New to networking: need basic help

[TM BYSON]

hello,

i'm trying to put 2 pcs and 1 mac on a network.

from what i understand, all i need are 3 NICS, 1 hub, and 3 cables.

is this correct? i really don't know.

and also someone suggested i get 2 software titles: pc maclan and dave. do i really need this software?

any help would be appreciated.

[ktwebb]

That should do it. Dont know about that software. Sounds like PC for the Mac stuff. decent 4 or 5 port hub should cost you about 50 bucks, give or take. Cables vary. Should not pay more than 30 for the three. much less if you can find them

[TM BYSON]

thanks! would you happen to know if i'd need
any other software or if it's just ready to
go after i install everything?

[Justin]

I have three PCs and six MACs om my home network.

If you want to share a lot files between the PC or MAC, then PCLAN or DAVE will make that task easy. I don't share the files enough to justify the cost. Instead, I set up an FTP server (freeware - WarFTP) on the PC and FETCH on the MAC. When I need to share a file that's too big for a floppy, I FTP from the MAC to the PC.

It's not elegant, but it's cheap and it works. -- Justin