can anyone tell me the cheapest way to have two computers share a single internet cable connection

[jkellynewyork]

I have one computer with windows ME and one with windows 98. My brother always hogs cable and my mom wants me to hook up the other computer so someone else could use the internet at the same time. Should I get one of the network starter kits or is it cheaper to buy seperately. What brand and model would work with my operating systems. Please help thanks.

 

[Marqui]

<< I have one computer with windows ME and one with windows 98. My brother always hogs cable and my mom wants me to hook up the other computer so someone else could use the internet at the same time. Should I get one of the network starter kits or is it cheaper to buy seperately. What brand and model would work with my operating systems. Please help thanks. >>



The cheapest way would prolly be to pay me 5 bucks to beat up your brother. Other than that... spend 10 bucks on a hub and run ics on one of the systems...

 

[Pyxis]

Or instead of a hub you can get a router. This way the computer connected directly to the internet does not always have to be on.

 

[Eug]

Many of the modems support multiple IP address. So a hub can be used with those without ICS.

On the other hand a 4-port router costs $100.

 

[Hobbzilla]

I just got a 5 port hub from egay for $7. plugged the RJ-45 from cable modem OUT to port 5 (uplink port) of hub. Connected pc1 to port 1. Connected pc2 to port 2. Set both pc's for DHCP. Get two routable IP's with 1 cable modem (don't tell my service provider.. they might catch on).

**edit**
why is &quot;e/bay&quot; a illegal word?

 

[TimeThrash]

Apparently people at one time linked directly to their auctions here. Or maybe I'm wrong. A slight problem with easy workarounds. =)

 

[lilnnjaboy]

cheapest way is go buy yourself a crossover cable and a extra network card...set your computer up as a proxy...and you can use that crappy internet sharing software from ME or 98SE.

If you want to do it a good way, go get one of those Linksys DSL/Cable Routers and share yourself some internet.

 

[jkellynewyork]

Hi all , thanks for the response. Looks like I might go with the hub or that crossover cable thing, altough I have to look into what that is. Not having one computer on in the case with the router sounds great but a little too much money, sides the main computer is on most of the time anyway. Thanks again everyone.

PS - Marqui, I might take you up on the $5 beaten to my brother (That really made me laugh)

 

[Mday]

the cheapest way is to use ICS, and get 2 more NICs.

what type of cable modem do you have?

 

[Mday]

HEY, fellow brooklynite =D

coo!

where you located?

 

[blstriker]

Add another NIC into your bro's computer, get a NIC for your computer, and connect the two with a crossover cable. Run ICS on your bro's computer. Nice and easy.

 

[jkellynewyork]

Hello

Heh Mday
I am over in downtown brooklyn right next to the brooklyn bridge.
Cant answer what type of modem I have until I get home later.
Where part are you from?



Is the hub/router only good if you want to hook up more then two computers?
And a router is also good because you do not need to have one computer on in order to use the internet on the other.
Are these the only pros in my case?

 

[Quad]

yes, with the router you can have any computer acccess the net, and one computer doesn't have to be on for the other to access (like a proxy server). but routers are expensive. so if u have the money (and are willing to spend it) then go buy a router. otherwise, buy a hub and use a proxy. or, if u want any computer to use the net without another being on, pay your cable company the extra $10 per month to lease another ip adress. that way 2 comps can be on the at the same time and you don't need a proxy.

if u go the proxy route then here are some good ones:
analogx (freeware, good for basic browsing, email. not good for games)
spoonproxy (same as above)
winroute (excellent for gaming/browsing/mail)
winproxy (best in everything in my opinion)

good luck

 

[Hobbzilla]

I just wanted to point out.. that not all cable ISP's have the feature of getting more than you are paying for - multiple IP's per cable modem without paying the extra $5-10+ for an extra IP. Mine DOES and have hooked up 3 computers (3 IP's from 1 cable modem) and it works fine. It would be worthwhile for you to look into that possibilty.. borrow a hub or buy one local (in case you need to take it back). Also, I don't think it has been simply pointed out that a router &amp; hub BOTH provide the ability to have connection without it being dependant on anything else but your cable modem being on and functioning. With ICS or a proxy solution, that proxy server must be on if you want to use the internet on the other machines. I was getting ready to get the linksys router with a 4 port 10/100 switch built in.. pretty good for ~ $100. I instead jumped on the opertunity to get a 10Mbps home LAN at $7 (I have plenty of nic's just laying around so no cost there..)

I don't know what could possibly be more easier than plugging in 3 patch cables into a hub. There isn't any software/hardware configuration etc. (beyond the setting up of the nic). Yes setting up ICS with 98se/ME is pretty doggone easy. However, I haven't heard the greatest things when it came time to use the proxy'd pc for games/webcams/streaming audio&amp;video.. so take it with a grain of salt. A router would provide you the same basic functionality as ICS only all pc's behind it would get a local IP (not directly connected to the internet) and sometimes that can be a bad thing! I play tons of games online.. it is pretty hard sometimes to get everything working. There is NOTHING more simple to configure (games/software/etc.) when you have a routable IP, which is what getting multiple IP's from your cable modem gets you. Trust me.. plus you have room to grow. If somebody every comes over with a laptop.. they're screwed out of the internet connection with the crossover cable (unless you disconnect the other pc). That's all! Good luck in whatever you do! Dslreports has a great how-to for begineers started here.