • fitting ADSL microfilters
  • connecting an ADSL modem/router
  • networking your PC
  • configuring the system to access the ADSL service
  • sharing your Internet connection across multiple PCs.

The procedure for connecting to either an ADSL-based or a cable-based broadband Internet service is very similar. Since the introduction of wires-only ADSL services (also referred to as "self-install") many modems with built-in routers - allowing connection of a number of PCs via Ethernet cables - have come to market. BT used a device which performed the same basic functions when ADSL was first introduced, in mid-2000. However, modern-day modem/routers are user-configurable and offer many additional features, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and firewall protection.

The principal difference between ADSL and cable is that with the latter, your modem is likely to be supplied by your ISP and will not be a combined modem/router device. In this case the modem will need to be connected to a separate router device which will act as the hub through which the Internet connection can be shared by other PCs.

This tutorial is written in the context of an ADSL Internet service and one that uses a combined ADSL modem/router to connect to the service.

Last Update: Sat Mar 1st 2003