Connecting computer with hub.

[FantasySoul]

Hi,being a newbe in networking just want to know how to connect computers with a hub.I have 3 computers that I need to connect to the internet.The hub have dsl plugged in and the hub light indicators are working.
But the problem is I can't get them all connect to the internet.They are all XP's that I have configured with network set-up wizard.Sharing file is also impossible.Is there some special ways to connect them together?I am using a computer to connect to dsl thru the hub.
The network cable are different(different coloured cable)when I see the RJ-45 connector.Is there a way to tell them apart or is this the reason I can't connect?
Please help I'm getting dizzy:confused:

[FantasySoul]

my bad.It's a10/100mbps ethernet network switch.

[alfie2]

dont reply to your own post, man___use EDIT button(its there for a reason). anyways, you need a ROUTER to share Internet or you setup one of your computer as dedicated XP-ICS server to share Internet; you will need 2 NIC card in that particular system.
The router option is cheap and simple to setup.
BTW, a router is just a network switch with routing functions added.

[FantasySoul]

dont reply to your own post, man___use EDIT button(its there for a reason). anyways, you need a ROUTER to share Internet or you setup one of your computer as dedicated XP-ICS server to share Internet; you will need 2 NIC card in that particular system.
The router option is cheap and simple to setup.
BTW, a router is just a network switch with routing functions added.

Sorry I forgot bout that.Thanks for the info.You mean I have to set one of my pc to XP-ICS?But I don't know how.
The cat5 cable I have were Straight-through type cable.Still didn't manage to get them connect with the switch.What type should I get?I've search the internet for the infos but too hard to understand.

[sgtspector]

You can use ICS with xp but you will need two nics in the pc connected to the internet. One to connect to your modem and the second to connect to the switch. But, if you use a router/switch combination device like this (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1122062340941&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper) or this wireless one (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1127782957298&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper) then you dont need two nics in any pc. The router acts as the connected pc for the purpose of accessing the internet and acquiring an ip address from your provider. HTH

[FantasySoul]

I see.thanks for your reply.Instead of having 2 NIC(what do it stands for?ethernet card?).But it was a good suggestion when come to think of it.
I connect the adsl line to the switch instead.And hoping it will share the internet connection to multiple PC.But the truth is can this be done?By having 1 pc connected to the internet then all of them share the line.

[glc]

I connect the adsl line to the switch instead.And hoping it will share the internet connection to multiple PC.But the truth is can this be done?

Nope. You need a router or ICS, that's the only way to share a single IP address, which is all you get. ICS turns the computer the DSL modem is connected directly to into a kind of router.

[FantasySoul]

What is a ICS?a router like device?
Well anyway since that don't work.I might as well shift to plan B.That is by using a computer as an internet gateway.But still I got question.

1.How to set up the other computer that connects to the switch so it can use the internet?
2.Does cable type counts here?
3.Switch basically only connect a pair of PC?not multiple PC?

[mbossman2]

ICS is Internet Connection Sharing. It is a feature of Windows that allows multiple windows to share a single internet connection.

a router is a device that does the same thing (plus has additional switch ports)

your options are:

1) get a router (best choice)
2) use ICS and connect one NIC to the boradband modem and the other to the switch and all other pc's connect to the switch.
3) by multiple IP addresses from your ISP..

(I vote for a router...it is easier to configure and maintain)

[glc]

ICS *is* using a computer as a gateway. If you go this way, connect all computers to the switch with standard straight patch cables.

[FantasySoul]

Okay I've done that.But it seems that.But still again cannot connect to internet more than 2 computer.Which means only one computer connected to internet while the other one still remain "connected to network"only.
The ICS computer have a rather old network card.It uses ISA.It's a "ne2000 compatible ISAPNP ethernet adaptor(generic)"I use it as a connection to the switch.

[FantasySoul]

Okay an update.The line worked.I have to disable or enable the Local area connection,in which they all see the ICS computer internet connection.Then they all can connect!And they all can use file sharing.Just worry about disconnect and connect again..CHeers!Thanks all!