Network pros needed!!

[Accord Man]

So here's the deal.

I want to split my cable connection to 2 computers.

If I do it with a hub, then I need to have a host, correct?

& if i do it with a router then there is no need for a host correct?



Lets say I'm correct, I'll probably go with a hub setup (cause a router is 100$ more..) now what software do I need to setup a host computer? does it suck ram like crazy? Any ups ord downs to this (other that requiering the host to be on)?

I know I could do it with a 3rd networking card and a Y cable, but I dont like this setup.. prefer going hub.




Any comments would be appreciated..


RR I know this is your field, so show me what you're made of!!




Thanks!

[Racing Rice]

You just want to connect 2 computers in the same room? Is this a windows network?

oh wait.. Your talking about cable modem right??

Connect them that way or use a hub or switch. Shouldnt be a problem. Have the router as the uplink.

[94_AcCoRd_EX]

I did this last year w/ a cable connection.

I purchased a hub, and some more ethernet cable. Simply split the connection coming out of the modem through the hub to both computers. The only this is, if you want a new IP for the second computer, AT&T charged me $4/month. If you don't care, you should be able to hook it right up.

[Accord Man]

Sorry I wasnt clear enough.


2 regular computers (1 runs on win98, other on win 2000 Pro)


Currently the internet(cable) is on 1 computer (the win2000)

I want to be able to access the internet from the other computer also.. It's in another room.

I want to be able to use both computers at the same time to surf the net.. (well the other one is for my kid brother.)


I listed my options in the first post..

But what do you think?

[Racing Rice]

My friends are using RoadRunner, and They just hooked the Router (cable modem) upto the hub in the uplink port, then connect the 2 computers to the hub. May take some playing with the settings and stuff to get to work.

[94_AcCoRd_EX]

Originally posted by Racing Rice
My friends are using RoadRunner, and They just hooked the Router (cable modem) upto the hub in the uplink port, then connect the 2 computers to the hub. May take some playing with the settings and stuff to get to work.

Yeah, that's what I was trying to say. It worked well actually.

[Racing Rice]

Or Link Sys has a cable modem witha 4 port switch built in.Link Sys 4 port Cable Modem

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by 94_AcCoRd_EX


Yeah, that's what I was trying to say. It worked well actually.

They were have a problem trying to connect 3 PC's at the same time, when the Third person connected 1 of the other 2 got kicked off, Im not sure if it was a problem with their setup or if Road runner only allows for 2 DHCP connections.

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by 94_AcCoRd_EX
I did this last year w/ a cable connection.

I purchased a hub, and some more ethernet cable. Simply split the connection coming out of the modem through the hub to both computers. The only this is, if you want a new IP for the second computer, AT&T charged me $4/month. If you don't care, you should be able to hook it right up.

huh really??

Because All the computer geeks over here told me that if I use a hub, then the A (host) needs to be on so that B can surf...

I dont care for a second IP...


I think the confusion is this.. A hub, is like a 50$ splitter.
A router is a 150$ splitter (with extra capabilities, not sure what exactly).. The 2 are not the same.

Do you guys get this, or am I still too confusing?!

[Accord Man]

And with that setup, can I use both computers at the same time?

[Accord Man]

Oh and is there a need for a host?


Or just plug it in and surf??

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by Accord Man
And with that setup, can I use both computers at the same time?

The hub is the cheapest way to do it..

The advantage a switch has over a hub is that theres no bottle neck comng out of the Switch to the PC like a hub has.

I hub shares one pipe and can cause slow downs.

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by Accord Man
Oh and is there a need for a host?


Or just plug it in and surf??

Your host will be your cable provider, you should just plug and play

[94_AcCoRd_EX]

I used a HUB, not a router, and I'm 99% sure my computer didn't have to be on, and it wasn't a host. You split the connection right out of the modem to each computer, so they basically are seeing the same thing.

RR does this make sense to you? I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty good with computers.

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by 94_AcCoRd_EX
I used a HUB, not a router, and I'm 99% sure my computer didn't have to be on, and it wasn't a host. You split the connection right out of the modem to each computer, so they basically are seeing the same thing.

