how to connect 2 comps to a cable modem

[rileydog6972]

I know this will be easy for you guys but how do I connect two computers to a single cable modem? I tried an ethernet splitter to no avail. I am an idiot so speak slow and use small words

if you havent purchased an extra ip address you will need to buy a router

dont get switches and hubs confused with routers tho

You'll have to pick up an ethernet router. Standard household routers are pretty cheap now days. $50 - $100 will get you a decent one with a built-in firewall. D-Link and Linksys both make respectable boxes.

You could also put a second NIC in one computer and make it a server for intents and purposes. The router is a better way to go though. Less hassle, plus preconfigured, etc.

Welcome to TIMO.

[rileydog6972]

thanks, that seems easy enough.

Oh, will i see a decrease in bandwidth/speed/download/upload??

[Westy]

You are only allocated so much bandwidth and so if one person is using it all, the other will see a degridation in the service although it may not be noticable so long as you limit your heavy downloading till late at night when its not being used just use some common sense

sharing out the internet downloading wise you will not see a decrease. but if both people are uploading (say on p2p) the upload will be slower

[JPMiller]

2 port router...
http://www.3btech.net/siss2porcads.html
4 port...
http://www.pcdirect.com/product.asp?Sku=NRSISS2604
http://www.compuhq.com/dlindi6exet4.html

[JPMiller]

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t75330.html
looks like what you want.?

[Gait_Keeper]

JP your the king of the links, omar is close

you need an ethernet card in each machine, some cat5e cable, a router like the ones jp posted, one with a print server if you like

cable modem
\/
router
\/ \/
PC PC

routers act as firewalls the outside world only sees your router not the machines behind it,

[[A3D]Hatswitch]

I tried an ethernet splitter to no avail.

Well, technically, that could work. You would have to pay for another IP address from your ISP (same as if you connected the modem to a hub or switch), and you would have to set the NIC's on both computers to 10Base-T, half-duplex (ethernet splitters only work that way). Of course, I would never encourage anyone to do that.