Sharing cable connection

[ClubMed]

I have one cable connection and I would like to share it between a desktop and laptop both running Win XP.

Can I do this with a router only?

I know about the method where you place 2 NIC's in one computer to share the connect with another computer, I would like to avoid this method.

Are there routers out there that would allow me to do this without buying any other hardware and without having to keep one computer on so that the other computer can use the connection?

I know close to nothing about routers, sorry for any moronic remarks

Thanks.

[omalleytrading]

Yes, a router is all you need. Connect the router to the Cable modem, then connect the PC's to the Router (or go wireless), and you're done.

[ClubMed]

Can I buy any router or do I need specific one's?

[magwel]

In Addition to Omalley's response,

If your laptop does not have an ethernet port built in, you may need to buy a NIC to connect to the router.

[Bill in SD, CA]

Any cable router will work. I use a LinkSys BEFSR41.

Was using it hard wired to my son's laptop. Worked fine.

Added a Netgear 80211b access point since he had a built in 80211b wireless card and now he's wireless and I have 3 other computers hardwired to the router along with the access point.

Bill

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/router.htm

hey Club this site should let you understand what exactly a router does

oh yah, call you isp and ask if they offer a way for more than on computer on your network to have internet

Coxs Cable out here allows up to 3 people to connect to the internet at no additional charge


of course, the router will give the network some sort of protection