Internet Sharing vs Router

  • Thread starter Thread starter tonyk
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tonyk

I have two machines running xppro, connected to a router, then to the
internet via Comcast cable modem. I have an extra 10/100 net card and a
xover cable. What would be the pros and cons of running my network through
my main computer (network sharing, no proxy) vs using my Linksys router?
I do online gaming and hosting of games.

Thanks, tonyk
 
I would leave it as you have it. Both computers can access the internet
independent of each other and share files, printers, etc when using the
router. If you use a crossover cable to connect the computers then the main
computer would have to be on in order for the second one to connect to the
'net.
 
I have two machines running xppro, connected to a router, then to the
internet via Comcast cable modem. I have an extra 10/100 net card and a
xover cable. What would be the pros and cons of running my network through
my main computer (network sharing, no proxy) vs using my Linksys router?
I do online gaming and hosting of games.

Thanks, tonyk
Click to expand...
This brings to mind a time-honored rule-of-thumb for me; "if it ain't
broke, then don't fix it". Changing your setup buys you nothing and
forces you into having the "main" computer on for ALL internet access
for any other machine.
 
If you use a crossover cable to connect the computers then the main
computer would have to be on in order for the second one to connect to
the 'net.
Click to expand...

Not a problem it's always on, the other one isn't.
 
This brings to mind a time-honored rule-of-thumb for me; "if it ain't
broke, then don't fix it". Changing your setup buys you nothing and
forces you into having the "main" computer on for ALL internet access
for any other machine.
Click to expand...

Changing my setup bypasses the proxy, and, the main computer is the one
that IS always on.
Pro's and cons? I'm trying to bypass the proxy limitations of serving from
my machines, without redirects. I want to be able to serve different games
from each machine at the same time, without dealing with the router. Is
internet sharing what I want?

tonyk
 
If your router also provides a firewall, chances are good that it is more
robust than the Internet Connection Firewall built into XP. If you use one
machine as a gateway, then you lose your router's firewall for the gateway
machine.

There are other configuration issues as well. Internet Connection Sharing
in XP will provide a lightweight DHCP server. Your router also provides
this function.

What you discuss is certainly doable, but I agree with the other posters -
use the router. If playing games is a problem look in your router's help to
figure out how to open the approriate ports for the machine you host games
on.

Also, if you do go with the "machine as gateway" scenario, you don't need a
crossover cable. Just plug a regular cable into the router's uplink port
from your second NIC - it handles the crossover for you.
 
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