Network help

GingerNinja1989 · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:20

Hi, just sorted out a student house for next year (wooo!) and need to share an internet connection in this house between 7 people (1 downstairs, 4 on the middle floor and 2 upstairs). Hasn't got to be done for a while yet, but I wanted to get ahead of the game. Anyone got any suggestions for what kit/ISP to go with?

Daegan · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:24

Posting details about your exchange and approximate distance from it would help.

http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/adslchecker.php is a good place to start.

GingerNinja1989 · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:25

Bit difficult at the moment - haven't got a phone number for the house. I'm not after specifics, just an idea of what's good

GingerNinja1989 · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:29

This is done using the closest info I could get, so should be fairly accurate:

BT Exchange Information
Exchange: Pontypridd. BT Code: SWPN
Location: Kirkhouse Street, CF37 1LF.
ADSL enabled : May 30, 2002
dsl Max enabled: March 30, 2006
SDSL enabled : Enabled
21CN due : Phone No Required
Distance:- Direct: 1.71 km
(appx)* By Road: 2.57 km
BT Line Speed Estimation Other Broadband Technology & LLU Providers

adsl button Fixed ADSL: 1024 kbps (1 Mb)
adsl button DSL Max : 3500 kbps (3.5 Mb)

GingerNinja1989 · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:30

Only 1Mbps? Surely that can't be accurate?

Daegan · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:36

First bit to look at is the Other Broadband Technology & LLU Providers section.

GingerNinja1989 · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:39

Coolio. Will do

GingerNinja1989 · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:40

Apparently I can only get AOL, Sky and TalkTalk. Are you sure this is right? And any idea on what hardware I could use to connect the PCs up?

Daegan · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:06

Not much to choose from then, unless you're going to have Sky TV, in which case you might get half-decent service with their £10pm broadband.

From looking up the exchange it says Virgin cable might be available depending on where you are. If the area isn't oversubscribed (no easy way to find this out) that would offer the best speeds.

Otherwise you're limited to standard ADSL Max products, around 3.5Mb according to the estimate on that site. Entanet resellers like ADSL24, TitanADSL and UKFSN are the most frequently recommended here.

No point suggesting any kit without knowing what type of service you're going for and what kit your provider will supply free.

GingerNinja1989 · 26 Feb 2008 at 23:25

Oh great, between 7 people? lol. Sounds worse than the new we get in Halls (3Kbps, yes you read that correctly: 3Kbps!)