DavidLewis

Although in IT, PC's aren't my thang.

I'm looking at upgrading my kids PC's and will want to connect the 2 via a hub and then connect the hub to our Telewest Broadband cable modem so that both PC's can talk to each other AND both gain internet access via the the cable modem.

Both PC's will run WindowsME (unless anyone feels that XP is better )

What do I need to consider???

Thanks

super_si

Xp is a must

Ive got 3-4 pcs all sharing my broadband.

All they need ,

1) Hub / i have 4 port router
2) Ethernet card each
3) Patch cable.(Think a hub needs that aswell)

Si

dsmith

Personally think you're better off with a hardware router/firewall to connect multiple PCs. Its saves having to have one of the PCs on all the time.

You *need* some sort of firewall to protect your PCs from nasty little script kiddies. (Either software on the PC sharing the connection or on the router).

Have a look at Broadbandbuyer who do a variety of all-in-one switches/routers/firewalls. e.g. Netgear RP114.

Choice of OS is personal but ME has a bad repututation. I'd go for 2K or XP.

Deano

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Hi David,

I bought a hub/DSL router from PC World (not the cheapest, but I wanted it there and then!)

All PC's need a network card (about £10 each), some CAT5 cabling (I have a reel, connectors and crimpers in the garage, which you can borrow) and the router.

When they set up the cable modem, they used the MAC (unique hardware) address of the network card in your machine. Most DSL routers can spoof the same MAC address.

Then just plug in all the cat 5 cabling and you're done.

Any probs, give me a call!
Andy

DavidLewis

Thanks for the call Andy, top man.
Just gotta go out and buy it all.......then expect a phone call

suba

a DSL router is the way to go if you wanna share the broadband connection so that you dont need a "host" PC to be on all the time to do the sharing.

depending how powerful/spec your kids PCs are, you might be better off with ME.XP might be all singing and dancing OS but if it runs like a dog on "not so powerful" PC, then no point using XP.

as with always-on internet connection, firewall software is a must. two other stuff i suggest you need as well is anti-virus and anti-spyware.

have a look at the follwoing URL...

>> firewall
www.zonealarm.com
www.sygate.com
www.kerio.com

>> anti-virus
housecall.antivirus.com
www.grisoft.com

>> anti-spyware
www.safersite.com
www.lavasoftusa.com

dsmith

"a DSL router " - not if you have cable. No need to pay for a DSL port you're not going to use.

suba

ok, a cable modem router then. is that OK?

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

The 'DSL/Cable' router I bought, only has an RJ45 connector on the back for the modem! So fine for a Telewest cable modem as they use the RJ45 connector from the modem to PC and not USB.

dsmith

Apologies for being pedantic but some products *only* have the DSL port and wont always allow you to have one of the ethernet switch ports as the "outside" internet facing port. Routers with a native DSL port also tend to be more expensive than an ethernet only one.

Deano