Home network wiring help required please

[JONXLR8]

Hi, this setup hasn't happened yet but will be soon so im after a bit of
advice on connection:


:Hardware:

Two PCs running Windows XP, both with ethernet cards

One Thomson Speedtouch 330 supplying 1mbps broadband connection via USB

One Linksys 5 port ethernet hub.

One Epson Stylus Color 740 printer connected to one of the PCs via USB.


:What I want to achieve:

Share broadband connection.

Share files between PCs.

Possibly print from both computers on the single printer.



What I need to know is, what additional hardware may be required to achieve
the above, and what connections to use, still not fully clued up on crossed
over CAT5 stuff.

:My concern:

The broadband modem outputs via USB and therefore wont be able to connect
directly to the hub, will a new modem be required in order to share the
broadband connection between the computers?

 

[RS]

You can grab an adapter to convert USB over to network. You could also
route your internet connection via your main PC into the uplink port, though
that may require some reconfiguration.

Sharing files and printer is no problem. All you need is your modem plugged
into the uplink port of the hub to cross internet connection over.

With the USB-to-CAT5 adapter, you are looking at anywhere between $75US to
$130US for a decent adapter.

That should be all. You have the hub already so all you need to do is plug
them in and create shared directories. Make sure to place them on the same
workgroup.

-RS

 

[JONXLR8]

Being a total novice to this, i may be asking a stupid question.... but:

If the modem connects to the main computer via the USB port and i manage to
get the internet connection to output through the Ethernet port of the same
computer, whats stopping me having one single cable going from that computer
to the other one (Ethernet to Ethernet)... In other words, would a hub
actually be required?

Ive also been looking on Ebay for one of those adapters you mentioned and
they all seem to be Ethernet to USB rather than the other way round....
ahhhh! This is getting confusing!

 

[jimbo]

I would think that all you need is a crossover cable to connect the two
computers via their ethernet ports. Then set up an ad hoc network
beteeen them and you shoud be able to share the internet connection,
share the printer and share files.

A crossover cable is wired differently from a regular ethernet cable
and is used specifically for applications such as this.
Good luck, jimbo

 

[RS]

With proper configuration, you can wire your main computer to serve as a
gateway for the connection.

You need to configure the main computer to serve as a residential gateway
and the other computers to recognize the main computer as the residential
gateway (should be automatic if you plug your main computer into the uplink
port of the hub.

-RS