Microsoft Vista Home Networking Setup and Options
The most daunting part of upgrading to Windows Vista may be trying to figure out where in the layers of menus the networking and file-sharing options are hidden.
Tips for Securing Your Home Router
Seemingly minor and easily overlooked settings can still have profound security implications. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your wired or wireless home router — and by extension, your network — is as secure as possible.
Most Popular Reviews
Microsoft Windows Home Server
If you have a home network, you'll welcome the easy file sharing, remote access and the image-based backup features of Windows Home Server.
Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drive
Iomega's fourth generation StorCenter Network Hard Drive brings many of the features found in higher-end storage devices down to an attractive price.
MikroTik's The Dude
This free tool delivers many of the same capabilities that you'd find in pricey network monitoring tools. As long as you don't mind tinkering, The Dude is a decent network utility that should be worth the download.
I'm having trouble connecting to my ISP that is using
PPPoE
(This is a common problem with Sympatico customers
and DSL bPPPoE* is a new standard for authentication and control
of the connection from the ISP and it can cause problems with both hardware
and software routers. Manufacturers of these products are updating them
to try to work with this new protocol, but in the meantime, try the information
below.
How do I know if I'm using PPPoE? Here are a few things you can check:
You are a customer of the following DSL ISPs:
Sympatico
Bell Canada
Bell Atlantic Infospeed DSL
SNET
SBC
PacBell DSL
You have a cable modem, but your ISP
has told you to use Dial-up networking to connect.
You are using a program one of the
following programs:
WinPOET
Access Manager
EnterNet (by Network Telesystems [NTS])
PPPoE Help
If you're using a hardware router, you'll have to check
your router specs to see it supports PPPoE operation.
If the router does support PPPoE, you must uninstall any
PPPoE client software from your computers and configure
the router with your PPPoE logon information. The router
must handle all PPPoE session management.
If you've been tearing your hair out trying to get PPPoE based
connection to work with a dynamically assigned IP address, see
if you can get a static IP address. It might cost
you more, but it also might be worth it!
5/29/00
Another "it's not working with ICS
and Enternet hint (Thanks to "Duck" Moore) - Symptom: EnterNet performs logon, authentication,
and
connection ok, but it does not communicate or transfer data. - Solution: Go to the Enternet System Information
program (under Accessories) and access the "Automatic skip
driver agent" under the "Tools" menu.
If there are any files listed and not checked, just check
them. Let the computer restart and you should
be up and running.
If you have PacBell DSL service, are
using ICS, and can't connect you may have the Enternet PPPoE program set incorrectly.
- First, make sure you
have Enternet 1.3
- Under Connections ->Settings,
click the Advanced button.
- Under IP configuration, change
from default "Private API" to "Use
DHCP".
[Thanks to Mike Berrow for this tip!]
Sympatico users with PPPoe problems may
find help here,
since the SympaticoUsers.org site has been shut down.
To get Sygate working to share an internet connection with Sympatico HSE, you must follow the following step by step instructions. Please note that you should uninstall Access Manager before
installing WinPoET, as some people have reported conflicts when both are installed on the same
system.
1. Install WinPoet and reboot.
2. Connect to the net with WinPoet and stay connected.
3. Install Sygate 3.1 (build 5.38). There is a 30 day trial download at
http://www.sygate.com
4. After installing Sygate, with WinPoet still connected, run the Sygate
diagnostic, it will detect the WinPoet Dial up connection.
5. Configure Sygate to Start as a service on startup and enable the DHCP
server.
6. Do not enable the Enhanced Security on Sygate
7. Reboot the gateway computer
8. Connect via WinPoet on the gateway to make sure your connection is
working well.
If you're not using Sygate, but are using some other sort of sharing
software, try connecting to your ISP first (including logging in if
that's required by your ISP), then installing the software while you
are logged in.
A user with an internal DSL adapter fixed their PPPoE problems with
ICS by specifying the Dial-up Adapter instead of the DSL card as
their Network adapter.
If you're interested in learning more about PPPoE, check these pages:
4/244/00
If you're having problems with NTS' Enternet,
you can check their Windows
FAQ page.