Some cable modem questions.

[mulder]

I have not actually subscribed yet, but I hope to within the next week maybe. Intermedia @Home here in Nashville is offering free installation and service for only $29.95 a month.

I have a couple of questions though. My roommate and I are wanting to share the connection or get an extra IP address if the charge isn't that high. I just have one computer and my roommate has two. I also have a switch where my roommate just has a hub. My switch has never been hooked up, because there was never a need for it. The reason I bought it was because I couldn't pass on the deal I got.

Anyway, what are the basics I need to know as far as hooking all the computers up and getting things working? I have been reading about things you can tweak in the registry to help speed things up on the connection, etc. Would I do this tweaks on my computer or the one where the modem is acutally hooked up to? This kinda ties in with the previous question...But if we get two seperate IP addresses, will we have to set up a computer as a server (my guess is no)? I would assume that each computer and the modem would plug into the switch or something along the same lines. Correct, or am I was off base?

If you could provide some help with my questions I would appreciate it. The main reason I am an trying to get these answer is to have the least amount of trouble gettings things up and running. My roommate would have to set up one of his computers as a server (if we needed one) and I don't want the hassle of having to mess with his computer if things need tweaking etc. Make sense? So what would be the best solution?

BTW, I am checking out SpeedGuide.net, but things are a little confusing over there (at least for me).

 

[mulder]

Sorry to reply to my own message, but I wanted to ask some more questions...

1) Do I need to let the Intermedia people install and hook up the modem to our computers or is it better to do this ourselves? Is it difficult to do an install like this?

2) Coming from my lack of knowledge of networks, will my roommate have access to my computer drives, etc. when we finally get all of this hooked up? We are both friends, but we also want security too.

3) I have a printer and a scanner. Will my roommate be able to use these if needed?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

 

[Slowlearner]

Take a look at Tim Higgins' site www.practicallynetworked.com.
To share a cable modem you have two broad options: a hub/software combo or a hardware router.

Based on my experience, I had a hard time setting up a network, esp two NICs in one computer and couldn't get the internet sharing software to work reliably. I opted for a LInksys router which was easy to set up and with occasional hiccups has worked fine for six months. This strictly home use and limited to file/printer sharing + internet sharing. There is no noticeable degradation even with 4 users.

 

[kw7]

I personally have no problem using Win2k as my ICD server, the major drawback (especially for youe case) is that the ICS server must have to be turned on all the time, in order to let everyone be able to access the internet.
>2) Coming from my lack of knowledge of networks, will my roommate have access to my computer drives, etc. when we finally get all of this hooked up? We are both friends, but we also want security too.

He won't unless you share them.

>3) I have a printer and a scanner. Will my roommate be able to use these if needed?

yes, if you share your printer. Don't know much about sharing a scanner or any Twain device.

And yes, I agree with Slowlearner, www.practicallynetworked.com is a very good site for network stuff. If you/your friend are using 95/98/ME check out their ICS Configuration, it is a very good/simple utility for 98 ICS.
ICS Configuration

 

[convex]

if you get multiple ips just plug your modem into the uplink on the switch and plug into the switch as you normally would