Cable sharing with router?

[Arbitrader]

I want to share my internet service between two computers in the same room. I have done some research at Practically Networked but still have some questions:

1. Is a router required to prevent the ISP knowing that I am connected to multiple PC's (since they charge per IP) or would 2 NIC's in first PC and 1 NIC in second (and no router) serve the same purpose?

2. I understand router provides firewall, does this mean that I don't need to use security software such as zone alarm?

3. Does router allow faster throughput than PC to PC only with NIC's?

 

[Quickfingerz]

2 NIC's in one computer serves the same purpose. That is the situation I'd reccomend. You're really wasting money if you get a router for only two computers.

router does provide firewall but it's a different type of firewall. a router/gateway can filter your requests for you. You can have all requests go to your computer then have a firewall. Personally, I don't use a firewall because I'm behind a router.

the difference between NIC to NIC vs NIC-hub-NIC is negligible, so thoroughput should be the same.

 

[Arbitrader]

QuickFingerz, thanks for the info.


Have you heard of any problems using a cheapo Asound NIC ($6 card)?

I have also heard that its easier to configure the network if you use different manufacturer NICs. Is this true?

 

[shawnat]

I have a cable modem to a Linksys 4 port switch router. This much more versatile than having 2 NICs in a proxy server that has to monitor the other connections. See below:
Router solution ($80-$130):
1. Serves as DCHP server and easy to configure ports, etc...
2. Super easy to set up (proven to work)
3. Firewall (but not the greatest)
4. Doesn't need a "proxy" server to be "on" 24/7
5. Can expand with additional switches (recommended for 100 Mbps full duplex)
6. Friends can join the network anytime and log online for gaming(charge a few $'s!

2 NIC Proxy server:
1. Cheaper (but more work)
2. Proxy software can be free, but no support
3. Have to leave Proxy server on to use other computer
4. Difficult to expand to more computers with CAT5/NIC setup.

 

[MrPALCO]

Yep, I have the Linksys BEFSR41 4 port set up with Road Runner, at home.
It is a breeze to set up and the support site is excellent.

At around 100 bucks, you can't go wrong!

 

[spidey07]

I still don't see why anyone would use the dual NIC setup when you can get a cheap router with a switch and have so many features that are so easy to use.

Kind of takes the guess work out of it, especially if you're new to this stuff.

 

[Dee67]

<< At around 100 bucks, you can't go wrong! >>



hehehe.. unless you buy it at a CompUSA in New England.. then it's 179 bux

 

[Hulk]

Bump for an interesting topic.

 

[blstriker]

1. With either setup, the ISP can't tell how many computers you have connected.
2. NAT programs provide some sort of protection, but it's still a good idea to use a software firewall.
3. The speed of a high speed cablemodem is relatively slow compared to a regular 10baseT network so there should be no difference between the two.

I'm actually using both setups and they both work great for me. A hardware router is more convienent since with a software NAT, the host computer with 2 NIC's must be on all the time.

 

[Wik]

In some areas ICS performs better then the a gateway/router. Take Gamespy for instance. Updating gamespy from a machine on a NetgearRT311 takes about twice as long to refresh as it does using ICS. The method I choose to use is an old computer running Freesco from a floppy drive.