Maximum PC

Hello all,

I have two computers running Win XP Pro, one has an Asus A7N8X-E Deulx with the two built in ethernet ports. One is an older Athlon TBird sys with a PCI ethernet card in it (though I have one or two other network adapters to spare if necessary.)
I have cable broadband with an exterior motorola modem.
I have plenty of cat 5e cable.
I have a SOHOWare 5 port hub where one port is labeled "Uplink/Normal" with a toggle switch.

I want these computers to network with each other, while both also being able to access the Internet. I've managed to thumb my way through making it work in every configuration except that! (One has internet other doesnt, both network - neither goes on line, etc,...)

What do I do?

Thanks,
-Chris

Quite honestly I wouldn't set this up without using a router, which is the easiest way. You can do it without a router though. I have never done it so I don't have any personal tips for you, but I do know you need to setup ICS on the PC with 2 network adapters. Below is the link to Microsofts how to on setting up ICS.

ICS setup guide

BTW When doing this, the PC thats sharing the connection must be on for the others to have internet as well, which is another positive aspect of using a router instead.

I agree. If you have the cash to spare, get a router. They're not that expensive. I've seen decent ethernet-only LinkSys and DLink routers for under 50 bucks. They come with all the instructions you should need to get yourself up and running in a matter of minutes. If you need any more help with that, though, we have more than enough network-savvy people here to give you a hand.

And, as Iamdeman said, your only other viable choice would be to use Internet Connection Sharing. I hate that thing with a passion, but its an option.

ROUTER ROUTER ROUTER!!!

ICS does work but it is a royal pain in the backside and can slow the box running it to a crawl. Linksys routers run about 45 dollars now and are easy to setup giving you a solid way to share a connection. Heck, if you are really in a geeky mood and have a spare box, you could use Coyote Linux to setup a Linux router. Very simple to do as well...

If you do plan to use ICS, forget about on-line gaming...

roughter is a good idea but check with your isp they may offer multiple ip address im with comcast and for an aditional 9.99/month i can have up to 5 seperat ip addresses i am curently runing thru a linksys 5 port switch and i curently have 3 connected and online and all working fine all run xp home

i'd get a router anyways as opposed to getting additional IP addresses. i believe it's $10/month for each extra IP, which would end up costing more than a router in less than 3 months if you're doing 4 machines.

router also provides you with a basic firewall protection.

NO NO NO

NAT is easier and it gives you an additional level of security.

Also, a router will pay for itself in 6-10 months against your $10/month

For budget concerns I've been using a CAT-5 crossover cable directly connected between my sons computer and mine. I have not experienced any degredation in performance of my system. I have only been able to get this to work between 2 XP machines, not with any other OS'es.

Why oh why would you do that?

You know buying extra IPs wont get you faster speed or anything...your speed is still shared across all 3 PCs.

You're getting ripped off man.

That option has its place, but it's not in this guy's scenario. A router would pay for itself in less than a year (less than 6 months depending on the model), and there would be no real benefit in doing otherwise.

What router do you all recommend? Linksys? I see a lot of the "g" flavor of wireless router out that might work in my house.

I have the Linksys BEFSR41 (wired) router - gets the job done. I'm partial to SMC myself, but ended up with the Linksys because of a sale at the time.

Linksys BEFSR41:
http://tinyurl.com/yv6le

Here's Linksys's wireless BEFSX41:
http://tinyurl.com/3buez

And Linksys's "g flavor":
http://tinyurl.com/375os

And the one I would get if I were buying today. Newegg has a good deal on an SMC wireless, "g flavor" - $39.99 after MIR if you're into rebates:
http://tinyurl.com/6r5l5

I went another direction the Linksys 5-port Switch. At 1st I had 3 XP Pro, PC's sharing 1 Cable IP amoung the 3 via PCI Linksys Ether cards. Yup, i got Cat5 wire running to 2 other rooms in the house. Throw rug does wonders! Sharing 1 IP on 3 gaming rigs, the results were poor for me with my provider. To much bandwith loss/lag if more than one person was gaming at the same time.

Now using the same Linksys 5-port switch I upgraded to 3 Cable IP's. The bandwith is fairly equal now on all 3 much better now for gaming. For network sharing files/printer I installed NetBEUI Protocol amoung the 3 for better security. I have Norton Personal Firewall where I grant IP access to each other for Lan Games or using Voice (Roger Wilco).

Pale

Thanks again all, I'm not sure if I put up the end result. I went with a D-Link wireless G router with 4 wired ports. I picked up one wireless access card for my parent's machine downstairs in their apartment, with my computers wired to the router, which receives broadband from the cable line entering my apartment. Reception is fine. Chose this over linksys for the $50 savings in cost for the two pieces. I'm satisifed.

"Capt. Jack" (lol...still funny!) has a thread in here about a great Motorola deal over at Target. Check it out.

http://www.maximumpc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1131

The router is only $59.99, and it has all the features you'd want in a router, plus a WAP right on it.