Step to connect to router

[Shannon]

I'm trying to connect two pc by a router. Previously I
used to share it by using NIC and cross cable without
using a router. My question is do I still need to get a
straight cable or can I just use the existing cross
cable? Any link or tips as to how I connect the router,
as this is the first time I'm using a router.

 

[Fred Marshall]

I'm trying to connect two pc by a router. Previously I
used to share it by using NIC and cross cable without
using a router. My question is do I still need to get a
straight cable or can I just use the existing cross
cable? Any link or tips as to how I connect the router,
as this is the first time I'm using a router.

Some of them are "auto-sensing" so it doesn't matter what kind of cable you
use on any of the ports. e.g. Hawking makes switches like this.
The ones with a WAN input generally use straight through cables.
However, if the WAN connection has a switch (usually a push-in, push-out
type switch) then you can select the cable type with the switch.
Others don't label a WAN connection but one of the connectors at one end or
the other could have a switch as above.
Others don't use a switch but have two ports - one for crossover and one for
straight through. You can't use both of these connectors - only one - so
take your pick depending on which cable type you have. Generally, the port
that's most at the end is the crossover port and its neighbor is a straight
through port. With these, they've taken care of the crossover wiring inside
the box with one of the two connectors and the other connector in the pair
is straight through. All of the others are generally straight through.

Fred

 

[Ronald \Alan\ Gumm, Jr.]

You'll need the proper network cards on each PC, and the proper router
cable. Each PC will plug into the router.

If you have dial up you can set up one PC to dial in and the other to share
the connection with Internet Connection Sharing.

If you have a form of broadband your DSL or cable MODEM will plug into the
router, and will allow the PCs to share that signal.

If you have a firewall you'll need to have it off when setting up the
network. Once the network runs sans firewall you can enable it. Many
firewalls have settings to automatically detect your PC's IP addresses, if
not you'll need to run ipconfig on both to find their IP info and manually
enter that into the firewall settings on each PC.

-Alan