Linux/WinXP network question

[tonkata123]

hey guys i really need your help.
Im kinda new to networking but i have some experience with it.
im not big into linux .
So okay..heres my problem
I have two computers in my room connected together with a cross over cable. One of them runs with Red Hat 9.0 and the other is with Windows XP. i want to have them on a network somehow and having the linux computer provide(share) the internet connection to my XP comp.
For the internet i have a cable modem connected to a usb port
please help, im really lost.
thank you

[crossedup]

Easiest way would really be to get a router, they are usually set to be a DHCP server by default.

Turn both rigs off, plug the router into the net connection, plug both rigs into the router, turn both back on. Might have to tell the router how to access the net connection as in user name and password.

After that you can add as many computers as you have ports.

Cable/DSL routers cheap these days.

[tonkata123]

okay i got a router and i connected my computers to it
but now i have another problem.
i wanted to have my linux computer to host my websites and to run an eggdrop. the problem is that i cant connect to my Linux pc by any port.every time i try to connect by ssh or telnet from my windows pc or some other pc it gives me "connection refused".
I think thats because both of my computers have the same IP, and everytime i try to connect my windows pc is blocking it..
is there a way i can change the ip of my linux pc or something?
i have few domain names if i can use them, but i dont know what to do..
pls help
thanks

[crossedup]

If both your computers are hooked to the router they dont have the same internal IP addy but they share ( so to speak ) the same external IP addy.

You will somehow have to specify which IP subnet to connect to so the linux machine is looked for or asked for information from. Im no software wizard so I can get into no further detail on your dilemma