Need help setting up home network using 1 dial-up internet account.

[DZip]

I need some help and advise on setting up my home network. I have 3 computers and would like to share one dial-up internet connection. I was thinking about using my main system which has a 1.33 GHz T-Bird, 256MB DDR ram, and Actiontec V.92 PCI modem accessing my dial-up account. I can run Cat5 cables or use the phone line. Wireless I think would be to expensive. What hardware do I need to set up a gateway network? I read somewhere or maybe I heard it on Tech TV about a website that explains networking, but I have been unable to find it. Any help would be appriciated.

System 1 - Athlon T-Bird 1.33 GHz, 256 MB DDR ram, Actiontech V.92, 56K PCI modem running W98SE

System 2 - Pentium 133, US Robotics 56K PCI moden running W98SE

System 3 - 486DX - 66MHz, 33K PCI modem running W95 (not service pack 2)

 

[rw120555]

Boy, the combo of old equipment, Win95, and dialup is going to make this a lot harder than I would like. In terms of configuring the computers, see

Networking between Win Xp/95/98/Me

I suspect the site you wanted was http://www.practicallynetworked.com. Lots of good FAQs and how-tos there.

Also see the AN Networking FAQs, especially the one on internet connection sharing.

JackMds has had some good suggestions in the past about routers that can do dialup, so if he doesn't otherwise respond you might pm him.

In general, I think I would (a) want one of the routers that can do dialup (b) if you can run Cat5 cable, that is great -- connections will be faster and more reliable; otherwise phone line or powerline are good (but check to make sure they work with Win95).

 

[vi edit]

If you want to go cheap, and easy, hit ebay for an old webramp. It's basically a four port hub, router, and modem controller. Easy to set up, easy to use, and pretty much takes care of itself.