Home Network

[Guest]

I have 3 computers at home. They are all 3 running on Windows XP. All of them
are also directly connected to the internet thru a cable modem (with a
switch).
Is it possible this way to set up a home network? I've tried the wizard on
all 3, but it doesn't seem to work. Do I need something extra? Or am I just
doing something wrong?

thanks.

 

[Chuck]

I have 3 computers at home. They are all 3 running on Windows XP. All of them
are also directly connected to the internet thru a cable modem (with a
switch).
Is it possible this way to set up a home network? I've tried the wizard on
all 3, but it doesn't seem to work. Do I need something extra? Or am I just
doing something wrong?

thanks.

Steven,

Here are a few websites with useful tutorials on file and internet sharing:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.wown.com/

If you're going to use a switch, you'll need to connect one of the computers
directly to the modem, and run Internet Connection Sharing on that computer.
You'll have to have 2 network cards - one connecting to the modem, the other to
the switch, with the other two computers - on the ICS server.

Using a NAT router to connect the computers, and share the internet service, is
a far better solution than a switch.
1) A router is easier to setup.
2) A router provides better security to your computers.
3) A router uses less system resources to share internet service.