? ICS ?? and Router = Hub = Switch??

[TwoRails]

Hi All,

I've been researching ICS in an effort to do just that, ICS. (don't need to share files / printers.)

Microsoft's site states you can hook up Multiple computers to a Win 98SE machine by using a "hub". I already bought a Dlink Router #604, and I don't know if this is the same thing and / or if it will work or not????

As far as the steps to accompolish the task of running ICS, it seems to be more complicated than I hoped. Please help me if this basic outline is not right:

1) Install ICS on my main computer, and test to make sure my connection still works.
2) Install the second NIC in the main computer (I understand that my Internal DSL modem is also a NIC?), and test again.
3) Install NIC in system #2, but Not ICS. Test that machine for normal boot, etc.
4) Hook up the two with a CrossOver Cat 5 RJ45 wire and test.
5) Install router (or hub??) between the two, but now using 2 straight thru cables. And test again.
6) Install NIC in 3rd machine and Not ICS, and test...
7) Install straight thru cable from router to 3rd machine, and test.

8) and repeat steps 6 & 7 for up to two more machines with a 4 port router (hub?) if needed....

Thanks for any help !! I need it....!

TwoRails

[DrZaius]

Hi TwoRails,

If you have a router, you don't even need to bother with ICS. Just follow the instructions included with the router and you'll be able to easily share the net connection between all computers.

[TwoRails]

Hi DrZaius,

To make sure I understand: If I use a router, all I need is my Internal DSL modem and a NIC in my main machine, then just the router between it and the NICs in the other machines? And they don't need ICS to know how to talk to each other??

Wow, that's great!! maybe this will be easier than above after all !! (not to mention I don't want to install anything I don't need, like ICS or other software!) This has got me excited!!

Thanks!

TwoRails

[DrZaius]

Hi TwoRails,

Sorry, I didn't notice that you were using an internal modem, which is a problem. The router is made to work with external modems. You have two choices, you can either return the router and get a hub which is much cheaper, and go with the ICS solution you described above (which should work), or keep the router and see if you can get an external modem from your ISP (this would be the best solution).

[TwoRails]

Hi DrZaius,

Unfortunately, that is the root of my entire proplem! Besides being totally green to any kind of networking, I apparently can Not get an external modem for my DSL. It was discussed in a different post, but, if you don't mind, I'd like to breifly share some highlights with you:

1) My DSL company indicates that I have an outdated connection type called "CAP." To get the newer, and networkable connection, I'd have to upgrade. This is, of course, at an additional expense. (I'm "grandfathered-in" with my current connection at $19 mo. and have a Constant 640KB downstream speed. The higher priced version is an "up to" 640KB speed.)

2) DSL external modems are very hard to find. I contacted Speed Stream to see if their's are compatible, but they haven't answered yet...

3) My DSL company Forced me to use MSN for an ISP, and a) they state that MSN is Not networkable (also a different post), and b) here's the Catch 22: Because I'm not using them as an ISP, they couldn't send me an external modem, even if my system would work with it!!!

.

It's funny that all these years, my wife finally wants here own system, and I'm having much more trouble trying to share an Internet connection than I did with my very first build so many years ago.....

This has been frustrating and any suggestions, DrZaius, will be appreciated !!!!!!

Sincerely,

TwoRails

[bailey]

just add a nic to the main computer and the second computer, run ics on the main computer, confiqure the nic cards, make sure that the two computers see each other, then on the main computer check share this connection, it should all work fine.

use a cross over cable between the two computers.

[DrZaius]

Hi TwoRails,

Thanks for letting me know the situation. Looks like your only choice is to share the connection via ICS. Since you're only connecting two computers, you won't even need a hub or router, just do as bailey said and have a NIC in each system and connect them with a crossover cable. The system with the internal modem will be the gateway. Hope that helps.

[TwoRails]

Thanks DrZaius and Bailey,

I'll return the router, and get a hub because I'd like a spare build in the workshop with a connection (for Windows Update and the like). That would be 3 systems total.

I'll keep the three D-Link 10/100 Mb Fast Ethernet "Adapters" # DFE 530 TX + for the computers. I do assume these "adapters" are actually NICs (?)

Again, thank you for your time! !!!!

Signed, the once again happy TwoRails

[DrZaius]

I'll keep the three D-Link 10/100 Mb Fast Ethernet "Adapters" # DFE 530 TX + for the computers. I do assume these "adapters" are actually NICs (?)

Yep, those are network cards.

[bailey]

yes, they are the ones I use in the networks I set up.

[TwoRails]

Again, Thank You !!!!



TwoRails

[glc]

1. Make sure the internal DSL modem is working properly.
2. Install a NIC in all machines you want to share.
3. Connect all machines together with Cat 5 to a hub or switch (NOT a router).
4. Install Internet Connection Sharing on the machine with the DSL modem.
5. Either make the client configuration disk on the host machine and run it on the client machines -OR- set the TCP/IP properties on the clients to use DHCP.

