Network Question ..

[TeeCee]

Long story short, can a 200MMX with 80 Meg EDO RAM handle serving as the router for three other machines to a broadband connection.

Right now I have,
PII 350 – With the two networks cards.
Celeron 900 – Daughter’s ICQ machine http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif
PIII 650 Laptop

The above all runs through the hub with the PII 350 going to the modem.

I also have the 200MMX machine for the younger children not connected to the hub.


I plan to build a 1.4 or higher machine for myself and hand down the PII 350 to the kids. I don’t like the idea of my new machine being on all the time to serve as the connection to the modem. Keep in mind I am an on-line gamer and plan to play a lot of multi player games with the kids and their machine.

Can the 200MMX handle this load ??


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Thanks,
TeeCee

[TeeCee]

I forgot to also ask what OS would work best on the 200MMX

XP - I figure is out of the question.
WinME - Doesn't seem to run as well as WinSE

I do have access to Win NT .. ??

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Thanks,
TeeCee

[mjc]

It probably could but depending on the OS it could be slow...as to which OS to use, I would say Linux...

Why, you ask...

Well it can be much more resource friendly than Windows (it can be run with out a GUI-graphical user interface), it is more likely to run on that system (unlike XP and maybe 2k), it is very network capable (unlike the 9x series...they aren't really networking OSes) and it can be legally acquried very cheaply (like for free....). Configuring might be a little harder but in the long run I think it would be worth it (btw-many networks are runnig some variant of Unix which is what Linux is...).

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[bassman]

Say TeeCee,
Does that MoBo have Dimm slots? If so, pull the EDO and put in Dimms. That way you get faster RAM and can easily and cheaply get much more RAM. It should work just fine if all it has to do is act as a server. Along with MJC's suggestion of Linux, I would say, "Do not put anything on this machine that is not absolutely necessary to act as the server."

Another thought, If you are using a broadband modem that plugs into a NIC, you should just put it to your hub. No real need for a dedicated machine to host the modem.

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Quotes from "Lifes Little Instruction Book" by H.Jackson Brown: 65) Let people pull in front of you when you're stopped in traffic. Frank's Place (http://www.members.aol.com/frankscompsrvice)

[TeeCee]

Linux ... sounds fun. I know nothing about it. Might be fun to learn http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif
I know what you mean when you say 9X is not network friendly, I could never get a stable network with WinME. It has worked flawless with XP so far.

The MoBo on the old machine does not have other mem slots. It's an old 1996 Gateway P75 with the Intel 200MMX over drive chip.

As for the Hub .. I thought if I pluged the modem into the hub then I would need IP's asigned to each machine and that means more $$. Maybe I just don't understand how that works. I'll have to do some home work on that.

Bottom line ... Linux on the 200MMX should fly ? I run NASCAR4 in racing leagues and a good stable connection is a must!

Thanks for the speedy replies guys .....


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Thanks,
TeeCee

[This message has been edited by TeeCee (edited 01-05-2002).]

[This message has been edited by TeeCee (edited 01-05-2002).]

[iisbob]

If you're just setting up a basic workgroup, then i would suggest NT, if you can get it; however be aware that if you get more than 10 users you'll have problems also use the NetBEUI protocol, if you're planning on internet access then make sure to install the TCP/IP protocol instead.

If you're just networking without internet access then you can use one system as a dedicated server, and just plug all the others into the hub, server also of course, if you wish to network and share PC's, then you'll need 98/ME/ or W2k to install internet connection sharing, which will also require a second NIC card on your " server ". One nic will connect your server to the hub & network, the other will connect your server to the internet-it will then act as a DHCP { dynamic hosting configuration protocol } server, assigning ip's to the other nodes in the network auotmatically as they are recognized on the network.

The only drawback is that your server must be on at all times for one of the clients to access the net, or see the other clients in your LAN.

Go here, World of Windows Networking (http://www.wown.com) here you can get details for networking all of the windows products and an excellant layman's guide to networking. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif



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iisbob

Life of a tech-support specialist-
"..Tech Support: "Use the right button to click on the shortcut--"
Customer: "I don't have a right button."
Tech Support: "You should have a right button."
Customer: "I'm sure. I have 'ctrl', 'alt', 'backspace'..."

[DDNC]

Bottom Line;
Yes you can run the 200MMX,has a server for your network.Gameing,on the same computer,will be slow.Why,don't you get a dsl/cable router?Been There done that with the kids http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gifReasons,,,1.It free's up a computer,2.Another firewall,between your network and the web.Don't know for sure but it seems faster that way,on my DSL.But,if you realy want to do a home network the hard way,go for NT4.00,or Win2000 server.

Luck;
DDNC

[TeeCee]

The 200MMX will do nothing but run as the server ... most times the monitor won't even be on. I’ll look into the router hook up. I already know I have out grown the 4 socket hub I have and will need to be able to hook up 5 computers at times.

Thanks for the input guys you gave me a different approach to consider. Just the thing I was hoping for by asking the question here.


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Thanks,
TeeCee