Getting Internet to 2 PCs

Andrew1990

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Mar 8, 2008
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Well I need to accomplish this without using a router as I am a cheap skate. Here is the basic concept I drew out

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/4663/comcastnj1.jpg

What I was thinking was to connect the main comcast internet cable coming from the modem to the secondary computer and then bridging the connection using a seperate NIC card to my main Gaming PC in my sig. Would this be possible or can I use some sort of software to accomplish this?
 

mxnerd

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Jul 6, 2007
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Because the number of Windows XP security holes looks very like Swiss cheese.

Even a cheap $20 router is way better.
 

Andrew1990

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Mar 8, 2008
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Well this is temporary for maybe a week at most until I get paid enough to get a nice wireless router. I dont really have much data on either computer and both will be formatted within the next week or two.

Well thanks for all your assistance. Now I am off to set this baby up.
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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I have had a nice 2 two computer ICS setup for many years now, net network investment, $18.00 for a 55 foot cross over cable. No router needed. And with something like the comodo 3 firewall, its all the basic firewall you need to protect windows. Add in a good multilayered security system and I have not had anything more serious than a tracking cookie get by for many years.

For a two computer set up, windows ICS is a very good and cheap option, and in MHO, this forum is far too router biased. Somewhat natural because many of the experts came from corporate network backgrounds where routers are needed in the many PC situation and ICS is beneath their experience.

In your situation, a wireless router may be another good option that could save buying a second NIC, but then you will need some sort of a wireless receiver on the other PC and you will have to learn about setting up wireless security.

And I should also ask the OP a few questions. (1) Do you understand the difference between a cross over cable and a patch cable? Do you understand that you can't use the same cable with a router and ICS?
(2) And while short cables are cheap either way, stringing long cables is a problem as the cost increases per foot and some routing under floor may be needed to go room to room.
 

kevnich2

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Apr 10, 2004
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This isn't just an opinion but a fact, a router may not be the cheapest option but it is the best and easiest. Easiest to hook up and from a security perspective, the best way to do it. Sorry but with routers being as cheap at $5 (may not be a good one but it does get the job done) in some instances depending on rebates and instant savings, I call you a fool for not doing that. But that last part is my opinion. As far this forum being too router based, it's because most of us know what works and what doesn't.
 

mxnerd

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For a two computer set up, windows ICS is a very good and cheap option, and in MHO, this forum is far too router biased.

Router is way better secure and you don't have to turn on another computer when you need only one.
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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Originally posted by: mxnerd
For a two computer set up, windows ICS is a very good and cheap option, and in MHO, this forum is far too router biased.

Router is way better secure and you don't have to turn on another computer when you need only one.
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Wrong again mxnerd, with my ICS set up, I can independently access the internet from either computer without the other being on, but I can only network from the host.

And I have heard the a router is way more secure argument for years, but you could have fooled me because I have had no security problems without a router. None, nada, zippo zip for five years running. Just more anti ICS fud from this forum, old wives tales endlessly repeated, until like any great lie, too many people assume it true without any empirical evidence.

As for the kevnich2 point of, "As far this forum being too router based, it's because most of us know what works and what doesn't.", I think I too can say, after five years, that I know ICS works, and works very well.

Granted ICS works basically only in the two computer situation, try to network more and you will need a router, lots of good things to say about a router, but either way, there is a learning curve associated. When and if my needs change, I am open to trying a router, but while ICS meets my needs, why should I change?
 

JackMDS

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Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: Lemon law

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Wrong again mxnerd, with my ICS set up, I can independently access the internet from either computer without the other being on, but I can only network from the host.

Care to clarify this statment? :shocked:

 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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JackMDS asks, care to clarify the statement.

Its just a matter of having two modems in place, both connected to a phone line, and then using static network addressing. In my case, I am the client computer, my network address in the event the host computer is connect to the internet is 192.168.0.234 and the host computer's is 192.168.0.1. In the event my computer is on and connected to the internet and her host computer is off or not connected, my client address becomes 192.168.0.1 for non network purposes, and because the single phone line is shared, only one computer at a time can connect to the internet.

Just do not try it with dynamic addressing as I learned the hard way.
 

Andrew1990

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Mar 8, 2008
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Originally posted by: Lemon law

And I should also ask the OP a few questions. (1) Do you understand the difference between a cross over cable and a patch cable? Do you understand that you can't use the same cable with a router and ICS?
(2) And while short cables are cheap either way, stringing long cables is a problem as the cost increases per foot and some routing under floor may be needed to go room to room.

Well

1) I understand there are 2 types. I believe the patch is for a PC to PC connection while the crossover is used if using a router or switch. I am not positive though.

2) I work at a cabling place so I can get a large discount on cat5e and cat6. I know how to make both crossover and patch cables. Also the computers are about 20 feet apart in the same room so going room to room isnt a big deal.

Also both computers are run 24/7 as I use my gaming PC for folding and the secondary PC is just always on.

 

JackMDS

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Oct 25, 1999
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Lemon law when a computer has its own modem and the other computer is Off, ICS is Not used at all and thus your example is not really relevant to this thread.
 

kevnich2

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Apr 10, 2004
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I'm clarifying my statement, it wasn't the OP that didn't care to listen to us, it was LemonLaw which from my experience, he always tends to put his own opinion in a lot of threads around here which have no factual basis whatsoever. My apologies to the OP.
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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Originally posted by: JackMDS
Lemon law when a computer has its own modem and the other computer is Off, ICS is Not used at all and thus your example is not really relevant to this thread.
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I beg to differ, when I am networked, it is through an ICS connection despite all the denial on this forum. The fact I can also achieve non networked states easily only debunks the myth that both computers must be on to get internet access for the client computer.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
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Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: Lemon law
I beg to differ, when I am networked, it is through an ICS connection despite all the denial on this forum. The fact I can also achieve non networked states easily only debunks the myth that both computers must be on to get internet access for the client computer.

I am not sure that I understand what you are talking about.

ICS is a Software Network Router, if only one computer is On there is Network no need for Routing No ICS.

But hey, may be an Engineering degree, a Doctorate, an IQ above 140, and being a Microsoft MVP is Not good enough to understand the way ICS works.
 

kevnich2

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Apr 10, 2004
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Originally posted by: JackMDS
Originally posted by: Lemon law
I beg to differ, when I am networked, it is through an ICS connection despite all the denial on this forum. The fact I can also achieve non networked states easily only debunks the myth that both computers must be on to get internet access for the client computer.

I am not sure that I understand what you are talking about.

ICS is a Software Network Router, if only one computer is On there is Network no need for Routing No ICS.

But hey, may be an Engineering degree, a Doctorate, an IQ above 140, and being a Microsoft MVP is Not good enough to understand the way ICS works.

Jack, you don't have to defend yourself, we know who's right here and who doesn't have a clue what he's talking about and honestly doesn't have a clue about even networking 101.
 

kevnich2

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Apr 10, 2004
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And yes, when it comes to ICS, you MUST have the server computer who's doing the internet routing turned ON and accessible. Having that computer off leaves no other options for the client computers to get internet unless they have another alternate way of internet access. Please LemonLaw, do not tell anyone else in this forum something different because it is simply not fact and I'm frankly getting a bit tired of hearing your so called facts when they have 0 factual basis.
 

mxnerd

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Jul 6, 2007
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Found 99% of Lemon law's posts are in Politics News, you will know why.

No futher discussion is needed here, I suppose. :)
 

Andrew1990

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Mar 8, 2008
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So to use my one PC as a router, will I need to use a Patch cable or crossover when connecting the two PCs?