Need advice on 2 pc networking

[NewbiePCuseR]

I have 2 pcs at home; one is a p2 266 and the other is a p3 700. I am currently using a cable connection, and i would like both of my pcs to have a LAN network as well as to share that cable modem. How do I go about doing this? I tried using a direct connection using 2 ethernet cards but my 2 motherboards are incompatible i think. My friend advised me to use a hub. However, i need some direction on using this hub. How should i connect it to the hub and then the 2 pcs? Also, are there hubs which support only 2 pcs?

[@homeinhell]

2 options..

1. Get a Cable/DSL Router (Linksys, Netgear, Cisco, ect.) with the multiport switch.
2 Get softwar like Wingate and 2 NICs (in the server). This will require a hub as well

[quickfoot]

No it wont.

Solution 1:

If you have a machine with 2 NICS you can setup something like wingate or if you have 2000 or ME you can configure Microsoft's ICS which is NAT.

You do NOT need a hub if you use this configuration, what you do need is 2 NICS in the pc with the cable modem and one nic in the other pc.

Then connect the cable modem to one NIC in the server machine and then connect the two computers with a cross over cable which you can get from almost any computer store.

The disadvantages of doing it this way is if the server computer crashes, is powered off, or is removed your other computer doesn't have Internet access.

The advantage is you have very little equipment to buy.

There are 2 other ways to do it.

Solution 2:

You will need 2 IP addresses for this method

Get a hub or switch and connect the cable/dsl modem to the uplink port of the hub.

Now connect both computers to the hub (be careful not to use the port right next to the uplink port because you can't use both at once).

Now simply configure each computer as if it had a direct connection to the Internet (giving each one one of your assigned ip addresses)

If you have @home they make it easy to get a second ip and it is $5 per month.

Solution 3:

Use a DSL/Cable firewall/router.

This solution allows you to use one IP address, have a form of firewall, and not be dependant on your other computer being on to use the Internet.

D-link and Linksys have good models, the way it works if you plug your cable/dsl modem into the router then the router into your hub or switch.

If you don't already have a hub you can save some money by getting the model of router that has a built in switch. With this model just plugin the cable/dsl modem to your router and then plug your computers into the onboard switch.


---------

Only method 1 requires that the computers have a crossover cable, the other two methods require normal cat 5 lan cables which you can buy at almost any computer store.

If you need more help just let me know.

------------------
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

FreeBSD - The Power To Serve (http://www.freebsd.org)

[@homeinhell]

Why even offer up an Idea like a x-over cable? It limits the expandabilty of the network. The odds of finding on at a local best buy or circuit city are slim to none. If you did happen to find one you will pay as much as a 4 port hub would cost for it. Do not assume that everyone has the same kind of access to wholesale parts that you or I might have. A 20ft cable (non x-over) retail can cost up to 25 bucks around here, a 4 port netgear hub (with 2 6ft cat-5 cables) 35 bucks.

[twwabw]

What's wrong with that? Quickfoot only offered it as one of three solutions to his question. And it IS a solution. I just bought a 50' x-over for a guy to connect 2 PC's in his shop, that will never expand beyond what it is. It was a logical solution. And the cable cost me $ 10.80.


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by @homeinhell:
Why even offer up an Idea like a x-over cable? It limits the expandabilty of the network. The odds of finding on at a local best buy or circuit city are slim to none. If you did happen to find one you will pay as much as a 4 port hub would cost for it. Do not assume that everyone has the same kind of access to wholesale parts that you or I might have. A 20ft cable (non x-over) retail can cost up to 25 bucks around here, a 4 port netgear hub (with 2 6ft cat-5 cables) 35 bucks.</font>

[glc1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by twwabw:
And it IS a solution. </font>I agree, as that is what I used when I had only two computers on my LAN.

BTW, your blowing the cost and lack of availability out of proportion. The cost is about the same as patch cable and they are readily available at major computer stores--Best Buy, Fry's, etc. They can probably be found along side the patch cables even. http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by glc1 (edited 01-05-2001).]

[NewbiePCuseR]

Erm... I'm kinda new to this networking stuff do i don't really know what the abbreviations stand for. What's a NIC? And how do i make use of wingate to network my 2 pcs?

[NewbiePCuseR]

By the way, do different generations of motherboards conflict with each other when a 2 pc network is set up?