RR does this make sense to you? I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty good with computers.

yeah.. your hub will do the information sending.. If you have a computer off then itll probably just make that one machine alittle faster.

[Accord Man]

You know guys, I swear thats exactly what I thought..

But the computer freaks told me otherwise. Well F*** them. I'll try with a hub, and if it doesnt work well I'll just run it with a host like they say.


This is the hub I wanted : Click here!!

Seems ok right?

[94_AcCoRd_EX]

It wants me to enter a Canadian postal code, and I can't guess one that works even though they show the format. What's a code to type in?

[Accord Man]

try h3b2z1

[Accord Man]

if not i'll PM you.

Save yourself the problems and use a router, Just go out and buy the $150 linksys 4 port router. The router will act as the compter that your cable company sees. (Make sure that the router is set to recive its information automaticly, you only should have to input the Computer name. the host name doesnt matter. it could be "thanks for the internet" as long as you give it the computer name.) Set up the DHCP client in the router, and give a range of like 192.168.1.5 - 192.168.1.10 then set the Win2k and the other PC to obtain an IP adress automaticly. Then you should be off to the races

If you go with a hub, your going to have to buy another IP adress from your cable company, which cost more, or go with a program like Lan-bridge, which many of my clients tried and let me tell you that the software just keeps crashing or causes to many errors over time. There is no replacement for a good old router ::

If you want to have both PCs see each other on the network, remember to log into the 9x machine with the same username and password as someone in the Administrator group, from the Win2k machine. If you forget to do this they wont see each other across the network. Or wont have proper rights to move files, play games and such.

Good luck, if you need anything else just drop me a line :sleep:

J

[Accord Man]

ok thanks Raver..

I hate to admit it, but I think you're right!!

Damn its gonna cost me 100$ more tha planned.



I'm going to reflect long and hard on the matter.

If I need help, I will let you know!!


I may also go with a "3 card/ crossover cable" setup..

Thanks for confirming.. I've been scouring the net all day to try and get an answer!

Trust me on this Dont do with the cross over cables.
If you need anything just drop me an e-mail or AIM me.

J

[94_AcCoRd_EX]

Like Raver X said, if you can afford a router go with it, otherwise, that link you gave to the hub works fine. That is how I set up my connection, and you should buy the extra IP. Like I said before, around $4-$5/month.

[ebpda9]

well i have DSL and what i did to share the internet connection with my brother is i bought another NIC, setup a proxy server(sambar server 5.0) on my win2kpro pc and setup the ip's manually. the only dynamic ip is the one that earthlink gives me when i dial up. The router will be the way to go.

[ebpda9]

here is something worth looking into:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=S248-1066%20P

if u need to dial this is the best one:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...p?sku=X07-1000

I tried using a hub, and it only let one computer on at a time. It sucked.

Originally posted by hondaman-iac
setup a proxy server(sambar server 5.0) on my win2kpro pc and setup the ip's manually.

That also works, the only problem with that, is that your computer has to be on all the time. If your computer is off or if your computer locks, so does your Proxy server, and then your bro is S-O-L. On top of that your computer becomes a bottle neck for your brother, if you are using a program or doing something that requires alot of the computers resourses, your brothers connection speeds will suffer. :o


J :sleep:

[ebpda9]

Originally posted by Raver X


That also works, the only problem with that, is that your computer has to be on all the time. If your computer is off or if your computer locks, so does your Proxy server, and then your bro is S-O-L. On top of that your computer becomes a bottle neck for your brother, if you are using a program or doing something that requires alot of the computers resourses, your brothers connection speeds will suffer. :o


J :sleep:

i don't care. anyway my computer is on at all the times. About resources ? amd k6-2 500 (ouch) with 512 mb ram. I think that's enough. Most of the times 384 megs of ram are free. On win 2k never had a lock in ages. Just for checking email he is fine.

[94_AcCoRd_EX]

Originally posted by Lovebuzz13
I tried using a hub, and it only let one computer on at a time. It sucked.

You needed to get another IP and set it up on the other computer and they would have worked simultaneously.

