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General discussion

Connecting Two PCs and sharing Internet

May 20, 2005 11:47AM PDT

Hi,

Just a quick question on sharing Internet connection between two PC (running WinXP), I have already managed to connect my two PCs with crossover cable (peer to peer network I guess?), but whenever I need to get online, I'd have to unplug the crossover cable from my main PC and plug the DSL modem into the network card instead (because it only has one port).

My question is, how can I have two PCs hooked up and sharing Internet connection at the same time? Do I have to purchase an additional LAN card and plug my DSL modem into it while having the two computers connecting to each other? Is there another method that is better and more economic? Is using router a good choice? what about wirelss?

Thx.

Discussion is locked

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Bottomline?
May 20, 2005 12:27PM PDT

Get a router. Save yourself endless hours.

Bob

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what else besides a router?
May 20, 2005 4:14PM PDT

Besides getting a router, I also need ethenet cable, right? what else do I need?

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Do I need a Hub?
May 20, 2005 4:32PM PDT

Is a router the same as a Hub? I'm so confused about all the networking gear. If they are not the same then do I also need a Hub beside the router?

Thx.

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Start your education with this....
May 20, 2005 9:12PM PDT

tutorial. http://www.linksys.com/edu/

The only additional hardware you will need is a router and perhaps a CAT5 cable long enough to reach your second PC.

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Is Crossover cable ok?
May 21, 2005 3:31AM PDT

Thx for your reply.

I noticed at my local electornic store that they have different kinds of cables, Cat5, Cat6, Crossover, Ethernet, etc.

I already got a Crossover Cat6 cable to connect my two PCs, is that good enough?

Thx.

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(NT) (NT) Yes.
May 21, 2005 8:19AM PDT
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(NT) (NT) Get a switch.
May 21, 2005 8:21AM PDT
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check this link for more info
May 23, 2005 2:11AM PDT

I am also trying to set up a 2-pc home network with file sharing and internet access from both pcs. I found this link in a post on the Cnet digital music forum (should have been here). Check out his instructions, it explains a lot.

http://dvautier.home.comcast.net/office/office.htm

I will probably start out trying a hub and add a router later if I need it. I have everything hard-wired with internal ethernet cards on 2 Dell pcs, and followed the Dell network setup instructions. Just connecting the cable allows one-way internet sharing, but that's it. But at least I know that the connections are OK. From what I have read, you need 2 way communication with either a router or a hub.