Home Networking

[andrewp]

Hey Everyone,

I have a problem with my home network. currently i have a peer to peer network setup between my two home computers (both running win98 and using the TCP/IP protocal). Everything works great. However, i am purchasing a cable modem and i think that these require the use of a network card. so, if i do install the cable modem i will no longer be able to have a home network. Is there any way that i can still share files between my two PC's and have a cable modem at the same time? Would two NIC's work. thanks in advance.

-------also, sharing the cable modem between the two pc's is not needed. all i want to be able to do is share files between them. i only need to go on the internet with one of them. thanks.

[HAL9000]

You can go with 2 network cards in the one computer and have internet on the one, or run ICS and have it on both. You didn't mention if your computers were networked with a crossover cable or with a hub. If you have a hub, you can plug the cable modem into the hub instead of getting another NIC. Once again, it can be configured to access internet on one, or both computers.

[andrewp]

I am using a crossover cable to connect the two pc's.
In order to share the internet connection using the two NIC's in one computer how would i configure that (IP addresses, etc)? Windows 98 FE does not have ICS. thanks again.

[glc]

You would use a 3rd party sharing package such as Wingate, Winproxy, Winroute, or Sygate - or get a Linksys DSL/cable router which is also a network hub - and just plug both machines and the cable modem into it.

[Prader Willi]

I have a cable modem and I use one of those home network systems that use phonelines to share the internet connection (as well as a printer and files). System works great, a breeze to set up and have not had any problems-- no need for hubs and cables- and your home is already wired for it.

[mattssi]

Ok here,
I have a 98 machine, a 2000 machine and a NT machine (my work PC). I have 2 NIC's in the 2000 machine (I believe you need 98 2nd edition or 2000 to do this)..., 1 in the 98 and 1 in the NT. I bought a 5 port hub for $20 bucks. The cable modem (1 IP address) goes into one of the NICS of the 2000 machine. The 2nd NIC of that machine goes to the hub. Both of the other computers hook up to the hub also. (Uplink port is NOT used). In My network Places on the 2000 machine, right click on the card that is connected to the modem, select properties and the 'Sharing' Tab. Check 'Internet Connection Sharing for this connection'. It will take a few moments. Restart the computers and NOW, your other computers run through the 2000 machine and uses it's IP address to get to the internet. It works great AND you can still share files between each computer and everything.

You can use a hub by plugging the modem in the uplink port and then all of the computers in the other ports. The problem with that usually, is that the cable provider gives you 1 IP address which means, only 1 PC can go on the internet. My cable company, for example, charges $10/month extra for additional IP addresses. Not needed.

[Parangles]

After reading LawyerRons excellent recommended site -www.homepclan.com , I am thinking of going with a NIC in each of two machines, with 100 feet of Category 5 cable between them and a $99 Router connected (no hub neccesary if only 2 computers, they say) to the Roadrunner Cable Company box. Router is supposed to assign an extra (free) TCP/IP from the one you get from cable Co. and also eliminate need for extra NIC on the default gateway machine. Router also has firewall. NICs going through internal home telephone lines are supposed to be no good for internet cable transfer. Any thoughts on this setup?
I don't plan to add any more computors to the network.

[andrewp]

If i do what matssi did to netowrk his PC's and I only need to network 2 computers i can eliminate the hub and just use a crossover cable, right?
I also have a question about assigning IP addresses when only 2 pc's and a crossover cable are being used (no hub). Do i have to assign the IP's or can i attomatically asign IP address? the only way that i could get file/print sharing to work was to assign the IP.
Thanks Again

[mattssi]

You should be able to use a x-over cable w/ the one computer. Also, the machine that has the 1 nic card is set to obtain a IP address automatically. Just make sure you have Connection Sharing set up on the other computer and you should be set. With the hub set up I have, its great, anyone with any system can hook up to the hub and get on the internet right away, usually the defaul is to get an IP automatically........I dig it.

[andrewp]

Just upgraded to Windows ME on both of my PC's. Really not worth the money to upgrade from 98 if anybody was thinking about upgrading. But the main reason i upgraded was to get ICS. However, i can't figure out how to install ICS in win ME. Do i install ICS on both computers? or just the computer that connects to the internet?

[mattssi]

Just the computer with the connection.........

I don't know ME though, sorry.

[andrewp]

Thank you for all your help. I just have one more question. If i put Windows 2000 on my computer which connects to the internet and has two NIC's can i use windows 98 FE (which does not have ICS) and still share the internet connection?

[mattssi]

Yes, I have ICS on the 2000 computer with the 2 nic, etc.....

I have a NT, and 2 98 machines that connect to the internet via that computer......works out nicely.