Using windows as a bridge...not router. how?

[Superman9534]

I have 4 computers. 2 macs and 2 PCs. both macs and my 700mhz PC are upstairs on an ethernet network with a cable modem and linksys router, and my XP 2200+ is in my basement. As of now I have a phoneline networking card in both PCs, and windows 2000 (on the 700 upstairs) is set up to share ethernet connection over the phoneline connection. Now it works fine, however, Windows 2000 must make itself act as a router, and set the phonline connection on the 700 to 192.168.1.0. I don't need it to do this since my router already takes care of this for me. Also, during LAN parties, I am forced to move my modem downstairs, because when I try to share the connectin AGAIN in the basement (phoneline to ethernet this time) it says "IP already in use) (from the 700).

So my question is, how can I get windows 2000 to just share the connection, and obtain another IP address from my router, rather then setting it itself? This could save me $200 in wireless stuff... (also can you do it on XP pro also...thats what im running on my 2200+)

 

[JackMDS]

In Windows Desktop, Click Start / Help&Support. Type Bridge into the search.

Voila, Windows will tell you every thing Bridge.

 

[rw120555]

It would be easy if the XP machine and the Win2000 machine were reversed, i.e. the XP machine was by the router and Macs. You would go into network connections, select the ethernet and hpna card, right click, and choose "bridge connections". You would then be bridging your hpna and ethernet networks. BUT, I don't think Win2000 supports bridging.

In WinXP help, the most relevant topic is "Using a mixed network environment". In your case, you have a mix of ethernet and hpna.

Another option would be to buy a Netgear PE102 HPNA/Ethernet bridge. Connect it to the router upstairs. You can sometimes find these relatively cheap on Ebay. Or, the Linksys hpb200 is comparable, as are a few other devices. Click here for info on the PE102.