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Connecting two computers with one connection

Submitted by nsiva on 17 October, 2005 - 19:38

dear sir,

I am looking for a way to browse internet from two computers but with the same bsnl connection. Please hlp in this rgd.

Rdgs
N.Sivasankar

Forums:

You very likely need to provide more information before I or anybody else can recommend anything..

-What operating system (including version) are you using?
-Are your computers networked already?

and so on..

Let us know.
-K

Dear sir,

Thank you for your reply. My operating system on both of the computers is windows xp service pack 2. I am not sure about the networking aspect. Please can you advice?

Thanks in adv
N.Sivasankar

If your computers aren't already networked:

You will need:

  • Two (or more) Network cards (or NICs) which are usually Rs.300 or so. Check if your PC doesn't come with an inbuilt network interface before buying these.. You will need to insert them into your computer' s PCI slots. If your broadband connection uses it's own NIC, you will need to get another one for that PC..
  • If you are networking more than 2 computers, you will need to purchase a switch. An 8 port switch retails for about Rs.1500+
  • Cat 5 cable(s) - These will connect your PCs to each other or to the switch. They can again be purchased from your dealer. Just make sure that you ask him to give them to you "crimped". If you are connecting your computers to each other, ask the dealer to give you a "cross-over" cable. If you are going to be using a switch, ask for "Straight" cables.

Once you have all your hardware set up, google for home networking tutorials like this one. Once you have the two computers networked successfully, you can share your Internet connection using XP's Internet connection sharing (ICS).. which is a cinch. Google again for a tutorial like this one..

If you have any questions, post here :)
Regards,
Karthik.
P.S Please don't "dear sir" me :P No formalities here.. A hi, hello, greetings etc. etc. will be sufficient :)