Home network help needed...

[RIC_BARKER]

Hi guys,

I've been asked to set up a home network for a buddy of mine, and I want you guys to confirm I'm on the right track here.

Two laptop users want to share a single ADSL broadband connection, and both laptops have Network Adapters installed, and both are on WinXP.

My initial thoughts are that I can go out and buy a router with 2 or more ports, plug the ADSL line into that, and run the two laptops from the Network cables, is that right? Am I missing something?

Any suggestions as to how to do this would be great, the only thing is we can't go wireless. I'd like to hear from anyone that has done anything similar, and what they think of it.

Regards,

Ric B.

[ozzy72]

That should work fine Ric

[RIC_BARKER]

K, you sure, becuase I hate spending other people's money!!

[bm]

I hate networks!

Before I built the computer for sis I had a great network between two computers - one on ME sharing my new XP machine's broadband seamlessly!

So I when I got hers up and running I wanted that connected too so I added another network card to mine and thought that would be all hunky dory. But no! Its  completely buggared everything up!

I'm considering gettting in a pro!

O happy days.............
- Birdman

[bm]

PS. So I can't help! But its complete pot luck I reckon

[ozzy72]

Yup, as long as the machines are less than 150m apart (if memory serves), then one router should be more than sufficient for making the network.
Just be sure it comes with a full set of manuals and any necessary comms software, I once saw a friend try to work out a Spider Box without any stuff.... don't buy it cheap at the market

[RIC_BARKER]

Nice one Mark, cheers for the help there!

[Meyekul]

Birdman -

I think your problem lies in your IP addresses.  Each network adapter in your machine needs its own IP address, and as far as I know, the only way to get XP to use internet connection sharing is to have your local network adapter's IP set to 192.168.0.1.  So, when you have 2 cards, they cant both be set to 192.168.0.1.  What you need is a network hub or a router (routers are more expensive, but more versatile).  A small 4-port hub shouldn't cost over $20-$30 USD and would hook up to 3 computers to your XP machine.  If you need any help setting it up, PM me here or email me at [url]meyekul@hotmail.com[/url].

[bm]

I would give that a go - I'm just not sure how long their going to be next to each other. If I remove the extra card and just do one at a time will that work better with the ICS? I only need to connect her to enable Windows and update Antivirus etc. (that reminds me - only a couple of days left )

I'll give that a go anyway - thanks for the help!

[Meyekul]

The way I always set up ICS is like this:  

Hook the internet connection to the main machine, or the one you will be using online the most.

The network adapter that you plug your broadband into will be set for a dynamic IP address (your internet
provider will assign one).

The 2nd network card will hook your computer to a network hub or switch, and this one will be set to an IP of 192.168.0.1.

Then, just plug your other computers into the hub, set them for dynamic IP addresses, reboot, and you should be good to go.

Oh, and just in case you didnt know, you need a different type of cable to use a hub rather than plugging the computers directly together.  When you directly connect them (network card - network card) you need what is called a crossover cable, and with a hub you just need regular old cat 5 or 6 ethernet cable.

[Gixer]

Set your comp with XP as the one that connects to internet. Tell XP this when setting network up, it will then create a disk for you to put in all your other machines to set em up.

Of course you can do it all manually as I have done but for ease the XP network wizard isnt that bad.