Connecting to the Internet - The NAT Router

Why do most people chose to build a wirelessWindows 98 (or later versions), or MAC OS X, you
network in their home? For sharing Internetcan enable the sharing Internet connection. Each
connection with multiple computers of devices fromcomputer in the network must be set up to connect
its vicinity. Nowadays, a computer without internet isto the Internet through the computer that's
like an empty box.connected to the broadband modem. The
The thing that provides Internet access to multipledisadvantage of this setup is that you can't turn off
devices over a single Internet connection coming intothe main computer (the one which is connected to
the home is called a NAT router. The "Networkthe modem). It must be always on so that the other
Address Translation" (NAT) performed by the routernetworked computers access the Internet through it.
allows multiple computers (machines) connected to- Cable/DSL router. In the previous case, for many
the LAN behind the router to communicate with thenetworked computers to have access to the
external Internet.Internet, they should do it through a main one. But
Most people access the Internet from a homethere is another option that eliminates that main
computer in these ways:computer. The Internet connection is possible by
- Dialup telephone connectionconnecting a cable/DSL router between the
- Digital subscriber line (DSL)broadband modem and your home network.
- Cable InternetThe price of a router is about $100.We think that
- Satellite broadbandyou should go for it instead of using a
The term for DSL, cable and satellite is broadbandsoftware-based Internet connection sharing setup.
Internet service and it's a term that is used byIndeed, it is cheaper than a router and this is an
almost everyone in the industry.There are two waysadvantage. But it's overweight by the disadvantages
to share a connection over a home network:(requiring the PC to always be on, lower reliability and
- Software-based Internet connection sharing. Usinglower performance).