[Storm90]

Two different mother boards should not matter. My son uses I different mother board then me . We have been hubed for fours years now. You can either hub wich only requires 1 Fast ethernet 10/100 Pc card(nic) in each computer. Or you can go the software route wich requires two nics in the host computer. Or you can use a router. In all in what you want to spend. I have seen kits you can buy for hubing your computers with complete instrutions on how to do this. They very in price to. Like I said It depends on what you want to spend. If you choose to go the hub way you can use software or purchase a extra IP. I myself perfer the extra Ip because I use a switch/hub , Plus I get better speeds that way on both computers and neither one has to be the host. So if mine is not on my son can still run his. If you choose to hub and do not understand you can email me if you want help!

[This message has been edited by Storm90 (edited 01-06-2001).]

[glc1]

NIC = network interface card

[NewbiePCuseR]

So can i just link the cable modem to a hub and then from the hub link out 2 cables to each of my pcs? Will that affect the bandwidth of my connection? My friend also told me that i would have to use one pc as a server, and i don't know how to do that....

[glc1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by NewbiePCuseR:
So can i just link the cable modem to a hub and then from the hub link out 2 cables to each of my pcs?</font>The only way this will work is if you lease more IPs, if available, form your provider.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by NewbiePCuseR:
Will that affect the bandwidth of my connection?</font>Regardless of the internet connection sharing method used, you will be sharing bandwidth. Thus, the more computers simultaneously using the connection, the more the bandwidth will be compromised.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by NewbiePCuseR:
My friend also told me that i would have to use one pc as a server, </font>Or use a router, or lease more IPs.

[This message has been edited by glc1 (edited 01-06-2001).]

[Storm90]

If you use a switch/hub and two Ips. Neither computer has to be a server.As far as bandworth. There is not much loss. I have been set up this way for four years now. My son runs about the same as mine goes for speed. Just a little loss not much. Hope this helps you with what you want to know! The only reason I use this setup is so I do not have use mine as the server, If Mine is not on . He can still use his.

[This message has been edited by Storm90 (edited 01-06-2001).]

[glc1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Storm90:
Just a little loss not much. </font>That's not always the case. If everyone is just browsing the web, there probably won't be noticeable performance decrease. However, if everyone is gaming or downloading large files, there will be a very substantial performance decrease. Again, it depends on what everyone is doing, how many computers are online, and the amount of bandwidth that the connection has to begin w/.

[Loch-nar]

The easiest way to set up a 2 computer LAN is to just go with a home network kit which contains a hub, UTP cable w/ rj-45 connectors, retails for ~50-90$ at circuitcity/bestbuy. this will build your LAN for games, etc. But to share a cable modem, you need 2 isp's, which in most cases will cost extra on your monthly internet charge. I have heard of some companies offering 2 isp's for the price of one, but haven't discovered any yet.

------------------
If we were granted half of our wishes, our troubles would double.

[Storm90]

Thats true glc 1, But I have not had that much of a notice sense useing a switch. I do more surfing then downloading. My son does most of that and it does not bother me. It all in what he plans on doing. For me its a great due to I do not have to use mine as the server. In other words if I don't ever turn mine all day . He can still use his with no problem. So it depends on what he wants from it and on what he does as to which way he goes as far as shareing connection . Plus on what he wants to spend. I was just giveing him and Ideal of how mine worked thats all. With all he has heard now he should be able to decide whats best for him.

[NewbiePCuseR]

Oh ok, then i think i'll get that $50 5 com hub i saw the other day, then i'll link my 2 pcs together. There won't be any software configurations to be done, will there? These things give lotsa headaches.

[Storm90]

You will need to setup there network protocols the same on each machine and give them the same workgroup. But give them sperate names. Make sure you install Client for Microsoft Network and file and printer shareing for Micrsoft network. Plus NetBEUI protocol if you plan on shareing files. Plus make sure your drives enable for shareing. Plus if you don't get a extra Ip then you will need a software program or if you have win98se you can use ICS in it. You can also install IPX/SPX for gameing if you want. I use it for my file shareing cause it speeds it up. But that is up to you.Plus for safety. Run a good firewall and unbind Fileand printer shareing for microsoft network and client for microsoft network from the TCP/Ip Protocol.

