Do I REALLY have to buy a router???

[roomwithamoose]

I have cable internet. I'm building my sister's computer, and soon I'll want to connect it to the internet. Is it possible to use the ethernet connection to one computer, then the USB connection to the other computer at the same time? I don't think you can, but it's worth asking before I go and spend more money!

[Panama Red]

Nope, you need a router. Plus you'll want to share a printer and maybe pics and music files. Router will let you do all that and you get a free bonus - hardware firewall.

[calvinhobbes]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=113657&highlight=usb+cable

[netnamakan]

Cant directly answer your question, but if you do get a router you wont have to run firewalls on either of the pc's which I think is worth the $20-30

just my 02 :)

[roomwithamoose]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=113657&highlight=usb+cable
LOL! Silly me and not searching! Thanks for letting me know!

[JPMiller]

Heres a cheap alternative..
Router SMC7004VBR Barricade (wired) $12 shipped (http://www.resellerratings.com/forum/t111377.html)
WalMart has a good $40 "network anywhere" router

[bailey]

I would strongly recommend that you use a router, it will make networking a lot better for you in the future.

[roomwithamoose]

While I'm on the subject, I just finished installing WinXP Home, and now I'm setting everything up. Right now I'm having trouble getting the new computer onto the internet. The first thing that I realized is that I should probably install the drivers for the onboard LAN (duh!). Did that, rebooted, and go through the Connection Setup. Everything happens fine and dnady, but now it's telling me that there is either no connection, or the connection is limited. In Device Manager, the LAN port is active and operating fine. And when I unplug the cable from the new computer, back into mine (to post this), the window pops up in the corner telling me that a network cable is unplugged. What am I missing???

[bailey]

unplug the power from the router and with both computers off, reconnect the power for the router, turn on first computer, then make sure it is on the internet, then connect the second computer and it should be on the internet too.

[ktkendall]

I don't think he has the router yet, and may be running into the mac address problem. Cable broadband internet registers the mac address of your PC and from then on will only recognize that PC and allow access. Once you get the router and call than and have them reset their end then you'll not have to mess with that either again because now it will be the mac address of the routers wan port which you will not have to change even as you add move and change PC's..

[glc]

moose: Exactly how are you trying to get it on the Internet? If you are simply moving the Ethernet cable from the modem from one computer to the other, you have a MAC issue, try powering the modem down for 15 minutes to reset the MAC.

If you are not going to use a router, you can connect both using ICS. You can leave it connected the way it is now, install a second NIC, and use a crossover cable - or you can install the USB drivers for the modem, switch it to USB, and use a crossover from the existing NIC. It must be a crossover cable, a straight patch cable will not work.

For 12 bucks shipped, that SMC router is a no brainer, it's a quality router. I'd avoid Network Anywhere, that's a stripped down Linksys and isn't very reliable.

[JPMiller]

your right it is a "re-badged" linksys... but I don't see how its unreliable... in fact I've used 4 of them in the past as they are an easy to set up, reliable alternative to finding something on the net...
what are you basing their "unreliability" on?

[roomwithamoose]

Thanks for the help guys, I'm just getting into networking. I'll go and buy a router later on this week, it sounds like it'll just make everything easier. Could anyone recommend a brand? And what about wireless? I've got three computers, two in my room and one in another room. It'd be nice to get all three on the internet without having to run any cables.

[Panama Red]

Here's one of the best deals out their right now. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-122-052&depa=0

$55 after rebate gets you a 54g wireless router and a PCMCIA card. That will get your main system on line (wired) and connect one other via wireless. You can pick up any other 54g wireless card and it should pick up the network. Think you can only get one rebate from Netgear. That's why I mention getting another brand of card if you want to take advantage of another rebate. Here's one for $20 after rebate. I've had good luck with products made by these guys.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-156-140&depa=0

[Redfallon]

Looks like that netgear router only supports WEP 152bit? Not bad security at all, but I've found WEP to use up a little more overhead and WPA is supposedly more secure. Odd, anyway, I'd look for one that supports WPA. I recommend the linksys wrt54g if you're going with 802.11g.

[glc]

JP: We are never going to agree on our philosophies. It's not "rebadged" - it's a stripped down version built by who knows what Chinese OEM and marketed through a Cisco/Linksys subsidiary - like an Asrock motherboard is built by PC Chips and marketed by an Asus subsidiary. I'm glad you and your customers are not having problems with the offbrand stuff you are selling them, but mine have and I won't do it any more. In this specific instance, why pay 40 bucks for something questionable when you can get a real SMC for $12?

I agree with Red if you want wireless-G. The Linksys WRT54G is a solid router, as are the matching Linksys adapters. Not the cheapest around, but they work well.

[roomwithamoose]

Awsome. Well, Friday is pay day, so I'll pick up that Linksys router. Thanks for the help!

[JPMiller]

I don't feel we are differing greatly in out "philosophies"... I just want to know exactly what is "stripped" about it and the only reason I mentioned it, is Walmart is down the road from most people, and if you have a problem you can run down and exchange or return it...
Of course I would choose the SMC for $12... thats why I linked it... but its through a private seller.. no warranty or real guarantee...
I have used many different routers, and in all honesty when I was getting a good deal on those routers, (less than $30) I bought a few because they worked well...
I don't sell poor products or unreliable parts... If something turns out to eventually be bad, I try to learn from my mistake... I think you might be surprised at how many components you use yourself that are actually "off brand".
I would not like having to constantly deal with support calls due to bad hard ware, but I do try to find the best price performance ratio I can...
I have used lots of things considered "unreliable" by some.
If I have good experiences with them... ECS and PCChips mobos included... I use them.
I still like the K7S5A's for budget builds... and I know of MANY AT style PCChips boards still in use...
unless you can give me clear reason for specifically why they are poor routers, (beyond that they are made by a supposed subsidiary) I cant see a reason for your crapping on my suggestion... Have you ever even used one?

[glc]

Yes. It doesn't have good throughput when you connect multiple machines to it. Also, you cannot get tech support for any of the advanced features - they provide e-mail and phone support only for the basic Web functions, for anything advanced you have the help file and nothing else.

Supported Functions. Although the EtherFast Cable/DSL Router is a functional router; technical support is only provided for the Basic Web Access option on the router. If you want to use the Advanced features, please use the help button on each respective page. At this time there is no phone or Email support available for the Advanced features.

Sorry. Linksys, D-Link, or SMC for me, please.