Here is an excellent article on ICS.

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/ics

[TwoRails]

Nice link, glc ! And it's printable. http://www.practicallynetworked.com has some nice info, too, but it's not printable

About your step #5, is there a preferred way?? (I don't need file / print sharing, if that makes a diff.)

Thanks!!

TwoRails

[glc]

If you want a no brainer, try the disk method first.

[TwoRails]

Ya, glc, a no-brainer might be good for my first try at this stuff... The DHCP thing seems like more of a server situation and more advance than I am.... but I'm learning, slowly....

Thanks, glc!

TwoRails

[TwoRails]

Just an update:

I returned the router and the only thing they had by D-Link was a switch, not hub. I double checked with their head tech on duty that this was OK, and he said, Yes.

Then, when posting this, I noticed that glc said hub or switch -- I should have re-read this thread before I went to the store so I wouldn't have bothered asking the store's techie and standing in line to due so....

Hopefully, I'll get to work on this stuff next weekend! Wish me luck!!

TwoRails

[glc]

A switch is better than a hub, it allows full duplex. However, if you aren't going to be filesharing, it makes no difference whatsoever, even a 10 megabit half duplex cheap hub is faster than your DSL.

[TwoRails]

Hi glc,

Thanks for the reassurance! The D-Link switch is actually $10 cheaper than the NetGear hub they had do to a sale -- otherwise it would have been $10 more.

One thing about my life, it's always changing.... I'm going back on "extended" hours starting tomorrow, working the weekend, then on 13 hours / day starting the next week for an undetermined time frame.

I'll post back when I can on how "lucky" I got setting the ICS up...

Hopefully, I'll find time to do a little posting over in PC Hardware

TwoRails

[piasabird]

A router is designed to connect 2 networks or a LAN Local Area Network(House), and a WAN, Wide Area Network (Cable/DSL). If you only have one network it will not matter. A Router is in essence a Switch with added functionality. A router lets the Local network see the outside or wide area network. Additionally the wide area network only sees the router, as an IP number, and not the computers attached to it. People use this feature to hide their 3 computers from the Cable Modem people who want to charge you for an extra IP address.

In reality a router is a computer with and operating system of its own.

You could just buy a workgroup switch if you werent going to connect to a cable modem or DSL.

[TwoRails]

Hi piasabird,

All info is appreciated!!

TwoRails

[fvlmasl2]

Hey all...

When i turned my PC on last night(Host) i got the message in the task bar "network cable unplugged" i normally get this if my client pc is not turned on. This time in the task bar i got 2 pc's with an X through them. I turned on my client pc, and the 2 pc's with the X in my host pc's task bar were still there. Changed out nic card, no change. I tried to do a network repair, no luck. The network connection under control panal - work with network connections shows an X through that also.

Having said all that, i am thinking of throwing a W2K pc in this mix as well. My question is this, i am currently on dial-up but somewhere in the near future i will be going to cable. My network will consist of 2 XP Pro machines and 1 W2k machine what is the route i should be taking in respect to a hub, switch, or router. Keep in mind i will have dial-up for awhile.


Thanks
-fvlmasl2

(Host)
P4 - 1.6A Stock HSF
P4T-E (1005)
Artic Silver III
Samsung 256M
Win XP Pro
Sound Blaster Live 5.1
Creative Flash56 Modem Blaster
VisionTek Ti200 64M DDR
LinkSys NIC
Maxtor 60G ATA133 7200RPM
Toshiba 16X DVD-Rom
HP cd12ri (12x10x32)
HP 832C Inkjet
UMAX 3400 Scanner (USB)
Logitech WebCam Pro (USB)
Microsoft Explorer Optical Mouse (USB)
Network = Crossover Cable

(Client)
P3- 733 Stock HSF
TUSL2-c
Artic Silver III
Crucial 512
Win XP Pro
Sound Blaster PCI128
Hercules MX 400 32M
LinkSys NIC
Maxtor 20G ATA100 7200RPM
Network = Crossover Cable

[UncleS]

fvlmasl2 2 quick opinions.
Do you have pets? I have seen a friend of mine go crazy trying to repair a problem with his modem only to discover that his dog had chewed the line. Before going crazy replacing NICs make sure that the cable is good.
I would suggest just buying a cheap hub for now. Many cable modems come with integrated 4 port hubs. No reason to spend extra $$$ now if that option will be available.

[fvlmasl2]

Yes i do.....I got the issue resolved. It was weird, i had a Linksys LNE100tx nic card installed on the client pc, but under hardware it was showing a Linksys NC100. I tried to uninstall and it would not let me. I removed the nic card and it was still showing up under hardware. I called linksys they had me try some things, all failed to remove the entry from my hardware devices. I took matters into my own hands. I installed the LNE100 drivers and now the entry in hardware devices showed a "!" next to it. I was now able to uninstall. I put the LNE100TX back in the pc loaded the correct drivers and i am back in business. Weird don't you think?


-fvlmasl2