• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

networking 2 PC's

Genesis15

Banned
I have the 25ft CAT5e hook from my onboard ethernet to the PC in the living room, then I have my internet going from the modem to my network card, so I have onboard and network in 1 PC and network in the other.. The cable isn't crossover I believe, it's a male/male. any help.
 
I'm kinda confused about your post. I'm guessing you're using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) to share your internet? We need more information. Are you able to get an IP address on your computer?

I suggest getting a cheap router. Windows ICS is garbage.
 
Disagree Cloud Strife,

My network is set up that way---and it fuctions perfectly---no router needed.---windows ICS is hardly garbage IMHO.

But were I to need more than two computers on a network---a router would be neccessary.

But to Genesis 15---you definitely need a crossover cable for that set up---a patch cable will not work.

look at the eight wires that go into the two male ends--if the wire color coding pattern is in the indentical order on each end its a patch cable---if only six or the 8 wires are identical--but two are reversed in order, you have a crossover cable.
 
I always recomend people getting a router, even if it's for a one computer network. By putting a router in front of your network, you're not exposing your computer to the public. Also, you don't need to have your host computer on 24/7. Consumer routers are so cheap these days ($20?), it's stupid not to get one IMO.
 
I have software firewalls on each computer and shut off my host computer multipe times daily.
But for me dsl and cable are not options---they simply are not available yet where I live. When and if the option becomes available I may have to look at various other options.

I fail to see any advantage a router would buy me except an excuse to blow 20 or more dollars on something I don't need.

But I am open minded---what would a router contribute?
 
To Cloud Strife,

I am well protected with a software firewall and have other layers of anti-malware protection as well---other than a few tracking cookies---nothing has gotten past my defenses for years.

If I had no software firewalls, a router would be of some value.
 
I don't care about protection, I just want to see the internet connection working on the other PC.... My local staples does not have crossovers, they just have the patch cables which I assumed would work.. How much are crossover cables per ft.? I need about 20-25ft and if I'm looking at over 20$ I'm just going to get a router/hub.

So there is no way to use ICS with a patch cable? I don't get it wth is a patch cable for then? it said that it would enable file sharing and Internet connection.
 
Ok, I just check and the website says they have 25' crossovers for like 13$ I can grab some tommorow, but it's going to have to be a definitave working situation where if I buy this it'll deffinatly work since I just dropped close to 60$ for this current equipment.
 
To Genesis 15,

Once you get the crossover cable, you should basically be in business hardware wise. Just connect the crossover cable to the NIC on each computer---but software wise---you must then run the microsoft internet connection sharing wizard.

One computer---the one with the modem---will be designated the host computer---run the ics wizard on it first---if the other computer runs xp also--no need for the floppy disk thing---then run the ics wizard on the client computer---and you should be in basic business with a network---then you can set up what you want to share.

Your host computer should have a ip address of 192.168.0.1-----the client computer should have a ip address of 192.168.0.x where x is any number between 2 and 255----I like to set up a static ip on the client computer---see microsoft knowledge base article 309642.

Thats all there is to it is in condensed basic steps----but now I must warn you----do care about security or you are a sitting duck---get sp2 on both computers----I use the free sygate 5.5 firewall on each computer---its one of the few that plays nice witth networks---get a anti-virus program---get malware scanners---get at least some process control---win patrol is free---process guard is free also---no need to buy any paid programs---go to the spyware warriors forum ---or castle cops for a basic security set up advice.

No one wants you back on these forums complaining about how some virus ate your OS. And thats the other wonderful thing about networking---any malware can freely jump from one PC to the other on your network.
 
ics is garbage...makes no sense to buy a $13 crossover when a router can be had for $5 more and adds numerous usefull features. i <3 bad advice...if your going to do it, do it right the first time.
 
Originally posted by: Lemon law
To Cloud Strife,

I am well protected with a software firewall and have other layers of anti-malware protection as well---other than a few tracking cookies---nothing has gotten past my defenses for years.

If I had no software firewalls, a router would be of some value.

And I haven't had a car accident in years, so I stopped wearing my seatbelt. I have mulitple airbags of protection anyway....


Other then sharing dialup (which is more expensive for the router) I don't see any reason to use ICS, as it's...

1. Inferior and more prone to breakage then a router
2. not as safe, even with a s/w firewall. NAT>any s/w firewall you have, including Linux IPTables
3. Limited in it's scope..what happens if you don't want to run 192.168.0.x network?
 
Well, software firewalls are of dubious value IMO. Dialup has probably been limiting your exposure a good bit, honestly.

A router is, honestly, both the easiest and best way to share an internet connection. I have had good luck with using the Dynex Dx-E401 for some of my clients' home and small business networks, and it's about 40 bucks new.
 
To Genesis 15,

Its your call here----everone but me seems to think you need a router----and if you are not willing to get real serious about security they may be somewhat right. And if there is even a small chance you may want to add a third computer, they are definitelty right.

As for me, my total network budget so far has been $18 for a 60' crossover cable---and until I get dsl, I see no reason to even consider changing.

look at the cited reasons

1. Inferior and prone to breakage?----------for me its been set it and forget it.---especially with a static ip client computer.
2. A software firewall is inferior to a hardware one?--------sure not cited on any computer security forums I have seen.---and I DO KNOW MORE ABOUT SECURITY THAN NETWORKING.
3. Limited in scope---what happens if I don't want to run a 192.168.0.x network?-------what ever works is fine with me---why would I want another network type?

Its also nice to see the more realistic post that a minimalist router will be more like $40.

But its your money and your choice---and I don't want to be the opinionated one that sucks you into a bad choice---so get many opinions.---but a $13.00 gamble on a crossover cable
will get your feet wet on networking---you can then buy a router later if you need more---and you can then use that patch cable you already have.
 
Back
Top