Newbie Networking

[IFAThrawn]

I have a netgear hub (FS105) and two SMC net cards (SMC1255XT) i also have a cable modem - i havent any idea about how to start setting this netwrok up, i have the cards installed and they are working - I just dont know what to do from here - and i dont want to shell out for a router or any more equipment unless absolutely necesaary. Any ideas?

[hoov]

Without buying a router you have 2 options:

1: Pay $5-$7 more per month for a 2nd IP.

setup: cable modem - hub - 2 pc's

2: get another nic card and put 2 in your main pc and run proxy software on there. There are free proxy softwares available.( www.analogx.com has one)

setup: cablemodem to 1 nic in main pc- the other nic to hub and the nic from 2nd pc to the hub

[aileron172]

Hoov's way will work. the second option proxy software will slow down the network. A router thrown into the mix will enable you to use the one ip static or dynamic that you ISP gives you, to let all your comp's access the net. Also if you do it Hoovs way make sure you have firewall software installed. With a router the NAT feature will do nicely:)


Oh and welcome to speedguide :) :)

[IFAThrawn]

Update:
1) i now have the basics of the lan setup - i can file share
2)I still cant conect to the net through the hub - but i still have to ring my isp to see if i need to get this feature enabled
3) Although i can file share i cant seem to play a lan game - ie when i set up a game i cant detect it over the network - any idea why?
4)Can i use a router with the hub - ie go 2 pcs, hub, router, modem?

[aileron172]

Answer to 4 Yes the router is made to fit seemlessly into the lan. What protocol are you using to file share? ie NETBEIU, TCP/IP?

As for sharing the net connection you need to do it Noov's way or get a router. I am assuming that you have the modem plugged directly into the hub? I have never done that but I realy don't see how that could work. But again I could be wrong it may well work with some kind of software.

[IFAThrawn]

Well what i am now doing is having the tow comps linked into the hub - and then the main comp linked via another NIC to the cable modem - i will then use some sort of net sharing tool - anyone know a good free one? As soon as i can afford it i will get a router - but until then i will use this setup - so i dont want to spend cash on an expensive piece of softare that i wont need when i get the router.
I believe i am using a tcp/ip connection - although i also have a NETBEIU protocol set up - but not actually doing anything - i can share files but not play games this way - any idea what i have to do to get the games to work over the lan?

[hoov]

A router is definitely your best bet. On sale I have seen them for near $50 after rebates. Netgear is the one I own and it works great.

For a free software proxy server go to www.analogx.com and they have one that I have heard works ok.

Sorry I never did any gaming so not much help here on that.

[BlackSword]

1. Microsoft ME comes with an ICS, I used it, worked well for me but later I decided to buy a router because it was a drag that the PC connected to the Modem always had to be on to gain access to the WEB, plus now I just leave the router and modem on all of the time so when my PCs boot up I am connected.

2. U should be able to play Lan games with TCP/IP or IPX, I have never had any problems playing a lan game,,,, what game are you trying to play?

[IFAThrawn]

i had major problems trying to get the two network cards going together and ive decided to get a router - however the best priced one i can find is the netgear rt311 for just under £100 - from dabs.com - i live in the uk - anyone know a cheaper router or somehwere to get them chaeply in england?

[BlackSword]

Originally posted by IFAThrawn
i had major problems trying to get the two network cards going together and ive decided to get a router - however the best priced one i can find is the netgear rt311 for just under £100 - from dabs.com - i live in the uk - anyone know a cheaper router or somehwere to get them chaeply in england?

You are correct in saying that setting up any ICS is more difficult than setting up a router,,, at least the Linksys that I have was so easy it would make your head spin.....

Additionally from other posts I have read about,,, in uk for routers you guys do pay more money for them for some reason. My one port Linksys cost me $80 canadian, that is like free considering the time it took to setup, in comparison to setting up ICS.

[IFAThrawn]

yeah the best i could get was £97 for a router (one that u have to use with a hub - but thatswhat i want as i now have a hub) Ill get the £97 one if i cant find another one.

[BlackSword]

Originally posted by IFAThrawn
yeah the best i could get was £97 for a router (one that u have to use with a hub - but thatswhat i want as i now have a hub) Ill get the £97 one if i cant find another one.

I actually use a 3COM 8 port switch,, but yes I like the fact of having them split up... probably no good reason for it but I like it. I guess the main reason is I could buy another router to try out and it keeps the cost low because I am not buying a internal switch with each router.