Home LAN, 2 nodes, no router - possible?

[Mike Ruane-Torr]

I need a quick answer - hopefully someone can give it to me!

I have two PCs at home, both running W2K. I have an ADSL USB modem (NOT a
router). I also have a crossover network cable and a network card in each
PC.

I want to be able to connect one PC to the ADSL service, but allow both of
them access to the Internet.

1. Is this possible?
2. If so, how?
3. I have firewall and A/V software - do I need it installed on both PCs,
or just the one that's connected?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rob Elder, MVP-Networking]

Enable ICS on the modem connection.

 

[Mike Ruane-Torr]

Enable ICS on the modem connection.

Is it really that simple? What IP address will be assigned to the second
PC, for example? Or does the first PC take on a full "router" role and
supply NAT services, or something? Am I missing something here, or is
there a problem with IP addresses?

 

[Rob Elder, MVP-Networking]

It's that simple.

The ISP connection will get IP from your ISP. Set the other connections to
obtain IP automatically. ICS will set up its own DHCP server for address
assignment. Your LAN subnet will be in the 192.168.0.0 network.

The only downside is the ICS server needs to be running from the other PC to
get web access.

 

[Mike Ruane-Torr]

It's that simple.

The ISP connection will get IP from your ISP. Set the other connections
to
obtain IP automatically. ICS will set up its own DHCP server for address
assignment. Your LAN subnet will be in the 192.168.0.0 network.

Wow, I'm impressed. I didn't realise it was that clever

Thanks for your advice.