PCA Forums

Ok I'm using Windows XP on all machines.

On my computer I have the DSL Modem plugged into one network card and in the second network card i have a crossover cable going directly to my parents computer. I tested it and the internet works.

So on my PARENTS computer i added a second network card and a crossover cable from that computer to my sisters computer. But there's the problem i can't seem to get internet working on my sisters computer.

Can i do a three computer network without a switch/hub/router? If i can then do i have to put a third network card in MY computer (the DSL modem computer) and run the wire to her computer instead of it being run from my parents computer to hers?

The reason the nets now working on your sisters computer is because your sisters computer isn't directly connected to the machine with the net. You'd be best off getting a switch or hub. And then just hook all three computers to the switch directly with normal network cables. Then they'll all share the connection just fine.

GL! eGo

if you're running a 24/7 internet connection the easiest and safest route is just to buy a router with a hardware firewall - all you do is plug the router into the modem and then run each computer to the router with straight cables

it will run you about $60US but you will have internet on all the computers irregardless if one of them is down and you will be protected from port scanning on your connection which can be a real problem these days - i know lots of people wha are connected 24/7 and who getting all kinds of junk on their computers because they are not behind a firewall -

You can't (not easily) share and already shared ICS connection via ICS on another computer. Right off the bat there's going to be an IP address conflict because bothe computers that are sharing via ICS will configure their outgoing port to the same IP.

The quick fix, is instead of using ICS on your parent's computer to share it with your sister, just buy a 4 port network switch and split the incoming cable in your parents room (cable from your computer goes into one port on the switch, then your parent's computer and your sister's computer each connect to two of the other ports on the switch.

The right way to do it, however, if you don't mind running some extra cable is to connect your modem to a cable/DSL 4 port router in your room, and then connecr all three computers to the ports on the router. That way everyone always has internet access even if your computer is turned off.

Thanks guys for the info but its not any small job to just get a router/switch. I'm living in a different house than my parents and what we did is ran a crossover cable UNDERGROUND to my house. Since I have the internet at my house if i was going to hook up my sisters computer BACK to my computer or router we'd have to dig up the ground and crawl underneath my house again and.....well you know, its a huge job

You may just need to try and go wireless.. Dunno..

GL!

put the router in your house, put a gender bender on the cable (from xover to regular) and drop of cheap switch or hub at your parents house

Look at my FIRST recommendation again: Quick fix is just to install a 4 port network switch at your parents computer. No extra cables to run. Get a modern switch with auto sensing ports, like the D-Link, and it doesn't matter that you're using a crossover cable.

Thanks, now i have another question. Lets say I have my computer and my parents computer plugged into a Router. If i hook up a switch at my parents computer and plug my sisters computer into the switch will she still get internet when all computers are shut off?

Just dont daisy chain... thats what a switch does... the one line going form your house to your parents... put a switch in your parents house before ANY of the computers and then just run one cable form each computer to the switch. then it wont matter whos computer is on or off.

Thanks, now i have another question. Lets say I have my computer and my parents computer plugged into a Router. If i hook up a switch at my parents computer and plug my sisters computer into the switch will she still get internet when all computers are shut off?

Yes. Modem to Router, one port router to your computer, one port on router to network switch. One port on network switch to your parent's, one port on network switch to your sister's.

Us a a switch with auto sensing inputs that can automatically detect a crossover cable and you won't have to rewire the cross over cables, not that it's hard to do if you had to.