RajS

Hi guys,
I want to link 2 pc's together and only use 1 modem is this possible and if so what are the easiest/cheapest ways.

Cheers Raj

judgejules

Are they in the same room?

What operating systems etc?

More info plz

~Jules

RajS

No they are in separate rooms 1 upstairs 1 downstairs. They are both on XP Pro.
Raj

Davie

There are a few ways,

The way i have done it ( i have 5 PC's running off the one modem), is to buy a broadband router, i use the d-link DI-604 and set that as the default gateway on each machine. Give both PCs simple IP addresses too.

Or, you could just buy a crossover cable and run that to each PC and use internet connection sharing.

Or the tidiest way would be to set up a wireless network. Saves un tidy cables.

More info can be given if you need it.

Mr.Cookie

If modems a dial up and both machines have nic (network cards) then a crossover cable and go start -> my network places then set up home or small office network choosing this machine connects directly to the internet for the one that has modem and this computer connects to the internet via a residential gateway for the one thats not.

If it's a cable modem connected via usb then same as above.

If you don't want loads of cables by a wireless router and wireless network card (should all cost ~£120)

Si

Mr.Cookie

damn i type slow

RajS

So what would be the easiest way to connect them up, by the way i have a broadband connection.
Cheers

Mr.Cookie

Easiest router

Cheapist Crossover cable

Least messy Wireless router

Si

M J B

If you can run a cable between the two pcs without too much hassle get two network cards and a cross over network cable (cross over cable is wired different to a normal one). Should be able to do that for about £15. A router is going to be £50ish + and then you still need two network cables and network cards (if you have not already got 2)
Wireless is going to cost you about 100 notes id guess.

Try a search on here for stuff as it must have come up a few times before.

hedgehog

Go with a router as it may cost more to start with but has lots of advantages, such as having a hardware firewall etc. If you don't want to run cables, which is a pain, then you can go wireless as others have suggested. This will be a little more expensive and slightly more complex to set up but most wireless broadband routers have instructions.

If you get a router with DHCP then it will allocate addresses etc. to your PCs so there is very little to do to configure them and the default settings of the router should be enough to get you going.

These folks sell routers which I have found to work well:

http://www.seg.co.uk

No connection other than myself and, now, a few friends run a range of the Draytek gear.

Also there is more info here:

http://www.adslguide.org.uk

There are reviews of a range of modems and routers on this site.

Oops, edited to correct a link.

[Edited by hedgehog - 12/13/2003 10:16:39 PM]

RajS

Thanks for the advice guys. I think i'll go the wireless route.

Thinking of buying a Netgear DG834M wireless router. Only problem is that I don't know if Pipex support it. anybody know?

Thanks

Raj