2 NIC's on one computer

[Jack Gillis]

I have a DSL connection directly from the modem to the motherboard NIC
on my main computer, no router involved. I would like to have a second
computer, a laptop, share this connection to the Internet as well as
share files between the itself and the first computer. Prior to DSL,
using a dial up connection to my ISP, I had the two machines networked
via a crossover Ethernet cable. It worked fine. Now, with the first
computer's NIC connection taken up by the cable from the modem, I can
find no way to hook up the second computer.

Would an additional NIC on the first computer do the trick? And, if so,
are there any special things I need to do? I've read in one of the
groups things that suggest a Network Bridge might be required but I
freely admit I am in over my head here. Perhaps there is a USB method.
I really would like not to use a router but will if necessary.

Any help on how to do what I want to do -- have one machine connected to
the DSL modem, connect the laptop to the first machine and share its DSL
connection as well as share files between the two computers without the
use of a router-- will be appreciated.

Thank you very much.

 

[Ron Lowe]

I have a DSL connection directly from the modem to the motherboard NIC
on my main computer, no router involved. I would like to have a second
computer, a laptop, share this connection to the Internet as well as
share files between the itself and the first computer. Prior to DSL,
using a dial up connection to my ISP, I had the two machines networked
via a crossover Ethernet cable. It worked fine. Now, with the first
computer's NIC connection taken up by the cable from the modem, I can
find no way to hook up the second computer.

Would an additional NIC on the first computer do the trick? And, if so,
are there any special things I need to do? I've read in one of the
groups things that suggest a Network Bridge might be required but I
freely admit I am in over my head here. Perhaps there is a USB method.
I really would like not to use a router but will if necessary.

Any help on how to do what I want to do -- have one machine connected to
the DSL modem, connect the laptop to the first machine and share its DSL
connection as well as share files between the two computers without the
use of a router-- will be appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Yes, you can do what you want.
But using Internet Connection Sharing, not a bridge.

Put a second network card in the PC, and connect it to
the laptop with a crossover cable, like you had before.

Go to the Network Connections folder.

Do not use a Bridge.
If a bridge appears by itself at any point, delete it.

There will be 2 entries, one for the first ethernet connection to the DSL
modem.
You might like to re-name it to 'Internet Connection' for clarity.
The second will be the LAN connection to the Laptop.

R-click the Internet connection, and choose Properties.
On the Advanced tab, ensure the firewall is enabled.
Also select the option to share the Internet connection.

The icon for the Internet connection should show both
a padlock and a sharing hand.

Now, on the laptop, it's TCP/IP properties should be set to obtain IP
address automatically.
It should pick up an IP address from the PC.

 

[Jack Gillis]

Thank you very,very much Ron.

That is exactly what I thought might be the case but it almost sounds
too easy.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Another option, which I prefer, is to get a cheap broadband router/firewall
(make sure it's really a firewall!) like a NetGear FR114P or similar and
just plug everyone into that. I think ICS is icky.