3 machines without a hub?

[as167]

Is it possible to network 3 machines without a hub? I want to use 1 machine(win 2000 server) as a router and be able to access the web from the other 2 machines(win 2000 pro). The net connection is adsl and I am wondering if I could just put multiple NIC's in the would be router and do it that way - my knowledge is very sketchy at this stuff.

[HAL9000]

You could probably put two more NIC's in the server, but do you really want the trouble of keeping 3 NIC's in one machine from fighting with each other? If you're just looking to share internet access, get a cheap 10 base hub and simplify the task.

[as167]

Thanks for the reply Hal. Yeah, thought as much - whats the best way to set up a router? Proxy software? I also want to be able to use telnet and ftp from the other machines.

[HAL9000]

The best way, but the most expensive way is with a router. The Linksys (http://www.linksys.com/Products/group.asp?grid=23) and the SMC Barricade (http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=products_choose_product&cat_id=4&prodCat=Broadband%20Routers) are both good choices.

If you have access to an old 486 that's junk, you could build a NAT box with it. You just need a 486, usually 12-16Mb RAM is plenty, 2 NIC's, and a floppy drive, no hard drive is required.

Finally, you could get just a hub. Connect the modem to the uplink port, configure the server for internet sharing, set the workstations to get an IP from the server. Some ISP's don't work well with this setup, so what you have to do then is network the 3 with a hub, but instead of connecting the modem to a hub, connect it to a second NIC in the server.

[lwlim]

Hello,
I would suggest you getting a 5 port switch.It'll do the job ;)

[obyteme]

You can do NAT with Win2k server. Another option is to buy a cheap hub, run one NIC from your server to the Modem. Another to the Hub. Run the two workstations off of the hub, let your server do the NAT.