Very new to networking, please answer some simple questions?

[Markolc]

I have two computers at home that I want to connect to my Cable modem. I heard somewhere you need a router to do this. That's fine, I can buy a router for it. But I also want the two computers to be able to see each other (like transfer files between each other, and play multiplayer games). Does a router do this also? If not do I need to get a hub? I don't want to buy two pieces of equipment and have to switch cables between 'em to make it play multiplayer, or to use internet.

 

[sohcrates]

If both computers are behind the router (i.e. cable modem goes into router...then all computers hook to router) you will be able to see each other on the network as long as you're all on the same workgroup, yes.

A router is necessary if you do not want to buy multiple IP's. Basically, you buy one IP, which the router takes...then all the computers connected to the router can have 'net acces w/out needing more IP's

 

[Markolc]

Thank You very much.

 

[JackMDS]

The Basic Options to Share Internet Connection (Internet Sharing 101).


Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

 

[JanLucPicard]

I checked that post above hoping it would help me too but no dice...


Here is my problem, very closely related: Two comps, an older running 2000professional and a newer with a fast proc running XP. Both are connected to a LinkSys cable/DSL router.

What is important to me is getting the XP to see the 2k. I understand that theoretically each comp should be able to see the other, but when I go to Networking ---> Computers Near Me and it finds the other comp, all it sees is the printer and the task scheduling folders. What settings do I have to adjust, and should I manually assign IPs to each comp, and if so, how?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, I've never doen this before and it is alien to me

Thanks all!!

 

[GigaCluster]

<< What is important to me is getting the XP to see the 2k. I understand that theoretically each comp should be able to see the other, but when I go to Networking ---> Computers Near Me and it finds the other comp, all it sees is the printer and the task scheduling folders. What settings do I have to adjust, and should I manually assign IPs to each comp, and if so, how? >>


If you want the two computers to simply share files/printers, then the two machines must be on the same workgroup and sharing directories.
If you want the computers to see each other via TCP/IP, you'd need to assign IP addresses that are both on the same network.

 

[JanLucPicard]

Machines are both in the same workgroup. I don't know how to assign IP's in 2000. Computers are both behind the router and are in the 192.168.x.x IP range, but I don't know what is what

 

[Markolc]

So with a router for the cable modem, I'll still be able to have full access from one computer to the other computer, just using the router? Like Use one computer's cd-rom drive from the other computer, and look thru the other computers entire library of files??

 

[JackMDS]

What you call Cable Router, is a combo unit that contains among the others, Switch, and Hardware NAT.

The switch part is the same as any network switch that allows you to connect computers together to create a network.

The Hardware NAT is the part that Routes the Internet.

 

[Markolc]

Thanks