I have heard there is no need for a router to connect 2 desktops to a cable modem. Can someone please verify this? Or do I HAVE to have a router. BTW...both desktops have ethernet cards. One is my old PC that has WIN-98 and the new one is brand new with WIN-XP.
2006-11-29 09:22:05 · 10 answers · asked by tama_steve 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
.
I've done this.
And NO you don't need a router for only two computers. I'll give you Instructions below.
You would only need a router or switch when you are connecting MORE THAN two computers.
1. Connect the incoming ISP signal to the modem.
2. Use a short regular ethernet cable to connect the modem to the first computer1.
3. Use a longer CROSSOVER cable to connect computer1 to computer2.
Look on the back of computer1 to see what kind of ports you have available.
The cable from the modem will probably be an RJ45 connector into the modem, and
the back of computer1 should have a RJ45 port
Now, to connect computer1 to computer2
the back of computer1 will need to have another RJ 45 port (recommended)
OR at least a USB port
The back of computer2 should have a Rj45 port also.
You will use these ports to connect the two computers, and your crossover cable will have to have corresponding connectors.
Look for these at WalMart or Radio Shack.
If computer1 does not have a port
you can install one. The port is from a NIC
Network Interface Card.
Actually, that's what is inside all the ports are connected to cards which are connected to the motherboard.
If you don't have a NIC, get one from Ebay, or other computer equipment resources.
When you install a NIC you'll just
open your computer,
knock out one of the blank slots on the back of the computer.
and plug the NIC into the motherboard
and close the computer
(remember to destatic yourself/ touch metal when touching things inside your computer).
Computer1 will need to be turned on
for computer2 to access the internet.
If you need more specifics go to
R-click START > L-click Explore
at top tool bar click HELP >
INDEX > type in Networking
Also Right click this link > then click Open in New Window
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308582#XSLTH3126121122120121120120
h2h
2006-11-29 12:15:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though others here have answered your question very well, there is another thing to consider. Most ISP will either not allow you to have more than one computer connected to their service or will CHARGE you for extras. By connecting a router to the cable modem and then connecting the computers to the router, you can then configure the external interface on the router with the information from the cable modem, then set up the internal interface as such that your computers are on an internal network. This also keeps the outside world (the Internet) from seeing any of the computers behind the router; hence, less chance of attacks.
Hope this helps!
2006-11-29 10:37:33 · answer #2 · answered by ne0m1c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's actually possible, but it requires some technical expertise. One of your PCs will need to have 2 NICs and you need install/enable some sort of router program or IP forwarding on it. I'm not too familiar with MS Windows, but I know in Linux or other *Nix OSes, you can do this easily.
The 2 NICs on the PC, one will get the connection from the cable modem, and the other will connect to the 2nd PC. When you try to browse the Internet from the 2nd PC, the traffic will go to your first PC first and then to the cable modem
Something like this:
Modem <-----> First PC (with 2 NICs) <-----> 2nd PC
2006-11-29 09:32:34 · answer #3 · answered by dirtfarmer03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you need is a Ethernet switch. You would connect the switch to the Cable Modem, and then connect as many ethernet devices (computers, laptops, ethernet printers and so on) to the switch, depending upon how many outgoing ethernet ports your switch has. If you think you cannot afford a router/switch, think again, can you afford not to have one? May be YES, if you don't want to connect both computers. Another way out, is you can connect the desktop to the cable modem directly and the laptop wirelessly, if the cable modem lets you do that.
2016-05-23 02:59:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have 2 NICs in one of the PCs, you'll need a router. It's MUCH easier than trying to configure Internet Connection Sharing as well so even if one of the machines already has 2 NICs, get the router.
2006-11-29 09:28:30 · answer #5 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a way, However it will require one of your pcs to have 2x network cards.
1 to plug into the modem
1 to plug into the other PC
then the pc with the 2 cards will use internet connection sharing to share between the computers.
However you might aswell just buy a router as the otehr pc with 1 card wont have internet when the pc with 2 cards is off.
2006-11-29 09:27:59 · answer #6 · answered by Funky G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do it but why?
Spend the 30 bucks and save yourself a headache.
By the way, you don't have to have 2 nics to do it without a router, but you would have to have a switch.
Either way, for the cost of the NIC or the Switch, it doesn't make sense not to buy the router.
2006-11-29 10:07:01 · answer #7 · answered by wraymac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy a router with 2 ethernet cables
2006-11-29 10:27:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is a bold face lie....you do need to connect a router to conect more than one computer to the internet with one cable connection. SO NO...
2006-11-29 09:24:46 · answer #9 · answered by miguel g 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it is not needed, but recommended
2006-11-29 09:33:53 · answer #10 · answered by Patrick T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