[Martiangod]

Hey NewbiePCuseR
How ya doin, cunfused yet?
You could go to many sites such as www.winproxy.com (http://www.winproxy.com) or wingates site. They are software sites for networking PC,S. There are many more but these are the two I am familiar with. I know within Winproxy's site they have a good screen shot, buy screen shot tutorial on the settings you will need to make in order to get your home network up and running once you have installed the home netwoking kit.
These sites also provide demo software you can download and the purchase price on many of these pieces of software for three user licenses is pretty good.
Hope I dont sound like i'm advertising but "Way back when the earth was green and there were more kinds of animals than you ever seen." and I was a Newbie to this home networking my particular experience setting up a Winproxy went flawless, therefore improving my experience with sharing and internet sharing.
Nothing worse than jumping into a nightmare when your new at it, really ruins the experience...
Nad welcome to the world of networking and reboot, reboot , reboot ....lol

------------------
In a plastic world I'm feeling a little tarnished!!!

[NewbiePCuseR]

well i guess i won't be able to share my cable connection between my 2 pcs cos i called my isp and they told me its illegal. So here i am again with another question: can i set up just a lan via a hub? Cos i figured that i won't be needing 2 connections as i could use one comp to download the stuff i need and just send it over via lan

[thorn1968]

Some ISP's claim that this is illegal. Others who once claimed this are now jumping on the sharing band wagon by selling additional hardware (if you can't beat 'em, join em). Who is your cable provider and how do you log in? Don't post any passwords or anything! Just give us a general idea.

[NewbiePCuseR]

Well erm, im using the Singapore Cable Vision modem, and i log in by just turning on the modem power switch =P

[NewbiePCuseR]

Well, erm im using the Singapore Cable Vision service provider, and i login just by turning on my cable modem....

[thorn1968]

Did they assign a name to your computer in the network properties? With the @home service they assign a name like C12345. They use that name to validate you on their network. Do ou have a static IP or dynamic?

[NewbiePCuseR]

erm im not sure what you're talking about but i don't think they did, cos everytime i turn on my modem my ip is different....

[Martiangod]

If you run a proxy server setup they only see one computer connecting and only allocating 1 IP to you. If you can run multiple browsers on one pute then it is no different to them if you run multiple comps as long as it is through 1 IP, hence the need for a proxy server. There are many inexpensive or free proxy's out the. But you will need two NICS installed on the proxy machine.
Easy as 1 2 3 http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/smile.gif)
Only thing you wont get is support from your ISP for a LAN setup.

------------------
In a plastic world I'm feeling a little tarnished!!!

[NewbiePCuseR]

Hmm now i only want to have a lan, its no longer necessary to have internet connection for both my pcs. How do i go about doing this? Can i just link my 2 pcs via a hub? And if i can do this then will there be any software configurations to do? Pls advise....

[thorn1968]

There is some minor software configuration you need to do. You will need to make sure that both computeres have Client for Microsoft Networks installed. You will need to make sure that you have installed the TCP/IP drivers for each LAN card. Once you have all that done you will need to set both computers to have similar IP addresses and the same sub net. For example:

PC 1
IP 192.168.1.1
Sub Net 255.255.255.0

PC 2
IP 192.168.1.2
Sub Net 255.255.255.0

Then you can share a printer or files by enabling file and print sharing.

[youbecha]

Man there is a lot of info flying in this thread.

Begin Long Post

Basics. To share resources between two or more computers you have a lot of choices. You can run a parallel cable, carry floppy disks around, or build a network.

This thread has been covering all sorts of ways to build a network and share the internet on that network.

The best choice (effort vs time vs expandability and reliablility) seems to be the standard network card and 'Cat5' cable system. A pair of $9 network cards and a chunk of 'Cat5' cable is the min setup.

The discussion about crossover cables vs hubs is because the cable uses some wires for transmit, and some for receive. If the transmit wires from both computers are hooked up to each other, then they won't receive. So a crossover cable, or a hub will swap those wires so that everything works.

You can make a crossover cable, you can make one of those 'cat5 to cat5' connectors into a crossover box. Or spend $30 and buy a hub for future expandability.

Okay so they are hooked up now. If you are using win98 or winME networking is easy, and Internet sharing is easy. The 'wizards' do all the work (especially with ME), it may take a few reboots before everything is lined up, but I have pleasantly surprised.

The TCP/IP protocol allows the Internet connection sharing, and some other advanced features. NetBeui protocol makes file sharing and access like that easy (including printer sharing I think).

Here are some good links to answer all your????

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/lan.htm

http://www.johnscloset.net/

http://www.homepclan.com/crcable.htm

http://www.homepclan.com/intro.htm

http://www.kan.org/networking/crossover.html

Long Post End

------------------
http://www.geocities.com/mr_bubba_zanetti/