How to add a new computer to our two-computer network?

[slicksilver]

I need to add a new computer to my workgroup folks and I'm not sure on how to go about it. Here are some facts:

? We have two computers.
? Both computers are connected by a crossover cable.
? One of the computers has two network cards. The other network card is used for the internet and internet sharing is enabled. Internet is perfect on both the computers and all I need to do now is to add the third computer to the network.
? I have a new unused 8 port switch, network card and network cable.

Ipconfig /all stats are given below for both computers:

PC ?A? (Main Computer)

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : OFFICE-COMPUTER
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter LAN:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : CNet FAST200WL PCI Wake On LAN Fast
Ethernet Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-A1-6C-EC-CD
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Maruthi Online:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : CNet FAST200WL PCI Wake On LAN Fast
Ethernet Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-A1-6C-EC-D0
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.102.22
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.102.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 61.95.154.4
202.56.230.5

PC ?B? (Workstation)


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Boss-Computer
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mixed
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : mshome.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Eth
rnet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-A1-56-45-E0
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.170
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, June 22, 2004 1:42:47 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, June 29, 2004 1:42:47 PM

What is the best way to do this?

Thanks in advance

Raj

 

[WannaFly]

connect all three into the switch with straight through cables, should work fine.

 

[kfranc9]

Haha....I highly agree. Go check out pricewatch.com or newegg.com for a cheap 4-port router and be done with it.

OR

you could add a NIC to one of the current computer and make a crossover to the third computer. I don't know how you're connecting to the internet so I guess this could be up for discussion.

 

[slicksilver]

Wannafly, you mean regular cables or crossover cables?

So what I should do is make three cables go from all the three computers into the switch? The 4th cable(internet cable) can be left with the Main Computer right?

Thanks for your help

 

[kfranc9]

correct...straight cables from computers to switch. your switch should have an uplink (wan) port that can connect directly to the internet. Instead of bottlenecking all 3 computer to your "Main Computer"'s NIC...you should use the router (i believe ure using a home router since u have private IP addresses).

 

[JackMDS]

You have two options:

1. The Internet Shares You. I.e. you continue with a concoction of Double NICs NAT software, and cross over cables.

That would be sharing your emotions when eventually such a concoction will trash the TCP/IP stack and the only recourse will be to Post Why? It worked until Now.

2. You Share the Internet.

Build a normal Network around a Cable/DSL Router (may be even Wireless Laptop to be in Style).

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

Ignore the prices in the links above. The same or similar hardware can be found for 60%-90% less.

Link to: Windows Network - Installing & Sharing.

And the whole thing should lookk like this: Diagram of Broadband Connection with Cable/DSL Router.

Here:
Wireless 4 Port Cable/DSL Gateway Router $20 after rebate.

The same Vendor has the Wired version of this Router for $5 less.

:sun: