Summary

This chapter has examined connecting SOHO LANs to the Internet using high-speed links. These links for home-office LANs connect using cable modems, DSL modems, or ISDN, depending upon availability. Cable modems and DSL are very competitive, but DSL offers higher connection speeds (at appropriately but not excessively higher cost). ISDN is only used where no other high-speed service is available.

Small-office LAN connections could also employ Frame Relay connections or T-carrier connections depending upon the data load and voice networking requirements. These alternatives are considerably more expensive than cable modems and DSL.

Next the chapter explored sharing high-speed Internet connections. It first discussed Windows XP's Internet Connection Sharing software. Then firewalls and routers were covered.

The chapter concluded with the details of installing and configuring a router for high-speed Internet connection sharing. Router setup parameters for this specific router were examined and explained. Setup parameters for other routers are similar to the setup parameters for this router.