DSL question - sharing 1 IP vs. multiple IP's

[aznaphrodite]

I have a question about IP's on DSL. Currently, my apartment has four comptuers on DSL. Each computer has it's own IP and we use a hub to the DSL modem to the telephone outlet. A friend of mine just moved into an apartment and instead of getting multiple IP's per computer is planning to network their computers to share on IP and save the cost of getting multiple ones. Is there a difference? Will my friend's connection be slower? Are there any disadvantages to sharing one IP address? If not, then why would anyone get multiple IP's like my apartment is doing right now?

Thanks!
AznAphrodite

[Bandito]

I use a proxy software program called Netproxy which is free for 2 computers, but they charge for 3 or more. Anyhow it shares the connection, but if you are like me you don't notice it (broadband connection). BTW, both systems can surf at the same time. There is also a configurable firewall for the second system which just measn that you can tell it to ignore incoming or outgoing requests from all ip's except the main systems ip. really easy to set up

[Dionysus]

Perhaps if one does not have the technical know-how, or needs a dedicated IP address they would each take an individual IP address. To divide an IP address onto multiple computers means you have to make the one connected to the internet with the real IP a proxy server. The computer has to have two ethenet cards, one for the port wall, one for the local lan. I dont really feel like describing the whole process, but the basic drawbacks are:

1) yes your service will be slower because you have to travel through the proxy computer before you get out to the internet

2) some older games are not smart enough to work with proxy boxes and thus will not work over the internet (older games though, most new games and proxy programs are smarter)

There are other drawbacks also, but I have to go study. But it is free and I would never buy more than one IP address personally (unless I had to run more than one Naming server from my apartment-but thats a different story.) Hope that helped.

Dionysus

[Billy the Kid]

The obvious advantage of sharing an ip is cost. You will save a bundle. HOWEVER there are a few disadvantages.

1. If all of you are on the net at the same time, your connection will be slower.

2. You will have to pop for a router (I suggest the Linksys DSL router aprox $160 retail. But since you already have a hub, you can the the D-link router for like $99. Ask around this forum)

3. You might encounter problems with some multiplayer games and other online apps as the routers normally come with a built in firewall.

4. Things like internet telephony or other online apps that require your ip may not work (however with the Linksys router you can choose to expose one computer that is routed to the internet).

I use a router and am very happy with it. Then again, i only have 2 computers networked.

[mahalo]

I have 4 networked computers at my office(small office, I know).

Anyhows, we just use a netgear hub($40-50) and use the internet connection sharing functionality of Win 98 2nd edition and we are all hooked up to the internet. We may go a little slower, but nothing serious and we do save a lot on DSL charges. Really, the only time to see some sort of difference in speed is when like 2 people are downloading something at the same time, but mostly everything works great.

I set this up in about an hour(and I am basically a retard when it comes to things like this), and it is really easy to do.

Hope this helped a little.