Two comps 1 cable modem

[Bollux]

So the question I pose is this, is there a way to get both pc's on the cable modem sans router? I know it can be done with the router as thats its purpose but can I work a way around it? Can I network the slave to the master and feed off the masters connection? All ideas would be helpful.

[Don-Dad]

Huh? Never heard of, cable modem sans router.

Why make life complicated. Routers are dirt cheap (wired versions). Though you would need some cat5 wire if you do not already. Plug modem cat5 into router and your good to go.

you can connect 2 windows pc's together but the "master" needs 2 nic cards and you need a crossover cable. Though from what I understand that configuration sucks.

[housedude]

Just throw one computer away, problem solved!!

You can do it in winblows xp easily but I would buy a router for a few reasons. They come with a firewall with some protection out of the box. its easy to set up. If your like me i have a way of killing windows machines and if you kill the one connected to the internet you can't go online with the other one.

Now that I have stood on my soapbox here is a good site that explains how to do that.
http://www.networklab.co.uk/cmodem/winxpics.html

[sao95]

can't you firewire them together, then use the ethernet to the modem :confused: I'd go the router way as well ;)

[Hockeyfan]

how about a switch. That is what I used for a while running computers and Xboxes and stuff.

[Hockeyfan]

I still have mine somewhere packed away. Its yours if you want it and I can find it once I move into the new pad.

Andrew

[SGTDad]

If you get a second network card on one computer, you can use one computer as a router. There are many downsides though. A dedicated switch is much better and inexpensive.

[troy00690]

The router that I have from Comcast has the ability to run ethernet or usb. I have run a cable from both to 2 different computers and they both worked fine.

[DarthDaddy]

My question is WHY?

What possible reason would you have for not wanting a router. Wired are DIRT cheap... My Wireless NETGEAR was only like $70.00 It has wired inputs and of course the wireless which the wife uses with her laptop...

:confused:

[sao95]

to set up a network using a router, to where one comp can access the files from the other can be a security risk, is that it bollux?

[Bollux]

the gf's computer from work needs web access for her to work from home. We have the normal cable modem from comcast but was trying to think of a way to do it without a router. I did not think it was at all possible so seems will have to go the router route after all. Granted it would be on the companies dime so I am not too worried over it. I have a switch set up for monitor keyboard and mouse but the new comp is giving me shit about accepting the mouse/keyboard. It works on my machine fine but the new machine doesn't detect them it just says says unknown usb device detected. (had the switch that was all ps/2 so had t run ps/2 cables with usb adaptors.)

[jeffus]

Router! And you're done!

It's a piece of kelp! Even an old fogey like me can do it! Did it. Mine works!

The cables will cost you more than the router - that ain't right!

[Bollux]

yeah that is pretty sad. Now just to find a compusa or somethign like that to get the router from or she will have to order and get the office to ship it here.

[Don-Dad]

Best Buy has a decent selection of routers. Actually Walmart even carries a few.

Also, take a look at realvnc.com, I just installed it on my home network. If your having problems with the keyboard and mouse, you could connect to the other PC via your network. Downfall is you would have to give up your web time so the GF can work :(

It was super easy to set up the software and if you do it without telling the GF, you could screw with her while she is on the other PC., moving the mouse, closing windows, just the kind of stuff to piss her off ;)

[Bollux]

the belkin i am using only has one mouse keyboard and monitor for two pcs so my "airtime" will be limited anyway. Most likely spend that time working outside the house at some local joint (there is a local music store hiring) to make a few extra bucks to help the bills. I still plan on contacting the local music director here so i can possibly do some music teaching here on the side.

[sao95]

does the mouse and keyboard work if plugged directly into the computer? :confused:

[Don-Dad]

If you see someone throwing an old PC out, grab the mouse and keyboard :)

[Bollux]

lol well the point is to eliminate needing an extra mouse/keyboard since both machines on the same work station. hence the switch. but dunno why the slave doesnt recognize the mouse/keyboard.

[tiggere]

I have two machines set up behind a router on a cable modem and only use one monitor and keyboard for both...I use a TRENDnet KVM switch to go between boxes...it has two monitor plugs and two mouse ports that go to the back of each computer...your keyboard and mouse plug into the KVM box...with one input plug for your monitor to hook to on the KVM box...push a button and your on the other computer...this PC doesn't have my email on it and I never D/L files on this machine as its my work PC...the other is for playing...

Cost is about $22.00 for the dual port...

Look at this link at the very bottom of the page...
http://www.trendnet.com/products/TK-207K.htm

They have one that will let you use up to 16 computers with one mouse and keyboard...(this is the link to all of the ones they offer)
http://www.trendnet.com/products/f_kvm-switches.htm

Buy a router that will support VPN (virtual private network) and has a hardware firewall...turn on software firewalls on both machines...and you can share files across your network with no security risk as they can't see the machines behind the router...



hope this helps...

[Don-Dad]

try the real vnc software I mentioned, it will do the same thing as your switch and it's free. http://realvnc.com I am able to connect to a pc in my basement and use it as if I were sitting in front of it :)

[craigbass76]

You ahve to use a router, not a switch. This is because:

With a router, the cable company is only giving one public ip address to you. Then the router is doing some NAT (Network Address Translation), some masquerading, and giving your two boxes private network addresses (10.100.x.x, 192.168.x.x and such)

With a switch, the cable company ends up giving a public ip to two machines (two addresses) and since ip addresses are something they pay for, they get ugly when you try and grab two. I don't knwo about comcast, but verizon will void your dsl contract if you do this.

My advice (and remember if you've gone to my site that I'm a linux guy) is to get an old box with two nics and a switch (4 port I guess is the smalles you can get, and you only need 3 with this configuration). Turn the old box into a linux firewall/router (this will get the public ip and pipe the internet into the switch--then give other boxes on the home network private addresses) and run it without monitor, mouse, or keyboard. You can get putty for windows which is a program that lets you log into the linux box.

The other route (pardon the pun) is do like others said and get a small router for 20-30 bucks instead.

The linux method is way cooler, and these boxes do everything that a 1500-2000 dollar Cisco router/firewall does. It is more of a chore to set up though, especially if oyu knwo nothing of Linux. It does logging and the firewall rules are totally customizable. Small routers are cheap and easy, but good luck with the firewall.

Either way, remember that firewalls don't protect you from yourself. You can still download viruses and spyware with ten firewalls in place. They just keep people from hacking into your box by blocking ports.

See my products/services -> firewalls page for a bit more info.

[Don-Dad]

I used to run a linux pc as my router, about 4 years ago. It worked well enough but on an old pc, messing with settings was a pain.

[craigbass76]

Well, I'd be willing to help out with that if need be. If you use cable, I believe the linux box gets the public ip (not like verizon where the modem is that one getting the ip) so there's be no messing with the modem to allow port 22 traffic, and the firewall can be set up during install to allow ssh.

Still, the easier route (man, I'm punny lately :P ) is the regular cheap router.

[Bollux]

she ordered a router and cables for the links through her office so prolly get sometime next week.

[Bollux]

got the switch to work on both machines just had to cable the ps/2 into a single usb port. The router came in today so I set that up as well, so the gf should be good to go for tomorrow.