what do i need for two computers to share dsl connection?

Question

i have dsl,,, and two computers,, how do i get them both on the net thrue my dsl connection at the same time?

I have a hub and tried to get the cpu's to network, but i cant get them to see each other. i have two enthra net cards on main machine and one in the other. set up network and still couldnt get them to see one another,,, what am i doing wrong?

Answer 1

Hi there. It sounds like you're asking one question, but in the description you're asking another so I'll address both of them. If the intent is to get two computers on the same internet connection the DSL is providing in your house, your best bet is to get yourself a Network Switch. The way this is to be configured will depend largely on what type of DSL network equipment was provided by your ISP (or what you have bought to go in its place). The network switch you buy will have a WAN port and the local side ports to connect your computers to. WAN goes from DSL modem to WAN port on switch, in other words. If your DSL modem is actually a router or, better yet, a router with a built-in 4-port switch, you already have everything you need to get onto the internet assuming each of your computers has a NIC (Network Interface Card) inside. Take a standard patch cable and hook up each computer to the switch. Most modems have DHCP servers so you can set your computers up to "Obtain an IP address automatically" in network properties of each computer.

The second question comes from your description which is entirely different than the question asked previously. It sounds as if you want to share information between your computers. If this is the case, more questions need to be answered prior to a resolution being given. Which operating system is each computer going to be running? If Windows, what version? If linux, which kernel and distribution? If Macintosh, which operating system version? Since most of the world is using Windows on their desktop, I will take this route when addressing this question. If XP Pro on both machines (Hold down the Windows key at bottom left of your keyboard, then press the Pause/Break button at the top right which will reveal the System Properties window giving you the OS version), you will need to allow the IP address as an exception in the built-in firewall if you have the applicable service pack that incorporates it. You will then need to open My Computer, right-click on the drive letter you wish to share out and choose Sharing. Choose to Share this Drive and call it something you can remember like "HomeShare1". Do the same on your other machine. If successful, you should see a Hand appear underneath the drive whether you're viewing it from My Computer, Windows Explorer or as an icon on your desktop letting you know that the drive is now shared. You will then need to ensure that your workgroup name is the same as that of the computer you wish to share data with. Again, from System Properties (use the keyboard shortcut previously mentioned or just right-click My Computer and choose Properties), click the Computer Name tab at the top and verify the workgroup name matches with the other machine. If this information is different, your machines won't be able to share data. I would first verify the network connection is up by issuing a ping to the IP address you've assigned the other computer that you're not currently viewing. Open Start->Run, type cmd and hit Enter. You should have a command prompt. Type ping . If you get replies, the machine is "alive". Do the same from the other machine to ensure that any firewall or other relevant software isn't masking the network communications from the machine. If both are "alive", go to Start->Run and type \\192.168.1.5\sharename where the 192 is the IP address of the box that has a shared drive and "sharename" is what you've called the drive in the Sharing tab of that system. If this does not work but you can ping it, check the permissions of your share on both ends and ensure that you don't have any software firewalls installed on either machine. Some anti-virus software bundles with security suites so be cautious of this as well. Also, check to see what networking equipment lies between your computers. If the answer is a router, ensure that the router is allowing communications between these two hosts. If you require further assistance, you can send me an email. My address is loadedmind[at]gmail[dot]com. I'll do what I can to help. If I don't answer right away, please keep in mind I have a full-time job so it may take a bit of time for me to respond.

Hope this helps,
John aka tau_zeppelin

Answer 2

Oh that will be very easy for you. Get a Router but there are 2 kinds. One is wireless and one is not wireless.

Try to get the wireless router and here is why.

If you don't get the wireless router then you have to plug the cable from the computer into the router.

But..with wireless,
You can get whats called a USB Network adapter and lets say you have a laptop. You can put the usb receiver on your laptop and be in the living room eating pizza and watching tv but have your laptop right there with NO cables going across the room.

The good thing about wireless routers also is you ALSO can put a cable to the computer so lets say you have desktop computer and a laptop.

The desktop sits right by the router so you just cable connect that one. The laptop you can even be outside by the pool or in the garage and it will have internet.

So you wouldn't need to have a cable on that one.

Remember Wireless routers can also use Cables to connect. When you get the Routers MAKE SURE you get 1 cable for each computer you want to connect.

If you have a laptop no cable is connected, instead you would get a usb network adapter and all you got to do is plug it into your laptop and you will be connected to the internet. This usb network adapter scans the air ways in your house for a connection and then uses that.

They have routers all over but if you are curious to how cheap they are, and they are very inexpensive you'll be glad to know, go to http://www.compusa.com for example and in the Search slot type in: wireless router and you'll see they have some $30 $20 I even saw one at $10 lol They also usually come with lifetime gaurantee.

Answer 3

In order to do this, you're going to need the DSL modem, and also a wireless router. In the wireless router, in the port labeled Internet, have a cable coming from the modem to that port. Plug in the other computers to the ports labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each computer gets its own port. It doesn't matter which one. So, you can have up to 4 computers using Internet with that connection. After making sure everything's connected properly, you should be able to get your DSL connection.

Answer 4

phone line to the dsl modem ( where it says phone in )
from the dsl modem to the uplink side of the hub with a cat5 patch cable
now make sure both computers have a cat 5 patch cable going from each computer to the hub
make sure both computers have the NIC driver installed and the tcp/ip protocol installed
as well as ip/ipx
make sure both computers use the same workgroup
both computers may or may not need the wan miniport driver installed
this is for the logon to your ISP since not all dsl modems hold the info in the modem
make sure you share you hardrive, or although you may see the computer on the workgroup, you will not be able to access it
it also helps if you are running the same windows OS on both computers ( 2000 on both or xp pro on both or xp home on both ) to avoid logons issues when browsing the networks, unless you create specific logon account for each computer for file sharing and browsing
DEFENITELY download zonealarm ( the free version ) for a firewall unless the dsl modem ( and not all do ) has a built in firewall

Answer 5

You will need a router. If you want a wireless connection for a laptop, or if you want to have the two computers far apart, you will need a wireless access point (just wireless) or a wireless router (wired and wireless). Also, to receive the wireless signal, your computer with which you want to use wireless must have a wireless card of some sort installed. All of this can be purchased at Best Buy for a total of under 100 dollars for a wireless router and wireless cards for both your computers.

Answer 6

A router, two network cards, Local Area Network Cables. If you are planning to use a wireless router, then both computers should be wifi (wireless fidelity) enabled.

Answer 7

A small four port router would do fine. You should be able to get one just about anywhere. It sounds like you're not much of a techno-geek, so the simplest and most secure for you is probably a wired router.
Try something like this:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=62

Answer 8

Well, I had the same problem, son bought for us a LAN, and we could both be on-line at the same time.... he recommends the wireless model for us next time I have to buy one, then I could take mine out to the barn and could work and play at the same time...
Was easy to install, you hook up your cable/telephone line to one input, and your cables to your computers to the others (they come in 4, 6, and 8 outputs) and you're ready to roll! Good luck!

Answer 9

just go to wal mart and get a router.they are kinda expensive but they work great.they will prolly run about $120-$150 when you get the router and the wire.

Answer 10

Get a router. LinkSys and NetGear brands are good enough and easy to install.