TightVNC question

[jmebonner]

I've got my two computers hooked up (finally) and sharing an internet connection so they can both crunch. Problem is, this swapping the monito to and fro is really annoying.
Someone, maybe mickwish, or WoO told me to try TightVNC. I've got it, have it installed, but how in the world do I see my other computer's screen with it?

When I choose the viewer it wants me to enter a server.

Lost...

[vass0922]

ya, you install the server on the remote machine and the viewer on the local machine. I'm using RealVNC myself as I type

Then you type in the 'server' IP (the remote machine)

[jmebonner]

I see, how do I tell the IP?

Thanks!

[RedFury]

[jmebonner]

Originally posted by RedFury

What's that all about RF?

[vass0922]

connect to the 'server' and type 'ipconfig' at the command line. That will give your 'server' IP

[jmebonner]

Got it, working splendidly! Thanks for the help Vass!

[RedFury]

Oh, the whole networking thing. I'm going to be doing the same with our two computers and our Cable modem. Cat 5 is relatively cheap per linear ft compared to USB cable.

Here's a non related-related question. Non USB 2.0, is it going to slow my connection down if I use that vs. the NIC card? I've heard that I can just simply plug both the USB and NIC outputs into the 2 computers and not have to worry about a router or anything ( SB5100 ) . The modem is next to my computer, hers is about 10 ft away-cable length-and she doesn't online game, I do. I'll give her the shorter end of the bandwidth stick if I need to, but I also have another SMC Lan card in another computer I can throw into my computer to act as an internet server if I need to. Which way is easiest/cheapest/best?

Note: I'm Networking ILLITERATE. I can navigate Win98se ( both machines ) all day long, but I don't know the NIC,LAN,WAN,Router, Hub, etc side of hardware and setup.

[jmebonner]

Are you just networking to share the connection or to actually share files?
If just the connection, a hub is really all taht's nessecary. (me thinks)

[Mickwish]

Red, the cheapest (not really easiest, though, read on) is to join two PC's directly using a crossover cable. That will allow them to be networked. You can put an extra NIC in your computer to do that, and leave the other NIC for the modem.

But to then share the internet between the two, you have to set up the PC that has the internet connected to it to act as a proxy server for the other PC. That means, it has to be turned on and internet connected to it before the other computer can connect to the net. There are a few different ways to set up a PC as a proxy server, and the different process are breifly explained here.

To easily share an internet connection, a router is required. This allows the modem to directly conncet to it, and then each PC connects to the router. As long as the modem and router are on, you should be able to access internet from either PC, and also can share files and stuff as well. Of course, it's a bit more expensive, as routers may cost about US$50 I think.

My advice: save the hassle and buy a router. You will definitely not regret it.

Cheers
Mick