Home network ideas

[Sameaddy]

Ok... I have 2 PC's I want to network in my home. I want to use a cable modem for both units. Here is a list of what i have to work with:
667 mhz Compag Presario
366 mhz HP Pavilion
1 linksys 10/100 5 port workgroup hub model EFAH05W with uplink feature
1 486/66 500meg hd (was thinking about making it a low budget server)

Both main computers have NIC cards (10/100)

I can only have one NIC card to talk with the cable modem. or so says the provider.

I am thinking of putting 2 nic cards in the 486/66 running Win NT. One nic to Cable modem...one to Hub.

The two main PC's will be hooked to the hub. What do you guys/gals think? Is there a easier way?

[DrZaius]

Hi Sameaddy,

There are two other ways you can network your computers that are easier:

Option one is to buy a Netgear or Linksys router. If you buy one without the built in switch (it's cheaper w/out) you can then use your hub too. It's very simple, just connect your modem to the router, router to the hub, connect each computer to the hub, and voila, internet for all (after configuring the router, of course.)

Option two involves using one computer as a gateway as installing ICS. Both can access the internet, but the main computer must be on and connected in order for the other to connect as well. You will need Win98SE or ME in order to use ICS, check out this site for more info and step-by-step instructions:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/ics/ics.htm

Of course, the true geek would build a router (like you suggested) and isntall Linux or NT, but it is more complicated (comparitively) and more prone to problems. Here are instructions on making a gateway/router/firewall out of an old computer:
http://www.zdnet.com/enterprise/stor...503199,00.html
http://www.geekextreme.com/reviews/routers1.shtml

If you want to save time, buy the router (around $100) or use ICS. If you want to save money build the router. Hope that helps.

[mairving]

NT would be out. NT requires at least a Pentium processor according to MS. I would hate to think how bad it would run on your system.

You could put Linux on it. Still your only option would be to use it as a router only.

Linuxrouter.org has some info on building a router using Linux.

[mosquito]

I had NT4 SP6 running on my 486 DX2 66 with 24MB memory just fine. (I used it as a proxy server)