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A typical wireless routerIn most cases, a router is all that is needed to allow multiple computers share a single Internet connection. Home and SOHO routers are extremely inexpensive, well under $100, even for wireless versions. These are easily configurable with standard Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari), are platform independent (Windows, LINUX and Macintosh computers can all be connected with the same router), and also can be configured to provide wireless security. -
Exactly how many users do we have sharing this?The number of users and the type of work these users are performing online is a good way to plan on how to spend on Internet access. If a large part of the daily workload involves certain users to access large files from offsite, or deliver these files offsite, then perhaps these workstations could access a second Internet connection, which would be dedicated for this file transfer. -
Don't burn through your cash with multiple Internet connectionsThe two benefits of allowing multiple users to share an Internet connection are convenience as well as financial. Rather than each user accessing the web on his/her own dedicated connection, sharing one Internet service saves in both administrative time and money spent monthly for online access. -
OK, who's downloading the entire James Bond series?Too many users sharing a single Internet connection can bog down the network, particularly if some are downloading or uploading large files. Cable Internet service has been criticized for this, but DSL, by the nature of its technology, are able to avoid this. However, in most cases, cable Internet access is faster than DSL Internet access. -
Passwords discourage outside hackersMany DSL ISPs supply users with a router to allow sharing. Sometimes this is a wireless router, and the DSL service will support it. However some DSL ISPs and most cable providers, while not outright outlawing routers on their services, won't help with technical support when a router is involved.
