Where to begin with cable networking??

[Gypo77]

(I also postd this message under 'general' sorry for those who read this already).

I am about to get cable modem installed. Now I have another PC at home and I was wondering what is the best way to share the cable access.
Thing is I have heard about Sygate however apparently you need 2 ethernet cards on the cabled PC...but doesnt win98 only support up to 1 network card?
So is Sygate the best option here?..How bout Wingate??. I really prefer software over something like a router.
Summary:

a) I want to keep using WIN98 on both computers.
b) I want good pings in online gaming(for the other PC too).
c) I dont want my ISP to know that I'm sharing(i.e I need a single IP address?)
d) Security would be important but not crucial.
Please help cos Im so damn confused... http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/frown.gif(

[Storm90]

Win 98 will support more then one network
card.Yes sygate 4.0 and wingate are both good software.But I don't know of any that work like a router.Sygate4.0 is suppose to
be easier to use.About your pinging cant answer dont play games.It won't matter if
yourISP knows that you are shareing a single
IP.You are allowed as long as it is for personal use.Yes I would recommend a firewall
such as zonealarm orSygate firewall .They are
both free and work well. GoodLuck!

[dissident75]

How about using something like a software router..... its more flexible than proxy. Try Winroute From Tinysoft. Personally the 1 port linksys router is an exellent choice.

[wardo]

Go with the ugate 3000 can't beat it

[kramer]

ive used sygate, still am actually,it works fine, but it really slows down the connection
so if your gonna try any fragging, youd better be on the 2 network card computer (server)and dont try any quake3 with the wife on the other computer browsing ebay!
i ran it for a while, then i sucked it up and got the 2nd ip
ill bet you will too....

[WiK]

Using a hardware router is the best way. It does not hurt ping times as bad as it does using a proxy server. I have a Netgear RT311 that works great but I also turned and old 486 into a router that works the best. If you have an old computer with a floppy drive (no need for a hard drive) look into www.freesco.net (http://www.freesco.net) to build your own. Cost to me for one was...

old 486 free
floppy disk free
2 SMC NICs $25

I already had a 5 port switch and some cat 5 cables, so total cost of this router was $25 and about 20 minutes to set it up

[tidal]

yeah go with a hardware router... linksys is SOOO easy to use. you could do it blindfolded

check out www.buy.com (http://www.buy.com) for prices. they have the one port for $85!!

check out www.dvdpricesearch.com (http://www.dvdpricesearch.com) and look under coupons, they always have buy.com coupons