[Accord Man]

Thanks a bunch fellas!!

I thought about it nad here's what I will do..

I'm 99% sure I'll go with the router setup. Much more convenient that proxy server thing..

I mean its 100$ more, so what.. Thats what I spend on a friday night. I guess I just needed to straighten my priorities.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...u=l48-1150%20p

That same hub, is 150$ CAD.. which is like 98$ USD...

Oh well..


Ok so I just plug and play? Or do I need to set Ip's and stuff?!


Anything to look for, when shopping for a router? Or anything models to avoid?

Originally posted by hondaman-iac


i don't care. anyway my computer is on at all the times. About resources ? amd k6-2 500 (ouch) with 512 mb ram. I think that's enough. Most of the times 384 megs of ram are free. On win 2k never had a lock in ages. Just for checking email he is fine.

I was simply letting him know all his options and letting him know the ups and downs of both :: Sorry if I offended you or anything


J :sleep:

[Accord Man]

Is a switch any good??

Cause there's this kit for an amazing price..

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...CF6AE628510064

OK, i'm to lazy to look through the rest of the posts, but i better as hell know how to do this because i'm going to school for my microsoft network egineering certification MCSE. I would suggest you stay AWAY from hubs, they are un reliable and jam. Instead get a switch. Much better. Doing the hub/switch and only the cable modem. you will need NAT software. Some work and some don't. I used to use All Aboard and that worked, but none of these are reliable. If i were you, compusa and best buy alyways have sales on LinkSys 4 port Routers for like $79.99. That eliminates your hub it's got a switch onboard. Then from just plug the cable modem into the WAN port and all the computers into 1-2-3-4 ports. turn em on bada bing bada boom. Now if you wanna get into more stuff, email me at BClaps@twcny.rr.com or Aim me at S10XtremeNSlamed.

Thats all there is to it ;]

[Accord Man]

Thanks Brandon..


I wish I lived in the states.. I'd get stuff for so much cheaper.

I'm probably going with the router option..


A little more expensive.. but worth it in the long run.





Thanks again fellas!

::

[Addict]

Here's a couple of options.

1. Software Proxy
You can just use a network card in each PC along with a hub. WinGate makes some very good and very easy to use software for this. The software is usually only about $30 US. The disadvantage is that the "host" computer needs to be on for everyone else to access the internet.
WINGATE

2. Hardware Router
This is more expensive but the main advantage is that there is no computer that acts as the proxy so you don't need to leave any computers on. This is also a quicker method. So if you do any gaming or heavy downloading this is the best option.
LinkSys

Basically a hub is a hub. They aren't intelligent. Meaning that they do no processing on their own. So a cheap $40 hub is sufficent.

Without going into details about routers, the basic LinkSys router will do the trick. Routers can be very complex and I have a limit on the amount of letters I can squeeze into this post. The one above will allow you to add more computers later on. It normally runs about $150 US. I have the wireless version and I'm very pleased with it. The setup is very user friendly.

[Accord Man]

Thanks Civic_Addict !!


Are SMC products respectable?? I've read nothing but good about them, plus their routers are a little less expensive thant linksys..




Oh and anything I need to watch out for when shopping for a router?

[Addict]

Originally posted by Accord Man
Thanks Civic_Addict !!

Are SMC products respectable?? I've read nothing but good about them, plus their routers are a little less expensive thant linksys..

Oh and anything I need to watch out for when shopping for a router?

Yes SMC is a good company. They've been around for a long time. I have a couple of the network cards and haven't had any issues with them.

As far as routers go, if you don't see yourself hosting a web site or anything like that, a less expensive one will get the job done. Make sure you see how you have to set it up. LinkSys is web based meaning you use your web browser to set it up. I'm not sure what SMC uses but I can't imagine that its anything real difficult. Just ask the sales person or SMC.

Good luck

Speakin of the MCSE, I just finished my 2000 track :P

Its on to my CCNA


J

[Accord Man]

Alright!

Thanks again!!

[ebpda9]

i bough a router today and the install took me like 3 seconds. it works fine, but i hace some problems using mIRC