Cable modem +sharing connection

[archie]

At the moment, 3 computers are set up on a Win98 peer-to-peer network in the same room sharing internet connection using external dial-up modem.
I'm getting cable [no other options available] and want to continue to share internet connection.
Main PC is AMD K6-2 500MHZ with 128MB RAM Win98SE
Weekest one is Pentium 100MHZ with 40MB RAM Win98FE

1-Would there be any disadvantages in speed if setting up the weeker computer as the 'proxy server'.
[need to know where to run cable and drill hole in floor]
2-With dial-up, AnalogX Proxy was used [prefer not to use ICS, Wingate or Sygate]. Can this same type of software still be used?
3-Novell 4.1 could be setup on that weeker computer if it is used as the 'proxy server'. Can that be done? Is that worth considering?
4-Is 'proxy server' the right terminology?

Your advice and tips are appreciated.

[glc]

I would personally look at getting a Linksys router. Go ahead and let them set up whichever computer you want - speed should not be an issue here. You will have to take the designated computer off the network, possibly pull the NIC, and disable file and print sharing before they will touch it anyway. I see no reason why you couldn't use proxy software instead of a router. My favorite is Winroute Pro, but it costs as much as a router. Novell would be a can of worms.

[archie]

Thanks G for the reply ... has for getting a router, while it is not out of the question, my hope was to not spend extra $ for this setup. It would be something to be considered if the cost warrants the benefits that it may provide. All of this is new to me and a router is not something that had even been considered to date. My knowledge of these puppies is next to nothing except for my impression that they may cost more than I plan to spend.
In this setup, the configuration will be done by myself. I really don't like for someone else to touch my PC and want to learn this setup to understand how it all works. The cable guy will be coming next sunday and bring the line from my basement to the office, drop off the modem, provide written instructions and that's it. My plan is to do the rest and I look forward to the challenge. As for Novell, if it can be done, I would like to give it a shot. I am fairly familiar with it [am more familiar with Novell 4.11 [have CNA certification - the minimal Netware cert., and have minimal exposure to 5.1] and if such a setup is possible, would like to give it a go ... partly because this will allow me to learn it better and I have a lot of patience when it comes to stuff like that [up to a certain degree ]. As far as I understand, with Novell 4.1, should this option be chosen, the long.nam module and the patch for Y2k would be required. Just not sure if this can/should be done. Should this option be chosen, I realize that the third computer will no longer be available to get on the internet ... no biggie, as there is another P166 with 64MB RAM or 486 DX4-100 with 32MB RAM available [the 3rd PC has minimal software and is only used when the two others are not available ... rather infrequently.]
From what I gather so far [correct it if this is wrong] ...
1-if the weeker computer is set up as a proxy server, there will not be a drop in connection speed
2-DUN proxy software will work just as well for cable

[archie]

3-Just realized that the software will be for Win98 so it looks like the Novell plan is a no go.
From what I understand of the wiring, the proxy server will need two NICs ... one to the hub for the current network and one to the modem, using straight-thru UTP. The modem will likely go on the main computer after all.

[mairving]

Archie,
I would still give my vote for the router. You can get a 1 or 4-port version. They cost $99 & $149. It gives you a lot of flexibility. For one it doesn't tie up one of your PC's as a proxy server. Setup is pretty easy also. As far as it only running on Windows 98 that is untrue. That is all that the cable company will support(is familiar with). They really don't have any special software that they use. When they came to put in my cable, I was running Linux. The tech said he couldn't setup cable on Linux, so I rebooted into Windows 98. Later I set it up in Linux pretty easily. My cable company (Roadrunner) uses a pretty simple setup. You setup TCP on their network card to use their DNS servers and it is a go.

[Omletteboy]

On a P100, you might see some bog down, but since you have 2 other computers it won't really affect it.

Before I had a P200 computer as a proxy server, dual nics, one stright thro' cat 5 to the cable modem and one straight thro' cat 5 to the hub. I had 4 computers to the hub, speed was very good. I use Sygate as the proxy software.

Now I got my K6-2 500 128 meg ram using win2k, dual nics and using M$ ICS for proxy.

Much cheaper than a router since it cost $250 CAD or more for the linksys, of course a router is better but if money is an issue.....

10/100 nics cost $18 CAD each
5 port hub cost $45 CAD
50' Cat 5 cost $20 CAD
So less than $100 CAD

[archie]

A router is not out of the question just yet. I've just been reading about the benefits of using one [mainly addressing security issues] and perusing some reviews of both the Linksys BEFSR11 [1 port] & BEFSR41 [4 port] and the Netgear RT311 & RT314 (router/switch)... the Netgear seems to be more to my liking but doesn't appear to be readily available. If I don't go that way [router], all of the other equipment that is needed is there now. Decisions decisions. Tying up the main computer as proxy server is not a big issue here ... the main PC will always be used before the others if it is available ... however, if I understand this correctly, with a router, internet access would still be available to all the computers on this network if the main PC is to go down or not even powered on.

Linksys BEFSR11 - EtherFast 1-Port Cable/DSL Router http://www.pccanada.com/ $150
http://www.futureshop.ca/ $200

Linksys BEFSR41 - EtherFast 4-Port Cable/DSL Router http://www.pccanada.com/ $235
http://www.futureshop.ca/ $330

[mairving]

Yes, you understand it correctly. With the router your server could be down and you could still connect to the internet. I didn't realize you Canadians paid so much more for goods. Also if you really wanted to have fun, check here to make your own router: http://www.linuxrouter.org

[beemer]

I would suggest using Linux. I am using a Linux box that provides the services of a router, NAT, DNS, DHCP, Web, FTP, and SAMBA (Windows Sharing). All this is running on a Pentium 133 with great performance and FREE! It is pretty strait forward to setup especially with the new versions of Linux.

There are also flavors of Linux that fit on a floppy and do not require any hard disks installed. If you have an old 486 laying around, you can boot off the floppy and create a router, NAT, DHCP. Furthermore, the performance is great. One product is called Share-The-Net.

[archie]

Thanks for the suggestions. Right now, it's between setting up the main Win98 PC as a proxy server or using a router. BTW, I stopped by the FutureShop store and not only did they sell the Linksys BEFSR41 for $30 less than the price listed on their website, they also had the Netgear RT314. Kind of nice seeing these items in person ... even had my paws on them. I do prefer these solutions [proxy server on main PC or using gateway router] partly because there are a lot of power failures in my neighbourhood and I only have one UPS.
For starters, the plan is to set up one PC with the modem, then set up the others using the proxy software and consider other options after this is used for a while. It may very well be all that is needed here.

[Raptor22]

Get the linksys router!!!
here is a link to the four port model which i have.
http://www.computers4sure.com/produc...9965&catid=237

Its also the easiet solution to set up. $130 after rebate.

TRUST ME YOU WILL THANK ME LATER

[archie]

Just an update about the setup ... I went for the software solution. The second network card was added to the main PC, the cable modem plugged in and software installed. The proxy software was already setup and nothing more had to be done to get that part going.