Newbie Networking Question...about to get a cable modem

[Helpless]

Greetings, I am about to get a cable modem and have two computers I would like to use...but not really up on networking whatsoever, so need some help...

1.) I think it's an addition $5.00 a month for a second IP address...Should I get a second IP address, or is there a way to have the main computer handle this?

2.) Do I need Windows 2K, or is there a way to run it using Windows 98SE...any other software needed?

3.) What kind of hardware am I looking at, and how much do you think this whole operation would cost me? I think I need some good ol' coaxial...2 Ethernet cards (what kind?) and a hub or something that's the extent of my knowledge...need some help!

So all I have is two computers running Windows 98SE and a cable modem on the way...Where do I start?

 

[Jator]

Either buy a router that can handle the ICS for you, or plug 2 NIC's into a Win98Se or W2k machine and use ICS. The first NIC would be connected to the cable modem while the other NIC would be connected to the 2nd computer.

E-mail me if you are interested in more info.

Jay

 

[BCYL]

The easiest way to do this is buy a cable router... takes around 10 mins to setup, and provide a hardware firewall for security... but it will cost your $$...

The cheap way to do this is let one of your PC handle ICS (internet connection sharing)... in other words you are sharing that 1 IP the ISP provide you between the two computers... all you need for this is 2 NICs in the PC the cable modem is connected to, and another NIC in the other computer... Then just connect the 2 PCs using a crosssover CAT5 cable, no need for hubs/switches... Once your network is up and running, setup ICS (which comes with Win98SE) to share the connection...

either way you do not have to buy additional IP from your cable provider...

visit HomePCLAN for more info on how to setup your network...

 

[BCYL]

By the way, the PC connected to the cable modem needs to be on whenever the other PC wants to use the internet... so if you have some old PC (ie. 486) lying around you can use that PC as the server and handle the ICS... so your other PCs does not have to be on at all times... this will also protect your other PCs from hacker attacks...