Can I hook up two computers to the internet without using a router?

Question

(I don't think these older computers have a PCI card.) Or can I run a cable from one computer to the other and then both would have the internet? I understand that would be a different type of cable. Anyway, how to use two with just one cable connection. Or can I use a splitter on the cable itself, then run a cable from the splitter to each computer?

Answer 1

Older computer will have pci slots (unless your referring to an ethernet adapter). In which case you can get two cheap ones for almost nothing.

Ok, simplest way to do this:
run a usb cable to one computer from the modem (if you have USB)
run a cross-over cat-5 cable to the second computer from the first.
enable "internet connection sharing" on the first.

Honestly, for $49 you can get a linksys wrt45g? I think that is the model, your basic blue dual-antenna wireless router. Don't have to go wireless, but non wireless routers are more expensive. Really, it will save your sanity. Otherwise, your creating what is considered a proxy server.

Also agree with Acadia, NAT is huge plus, it prevents your computers from being hit from the outside, the router is the only target unless you have a virus or trojan.

Answer 2

Hi there. Wow, lots of questions. See if I can help you out.

*notes: I'm assuming you're using windows 3.11 (no ICS available), or 95 (ICS maybe possible) or 98, as older computers can't handle the system requirements anything above what i mentioned.

1) You NEED to have a network card one of your computers and TWO cards on your "host" computer
2) There are two types of cables that old computers may use, BNC (like tv cable, round) or Ethernet (err, blue, green etc wires and a plug like a telephone plug but wider
3) No, you MUST have a cable from your telephone box (DSL, dialup) etc going to your main computer, and ANOTHER cable from that main computer to your second computer, .. so TWO cables needed.
4) No, splitting the cable in two won't work, not like a regular phone line, doesn't work that way. You can't share the same IP address split to two different computers trying to use the internet at the same time. You need a two network cards to do that for you. You could use an AB switch as suggested by another "helper" but the chance of getting one is nearly impossible or prob non existant, unless u make one yourself with a switch capable of 2 or 5 lines switching at one flick of switch.

Here's a nice site u can look at to do a "local networking" setup and how to use the ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) wizard setup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Connection_Sharing

Hope this helps you

Answer 3

You could put in an AB switch to shift the connection from one computer to the other, but you could use only one on the internet at a time. Considering how cheap ethernet cards and routers are, that would be the best route :-)

Answer 4

Install a network card in each computer, then use a cat 5 crossover cable to connect the computers.
then run the network neighborhood program and and you should be set.

Answer 5

I believe you can use a USB cable try it I have an older computer myself

Answer 6

I highly recommend that you use a router, if for no other reason, most routers also act as hardware firewalls (NAT routers) and are one of the very best ways to protect your system from hackers; worth the price that you pay for them.

Answer 7

yeah u can honey. if they were goodlooking and understanding u can hook them up at starbucks.. LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks for the laugh honey. i love u

Answer 8

No