I don't really know all that much, but my job requires me to do so.
On with the home network?
Get a 4 ports Router if you want to get all computers onto the Internet, otherwise a cheap hub or switch would do.
Uses straight trough cables to hook the computers to the Router internal ports (can use the up-link port with a cross over cable if it is not a share port).
Internal address could be 192.168.x.x or 10.10.x.x
Use a straight through cable between the DSL/Cable modem & external Router port.
Register the router MAC address with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), or clone it from one of you computer.