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How to share cable access between 2 PCs?

G

ghart999

Member
Hi,

I hope this is the right forum for this question.

I am somewhat of a newbie with networking but not with PCs in general (I have built many). I currently have cable access to my desktop machine. I am adding another machine (Dell laptop) that I wish to hook up to my cable service. The laptop already has an 10/100 NIC card and I have a cable modem of course. What exactly do I need to buy (hardware and/or software) to allow both machines to share the connection? I assume the device I need is a hub. Would just a simple 2 port hub be sufficient? I assume I would just configure my laptop with the exact same network settings as the desktop. Is this all I need to do?

I would appreciate whatever help you can give. Also any suggestions on inexpensive but reliable hardware would be appreciated.

Gregg
 
actually, this should be over in the networking forum

yes, a simple hub or switch is exactly what you need.

check out practically networked for lots of networking info.

the real question is whether you want to have your second box "route" through your primary for internet, or do you just want to purchase a second IP from your cable modem company (usually 5 bucks extra a month)
 
You can use a hub to connect both, but then you will have to buy another computer name or IP from your ISP. When i had @home it was a $10 initial fee then $7 a month. If you want to share the connection between one name, you could make your desktop the gateway by having 2 NIC's in the desktop, then usingcrossover cable from the laptop to the desktop, and then have the other cable from the desktop go into the modem. The other thing you can do to share the connection on one computer name is buy a cable/DSL router. ^^
 
Which OS's are used?
Sorry if I missed where you stated them ...

I currently share cable modem access with 3 PC's. (All win2k)

The one with the modem attached has 2 network cards, then I run sygate on that machine as a host for the others. The client machines don't* need anything installed to connect to sygate, just to connect to the net via LAN and to auto detect proxy settings.

*Sygate sets up the LAN nic automatically on the host, and can make a disk you can run for the connecting machines to set their IP address's (to use a common local only IP)

I havn't had a prob yet, apart from the initial setup where the network cards needed disabling and reboot, then renabled one at a time with reboots inbetween (rather bizzare I felt!)

All are 10/100 nics (cable one doesn't have to be) connected via an 8 port 10/100 hub
 
Two ways to do this.

1. Setup a gateway using one of the PC's. This is described in detail above so I won't repeat it.

2. Get a DSL/Cable modem router. Linksys makes a good one (I use it at my house). Last I checked the 4 port version sold for about $100 at BestBuy. Here is how to set it up: Cable->Cable Modem->Router->PC's. There is some advantage to this over the gateway system. You use dedicated hardware for the router which in most cases will be faster than a gateway PC. It has a built in NAT/Firewall system to offer some protection to your network (some, but not bulletproof). It has built in DHCP so you can add something like 127 computers behind it, while they all look like one to the cable modem.

Personally, I like the router idea better than setting up 2 NIC's in a machine to act as a gateway. But its your choice.
 
Nord,

A cable router definatelt sounds like the way to go. I don't want to put 2 nics in my desktop if I can avoid it. Plsu paying $7/month more for an extra IP sucks. I will try the Linksys router.

BTW the desktop is running Win ME and the laptop will be XP Home version. Should this be a problem at all?

Thanks again.
 


<<
BTW the desktop is running Win ME and the laptop will be XP Home version. Should this be a problem at all?

Thanks again. >>



no problems, the router does all the work. mind you, those linksys routers cost around a hundred bucks. there's usually sales and special offers on them though
 


<< Found a SMC router at Dell for $67 during their 20% off sale. IS this brand any good? >>



If it is the 4 port Barricade with the printer port... yes. I use and I recommend it.

The printer port is nice for sharing over the network. That way you can connect your laptop and print without having to turn on the other computer.
 
Yes it's the Barricade unit. Yes Printer port is nice. Especially for $65 shipped. I'll order this one now.

Thanks again for all the help.
 
I also have a SMC Barricade, works just fine, also has a built-in printserver. Might find a better deal on Pricewatch....

It can be a little awkward because of ports on two sides, not a big deal.
 
Just get a router...If you wanna use cable to connect your lappy, get a regular router. If you wanna use your lappy wirelessly, you'll need wireless cards for the puters and a wireless router, but I recommend just a plain router. I have this one, and am very happy with it. It serves as a regular switch, which means that you can share data and peripherals among your computers and it also has a built-in firewall, which provides some security for your network there...It's also very simple to set-up. i didn't even have to follow the steps in the manual, but even if you do it's amazingly simple.

Good luck.
 
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