I got my computer. Very happy with it.
- Dell OptiPlex GX280 Pentium 4 3.0 GHz Small Form Factor Desktop PC
- General Features:
- Small Form Factor
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional pre-installed w/CoA
- Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz processor
- 1 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB Speed, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
- Intel 915G Express chipset
- 1 GB DDR2 RAM (supports up to 4 GB)
- 80 GB SATA hard drive
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive
The State of my Router:
I have AT&T internet, this means that I have a combination modem router (gateway). It certainly will not run dd-wrt. I am researching ways to rectify this situation and here are my options. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
1) Try to configure my gateway to act as a "bridge" and add a router behind it. This is a fairly advanced, and far from fail-proof, operation. I am hesitant because I can not afford to leave my home without internet or cost myself a lot of money to fix it.
2) configure my gateway to "act" as only a modem and then add a router. This is a less advanced operation and supposedly easily reversible. The problem is that I have read this does not really make the gateway work as a modem, it only acts like one. There may be some things that this restricts.
3) Run with what I have and not use ddwrt. This may leave some features that I need for my server unattainable and I will miss out on a good learning opportunity with dd-wrt. (This is my least favorite solution but certainly the cheapest and safest)
4) Buy or find a modem and purchase a router, leaving my gateway unchanged in case of emergency. This is my preferred option for several reasons. *it offers the chance to learn valuable skills * It may turn out to be a significant upgrade for my home network *It is a chance to break away from my DSL oppressors
The problem is that it will be fairly expensive. If anyone has a Modem they would like to donate or trade something for, let me know.
In the meantime, here is a screenshot of my router homepage.
If you can configure your router to let you access stuff inside your network (e.g., your server) you can certainly get by. You'd probably learn some stuff if you go with #2 above, which seems like it'd be pretty easy to un-do if you don't like it. This sounds like the configuration that most people have, a cable modem that's plugged into their router. It can be handy to have a spare router around.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it will let me access stuff in my network. I can access my PC from my xbox :). Still, I am going to take this opportunity to try and break free of my at&t oppressors. I just Ordered a linsys wrt54gl Router! It should run dd-wrt w/no problem. I am going to try #2. Thanks for the encouragment.
ReplyDeleteGood choice on your server Jamie. Right now I'm just using an old desktop I have but I would love something small I could tuck away like that. If this class goes well I too am excited to have an upgrade to my home system and better access to my music from all computers:) I totally understand not knocking out your network in the process of learning all this...
ReplyDeleteYea Nikki. So far so good. I did manage to get ddwrt installed on my router tonight. Word of advise. Skip the linksys software and go straight to ddwrt. It is not too hard and I could probably come help you this weekend. Networking it is a different story but getting the software on it was not bad.
ReplyDelete