Sharing files and printer with Win 98

[BluesMan1]

I'm going to have 4 computers all with Win 98, i need only one computer on internet but i need to share files and printer between all of them so what would be the best setup for it ?

[muno]

Setup a network, setup printer and file sharing, setup shares.

I don't know what kind of internet you have, but assuming only one computer has internet, I would add extra nic to the internet computer, put a hub/switch on the end, connect all other computers to the hub/switch.
-M

[BluesMan1]

Thanks muno,

What do you think about having a Router for the computer connected to the internet, add a second NIC to this computer and use a Hub to share files and printer with the other computers ?

Starting from the Hub do i have to use a straight cable or a crossover ?

Thanks for your time

[muno]

I still don't know how your internet computer is connected so this is all assumption.

Router is not necessary. Ideal solution would be, that you already have a router that acts as a hub simultaneously. That way, all your computers will have internet connectivity and network neighborhood.

But if your connection type is not like that, then yes, get the second nic for the internet computer, and a hub for the neighborhood. You need normal utp cable, crossover cables are only needed in direct connection. Normal hubs have a switch for one port that will enable the hub to be connected to another hub, but you don't need that currently.
-M

[BluesMan1]

Thanks again,

My internet connection will be DSL and i don't want all computers on it, only the main computer will be connected but all computers must share files and printer.

I need to have some firewall on the computer connected to the internet and that's why i was planning to have a Router for this one and in order to share files and printer would it be easier for me to have a HUB to do it ?

[muno]

If it's a normal dsl connection (meaning you will have a dsl modem) you only need one nic on the internet computer.

Get an internal dsl modem (this is my opinion) and have a software firewall installed.

Your internal network will be completely protected when it is separated from the internet. (though if your internet computer gets a virus or whatever, it can spread through shares).

You will need one nic per computer, a hub/switch and cables.
Setup the network neighborhood with private ip addresses and you're set.
-M

[BluesMan1]

Cool, thanks for your time, i'll go with that and see what happen later on,

Have yourself a good day