Home connectivity advice
I have a Motorola Surfboard cable modem (sb4100) U.K. spec and a Cisco 2501 router running 11.2 IOS. How do I connect these together and then into my hub to get broadband to all my other machines in my home? I've only been allocated one IP address which ties to the MAC address of my NIC allowing me the use of only one machine at a time. The 2501 only has one attachment unit interface (AUI) for RJ45 connection and two serial connections. Is it possible to use the AUI for the hub and connect the serial O to the cable modem?
-- James Keen
In the versions of the 2501 router I have seen, the serial connections require connection to a DSU/CSU leased line modem. I checked Morotola's Web site about this model and you have two options - Ethernet or USB. If you can find another variation of the 250x router series from Cisco with two Ethernet ports, you can use the Cisco router to do what you need. Unfortunately, unless you can find a converter to go from the serial port on the Cisco to an Ethernet port (which is probably going to be more expensive than it is worth), you won't be able to use your current router.
If you can find a Cisco router with two Ethernet ports (i.e. two AUIs), you will need to implement network address translation. This will allow you to present the one interface to the ISP while maintaining multiple addresses on the private side of the router. I would also suggest that you purchase intrusion detection software such as Black Ice or personal firewall software from Symantec as an additional layer of protection. You may want to take advantage of the additional firewall functionality this will give you. If money is an issue, there are additional firewall devices such as the Linksys Broadband router available for less than $100. This has two Ethernet ports on it and will work for you as well. Dlink is another company that has a product called DI-704. This also provides a similar function for less than $100.
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