Network Suggestion

[MAVERICKS CHOICE]

If someone could recomend a simple solution for my network setup.

I would like to network both my machines & share my cable internet. I have both machines in remote rooms & my cable modem also in a remote location not close to either machine, the network cable from the modem runs directly to my main machine. I have another cable run directly from machine B to the modem so if necessary either one can be manually configured to access the internet. I would like to setup this network hopefully without running any more back bone cables as this is not easily done & would prefer not to go wireless unless absolutely necessary. I guess what I'm asking is would a simple ethernet switch or router be required & also the possibility of adding maybe a couple more machines in the future?

[XtremeMaC]

well easiest way would be to get a switch/router or a simple hub.

this way u can easily add other machines.

but if u really really don't want to do that

u can purchase another ethernet card to your computer. ok here's the setup

your comp will have 2 ethernet cards

1 will be connected to the cable modem

other will be connected to the other computer.

and u'll enable internet sharing connection in your computer. and this way it'll work perfectly.

only problem this will cause is if the other computer wants to get online while your computer is shut down...

[MAVERICKS CHOICE]

Thanks Xtrememac if I go the way of the switch port whats involved in setting it up. I looked at couple & they both did not appear to have any instruction & their sites were a little lacking. Im running xp sp2 on both machines.

[jw50]

Given your current setup the best thing you could do is get a router (not a switch or hub). Most routers have a 4 port switch built in.

The problem with just using a switch or hub is that you would need separate IP addresses from your ISP for each of the computers. Most ISPs charge for additional IP addresses and some will not allow you to even purchase an additional IP address.

With the router you will only need one external IP address from your ISP and the router will assign internal IP addresses to the computers on your home network.

Netgear, D-Link, Linksys, as well as others, all make routers that are very easy to setup and are fairly cheap.