How do I connect my Cable Modem to my three computers

[jaytone]

Hi
I currently have my computer that has an external US Robotics Cable modem (supplied by the cable company) connected to my NIC card. I would like to connect it to my other two computers. I NEED THE EASIEST way to do this since I know nothing about networking. I built all three computers and two have Windows ME and one has Windows 98SE. Questions

1. If I install a NIC card in the other two, can I use just a Cable router ?

2. How would I set it all up.

3. I checked Buy.com and they have a Linksys ETHERFAST CABLE/DSL ROUTER WITH 4 10/100 SWITCHED PORTS. Is this what I need and how do I connect the three computers to it.

4. What has to be installed in the Networking configuration, right now on mine I have Client for Microsoft Networks, 3Com ethernet card, TCp/IP for 3Com ethernet card.

5. Do I need any special software ?

6. What would be the maximum distance I can run the cabling from the Router to the other two computers. The distance of the other two computers is about 55 feet away from mine.

Please remember that I don't want anything that may require networking knowledge, thats why I am hoping that just connecting the cable modem to the router and then to all three is all I have to do.
Many thanks

 

[jinsonxu]

A hub (or router), NICs in all the other computers and ICS.

Max distance for each CAT5 UTP cable is 325 feet.]


That's about the easiest config. Plug your hub into the local NIC. Your cable modem to the other NIC in your computer, then all the NICs in the other computers to the hub.

 

[jinsonxu]

That's assuming you're using Win98 SE and above on those computers.

 

[eyor]

You need a router(such as the SMC Barricade from buy.com), a couple of network cards, and some cat 5 cable. The SMC Barricade actually comes with the cables you need, unless the comps are far apart, then you need it to be longer. The entire thing should run you ~$100.

 

[jaytone]

Jinsonxu, what is meant by a ICS ?

Are you saying that if I install a NIC card in the other two computers, that all I have to do is plug the cable modem into the Router and the the three computers from the router to the NIC card in each ? Do I need two NIC cards in mine if I use a Router ?
Thanks all

 

[Howard]

ICS = Internet Connection Sharing, I believe.

You don't need it if you have a hub/router. I had my cable modem connected to a hub, and then the hub to two different computers' NICs, and they shared the cable. I had to get an extra IP address ($10 month more in Toronto). I don't know if you need to get an extra IP address if you have a router instead of a hub, though.

 

[chuckieland]

all you need is
4NIC card
some rj 45 cable
cheap 5 port hub
and wingate software
networing is up and running in 5 minute
then install zone alarm
it is way cheaper then going to roulter

 

[eyor]

I'd prefer just using a router, chuckie. much easier.

Check the hot deals forum for a good router, I think I just saw one. Then you just need to make sure all of the computers have 1 NIC each and you should be good to go, no software or second IP required.

 

[RossMAN]

If you check out this Hot Deals thread you can get:

EtherFast 10/100 Switched Network in a Box with a
5-Port 10/100 Auto-Sensing Switch,
2 10/100 LAN Cards with WAKE-on-LAN Remote Booting feature, and
2 15' Quality Category 5 UTP Cables

All for only $40 after coupons, price match and rebate.

 

[jaytone]

Thanks to all, really appreciated.
Bob

 

[Howard]

RossMAN, I don't believe that's a router...

 

[smp]

Yucky - I live in toronto as well, I just got an old pentium to use as a web server / router running mandrake.. but anyways.. that's not my point.. I want to know what isp you are using in the toronto area.. I'm trying to find an affordable DSL that allows me to run a web server, Rogers@home doesn't allow, but they do have static IP.. I know that I can use rogers and just firewall them.. but I would rather do it legit.. and with DSL too.. Sympatico is no good cause the ip isn't static.. and it's Adsl.. and the A sucks.. (for my purposes anyways)

 

[mthead]

Well you say you don't know anything about networking, but you'll have to network all the computers first. the main ( fastest computer ) that is already probably hooked to your cable modem will basically become the router. You'll need two nics in the main computer and one nic in each of the others and of course a hub. You don't really need a 100mbs hub a 10 will do unless you got extra cash. and of course you will need the cat 5 cable. Of the two nics that are in the Main machine, one goes to the hub and the other goes to the cable modem. i would use two diferent types of brands of nics in this machine so you are not confused when setting each of them up.Remember what order you install them in example Intel 3rd slot, reatek 4th slot, so you know which one is going to what device ( modem or hub) .Before you even turn off your machine, type winipcfg in your run box and write down all the information thats in there. Your going to need it. Once you have it hooked up you could go thru all the hassle of using the internet sharing in windows itself or make life easy by purchasing a program called Winproxy. It's real easy to hook up and goes thru all the setup on your computers. It works ok and there are different levels of licensing for different amounts of users. If you were going to go the router way i would suggest rather you buying an old pentium from someone cheap and loading corel linux to it and making it a web server. But that's another story alltogether. If i have misspelled and abused the english language, too bad i'm tired...

Mthead