D-Links And Fast Ethernet ~ Words That Are No Longer Greek To Me!
Written: Mar 23 '01
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Pros: Sends data at 100 bits per second (i.e., music & video), Plug & Play install
Cons: Didn't know what it was before I needed one
The Bottom Line: Installation is plug & play letting you upgrade to the "fast" technology in network dialups.
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| JDinPA's Full Review: D-link DFE 905 4-Port Ethernet Hub |
When I changed the way I connected to the internet, from a LAN dial-up to a DSL connection, I got to learn a few new words that I had never heard before. I became familiar with D-Link ~ in fact very familiar since I had to take the cover off my computer and install it myself! Some other new words were Ethernet and Fast Ethernet, PCI, Hub, and numerous kinds of adapters. Upgrading the speed with which I could connect and surf the web came with learning about some new and evolving technology out there.
I will really try to keep this in regular language for the general reader will little technical knowledge, like me :o)
The technician had come out to my house to install my DSL connection. I was not home at the time, so my mother let them in for me. I came home to find a new jack and a box. I got to do the actual installation I guess, because the technician sure didn't do it!!! I had the choice of sitting there without a connected computer, or reading the instructions and setting up the ethernet connection myself. Needless to say, I figured it out!
Just what is all this D-Link and Ethernet stuff?? Well, in everyday language changing from a regular dial-up to an ethernet connection upgrades the speed and smoothness of transition. If you have a dial-up connection, you hear a bunch of gravelly sounding exchanges between your modem and the modem at the other end of the line (your internet server) while the connection is being made. Hearing those noises lets you know that connection is taking place and that soon you will be able to be on-line.
When you connect via Ethernet, the dial-up/connection time is very brief, and you do not hear any noises at all -- you just become connected! If you have your computer set to automatically connect then the actual time for a good connection to go through may be only a few milliseconds, effectively getting you on-line and where you want to go immediately. When I changed from a regular dial-up account to a DSL account, I had to change the way I connected in order to take advantage of the DSL and make it work properly.
In order to install the D-Link, or Ethernet Hub, into your computer, you need to remove the cover on your computer. Do get out your computer instruction book so that you will know just how to remove the cover safely and properly -- each brand will have a different set of directions concerning this. You know the regular line phone plug that you used to have plugged in on the back of your computer??? Well you are in effect doing, is installing another phone plug for the new DSL cable. The DSL cable is flatter and wider than a regular phone plug in, and will not fit into the old phone line plug; likewise the old phone line plug will not fit into the D-Link/Ethernet Hub plug either. I know this sounds confusing, especially if you have never had to deal with this --- I sure had no clue when I had ordered the DSL to be installed, and no one sure told me about it either!!! The new "faster" cable needs a specific type of link/hub to be plugged in to in order to work and get you connected and on-line.
The directions are very easy to follow and once I had the cover off I easily found the slot to plug the D-link/Ethernet Hub in to. I was really amazed at all the empty space inside the computer -- I thought it would be crammed full of all sorts of wire and technical doo-hickeys, but no, just lots and lots of space! Once I had the Hub in place, (you will be removed a small gray panel on the back of the computer to make room for the Hub) I created a new plug in for the DSL. The cover went back on, the plug went in, I did a plug & play installation and I was on-line!!! Yippie!!!
What you get with the D-Link Network in a Box are:
2 DFE-530TX dual speed adapters ~ these adapters are what go in to your computer, and what the new faster connection line plugs in to ~ these adapters run at 10/100MB, which means it can send data at 100 bits per second (which is fast!). These adapters kind of remind you a small metal card filled with circuitry and microchips, with a phone line plug on on end.
1 power adapter which has LED indicator lights to show you that the unit is on and working, that there is a good connection going on, that it is sending or receiving. If you do have trouble with this whole set up working, a technician will be able to help you right away by asking you if all the lights are on and green, if one or two are blinking or flashing. Always check these indicator lights first if you have any problem connecting -- if any are not lit up you can check that all cables are in tightly, that the power line is plugged in and turned on, etc. Try to turn the power off on both the computer and the power adapter and rebooting to see if that will solve the problem getting connected.
You get special cable to use for this system. You have to have the cable that can properly handle the fast connections, and you need to run them straight without any crossover for a proper installation.
Driver Software and adapter cards, as well as a CD-ROM Instruction Manual is included.
This unit is Plug & Play installation on Windows 95 and 98. It is also compatible with all similar standard network equipment.
The Software Drivers you have to choose from are for Microsoft Windows 95/98, NT3.51 & NT4.0, MS LAN server and MS workgroups 3.11, IBM LAN, IBM LAN v1.3x, and IBM Communication Manager, WIN/TCP PathWay Access for DOS v1.1, DECnet PathWorks v4.0, Banyan VINES v4.00, Novell Netware 3.x, 4.xODI driver, SUN PC-NFS, SCO UNIX, and a few others -- getting a bit technical here!! lol ~ if you want more information you can go to http://www.dlink.com for the newest release of drivers.
If you are looking into increasing your computer's connection speed via a DSL or other networking connection, ask what you will have to do, what you may have to install, if all the equipment is included in the cost of the installation, or if a free install, will you need to pay for any of this equipment. I was able to figure it out without any prior knowledge, so don't let fear get into your way -- if you want to connect without waiting, you go for it!!~ Good luck!~
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 0.00
Driver Availability: Other
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