2 pc`s one line?

  • Thread starter Thread starter steve
  • Start date Start date
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steve

hi all, i have an internet connection from the university, and i want to
share it between 2 pc`s without using a wireless card.
the computer that is connected at the moment, uses the onboard ethernet
adapter (a plug straight into the wall, no modem or router), the computer i
want to share the connection with is a laptop.
how would i go about doing this? do i have to install another network card
and use a crossover cable??
any advice would be appreciated.

thanx

steve
 
Option 1:
Buy a simple router which sits between the two PCs and the internet
connection.
The router usually has a 4-port switch built-in.
Pro:
Router isn't power hungry and PCs operate independently
Con:
System not directly connected to the internet any more (some applications
don't like it, in most cases its more secure so it can be a pro too).
Need to buy a router, which is probably more expensive than a network card.


Option 2:
Equip one PC with two NICs and use NAT (Network Address Translation), such
as Windows 98SE/2000/XP/2003 "Internet Connection Sharing" does.
Pro:
One system directly connected to the Internet. (better for some sharing
applications, however probably less secure)
Con:
One systems needs to be turned on to use the Internet on the other system.


Option 2 is more flexible when you spend a little money on a switch and buy
an extra cable (preferably straight). This is easer when you get a third
system you want to connect.


- Joris
 
steve said:
hi all, i have an internet connection from the university, and i want
to
share it between 2 pc`s without using a wireless card.
the computer that is connected at the moment, uses the onboard
ethernet
adapter (a plug straight into the wall, no modem or router), the
computer i
want to share the connection with is a laptop.
how would i go about doing this? do i have to install another network
card
and use a crossover cable??
any advice would be appreciated.

thanx

steve
Click to expand...


Hub, switch, router (might not need NAT since you are on a LAN unless it
is configured to allow only 1 IP address per wall port). If you try to
use ICS on one of your hosts, you'll need 2 NICs in that host (and the
cross-over CAT5 cable if you don't use a hub or switch between them).
 
Option 1:
Buy a simple router which sits between the two PCs and the internet
connection.
The router usually has a 4-port switch built-in.
Pro:
Router isn't power hungry and PCs operate independently
Con:
System not directly connected to the internet any more (some applications
don't like it, in most cases its more secure so it can be a pro too).
Need to buy a router, which is probably more expensive than a network card.
Click to expand...

<not all comments directly related to reply but lumped
together for completeness' sake).

Generally speaking, one can find out what port is being
blocked if an application isn't working, and *most* routers
can have those ports forwarded.

These days a simple 10/100Mb router, sometimes even though
with 802.11b, can be had for about $10-20 after rebate.
This might be the best option but as mentioned previously
it'd be good to confirm the particular router has either
application support as needed or the typical port-forwarding
if not PNP support. It would be even more important to
disable the 802.11b or secure it in such a dense, university
environment.

Option 2:
Equip one PC with two NICs and use NAT (Network Address Translation), such
as Windows 98SE/2000/XP/2003 "Internet Connection Sharing" does.
Pro:
One system directly connected to the Internet. (better for some sharing
applications, however probably less secure)
Con:
One systems needs to be turned on to use the Internet on the other system.


Option 2 is more flexible when you spend a little money on a switch and buy
an extra cable (preferably straight). This is easer when you get a third
system you want to connect.
Click to expand...


A derivative of option 2 might be to just buy a Gigabit NIC
now, which doesn't need a _crossover_ cable to connect to
the laptop, then if/when a 3rd system is needed, THEN one
might buy the router or switch. They're now available for
similar price for basic Realtek/Via/etc chipset (last I
bought was $15 delivered) and it can't hurt to have GbE
support present if/when it's ever desirable to implement it.

As for a switch, might as well buy a router instead even if
routing isn't needed, since they're now as cheap as switches
if bought on sale and even if routing isn't used it COULD be
used in the future. Plus it would seem a natural
progression to eventually add a WiFi card to the notebook
and want the wireless feature of the router.
 
steve said:
hi all, i have an internet connection from the university, and i want to
share it between 2 pc`s without using a wireless card.
the computer that is connected at the moment, uses the onboard ethernet
adapter (a plug straight into the wall, no modem or router), the computer i
want to share the connection with is a laptop.
how would i go about doing this? do i have to install another network card
and use a crossover cable??
any advice would be appreciated.

thanx

steve
Click to expand...
Have you asked your university's IT support people about it? Depending on
how their network topography is designed it might be possible to get away
with nothing more than a simple hub or switch. Dorm rooms, making a wild
guess that you are talking about such, might well be wired to allow multiple
connections on a single line since multi-person rooms are not uncommon (at
least at the low-rent schools I have experience with).
 
Have you asked your university's IT support people about it? Depending on
how their network topography is designed it might be possible to get away
with nothing more than a simple hub or switch. Dorm rooms, making a wild
guess that you are talking about such, might well be wired to allow multiple
connections on a single line since multi-person rooms are not uncommon (at
least at the low-rent schools I have experience with).
Click to expand...

Plus you need be careful about enabling ICS, depending on
how the school's network is set up - if you disconfigured it
- they may just pull the plug on you till you get ICS
disabled.
 
steve said:
hi all, i have an internet connection from the university, and i want to
share it between 2 pc`s without using a wireless card.
the computer that is connected at the moment, uses the onboard ethernet
adapter (a plug straight into the wall, no modem or router), the computer
i
want to share the connection with is a laptop.
how would i go about doing this? do i have to install another network card
and use a crossover cable??
any advice would be appreciated.

thanx

steve
Click to expand...

havent read the other posts so not too quizzed up on what others have said
but the best thing to do in my opinion, for someone who isnt that technical
(not suggesting anything) would be to buy a small 4 port hub and plug that
into the wall and then plug a connection from the hub into thr wall

or if you wanted to get cocky a small switch or router (switch is easier)
 
The best way is to buy a 4-Port Router to share the DSL signal between the
two computers. I would highly recommend the Linksys BEFSR41 4-port Router.
It is very reliable and easy to set up. It's also the best selling unit of
its kind. It costs about $49 from any computer supply store.
 
thanx for all you`re replies folx,.
i had a wireless connection to get the laptop connected, but it was crap,
kept disconnecting all the time.
i think i`ll gp for the 4 point router, it sound simple enough to set up ( i
hope).

cheers

steve
 
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