Networking n00b - help linking two PC's

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Hi all,

Netoworking isnt really an area of great knowldege for me, however since my sister has discovered the wonders of instant messageing, ive decided to set up a 2 compo network, so she can share my net connection.

As of yet i have no networking hardware at all, and was wondering what sort of kit i'd need for this simple setup.

Also my computer is on win 2k pro and hers is on 98SE, is this okay for the network to still work??

Cheers

--Jakk:t

[RampageIII]

You could use a router with built-in switch ports. Depends on how you connect to the net9phoneline or cable) as to what type router you need.








Why not put your PC's idle time to good use by downloading the seti@home client HERE (http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/download.html) and then joining the Sysopt.com Users 2002 Team HERE (http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/cgi?cmd=team_lookup&name=Sysopt.com+Users+2002) :D

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Im connected to the internet via Cable modem.

I had been looking at the

Sitecom: gamer Network kit

This consists of 2x 10/100mbps network cards and an 8m UTP Cross-over cable.

Is this a suitable kit for my steup...also due to the distance between the two systems, would i be able to replace the provided cable with Grey UTP Patch 15m cable or not??

Thanks for the advice

--Jakk:t

[$1500-P4 gamer]

As long as it is Cat e5 "crossover" its fine. Also cant be longer than 150' between hub or other machine in a direct connection as yours. You are only going about 49' so your fine.

[Midknyte]

I think it would be better if you just got the router/switch combo that Rampage suggested. It would be more convenient than using ICS on your system and connecting it to your sister's computer. If you use ICS, then your computer would have to be on in order for your sister to connect to the internet. Unless you leave your computer on 24/7, your sis will bug you to turn on your computer every time she wants to "surf".

If you get the router/switch, then you would have 2 independent computers. Linksys makes an affordable router/switch combo and you can get it at Best Buy or CompUSA. You'll also need a couple of patch cables. The built-in firewall isn't too shabby either. :D

[PuterTutor]

Agree with Midknyte on this one, had mine networked with the crossover for awhile myself, worked ok, but the router setup is much better. If you do decide to set up with crossover, you can get a wake on lan Nic so when your sister tries to get online, it will turn your computer on. Some systems aren't too good for this though either, especially now when there are several programs that check to see if there is internet available, your computer will have a hard time staying off.


As P4-Gamer said, be sure you get crossover if you are not using a router, a regular patch cable will not work. Shouldn't be any more expensive than a regular patch cable though, if it is, consider making one yourself. Pretty good guide here :
Crossover cable Guide (http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/dyi_crossover.htm)

Good Luck, and enjoy your network.

[Strat]

If it's just 2 comps, you have 2 options.

You can either



a: Use 2 NIC's and a crossover cables - Cheap

b: Use A Broadband router (Netgear RP114 works with NTL, I use it), 2 NIC's and 2 straight patch cables - Better setup, expandability etc etc.







Both ways have ups and downs, but for saving money, and the fact that you only have 2 comps, I will explain how to share connection with method a:

Install the 2nd NIC in your sisters computer, make sure it is bound with TCP/IP protocols. (You'll need Win98 SE CD-ROM)

Now, install another NIC in your computer..... TCP/IP bindings again. I don't even think you need the Win2K CDROM, but whatever, install it, drive it, bind it.





Take the crossover cable, and connect the 2nd NIC in your comp to the NIC in your sisters comp.

Go to your Win2K computer, control panel, then 'Network and Dial-Up Connections'

Find the 1st NIC, the one that is connected to the internet, the one that you have always been usiing, right click it, and choose sharing. Select 'Share this internet connection'.

Restart computer.

Go to sister's computer, go to IE, connections, then tell it to automatically detect settings for pretty much everything, using connection through a LAN.

Restart comp(s), go to IE, let it detect the settings.....should be working at this point.








If you need me to explain the router version, just post, but this should be fine for 2 comps, if all she wants to do is instant message.