Nude Noob Network

[Derek79602+]

Now that I have your attention....

I have a group of computers- about 8, all running XP in one form or another, on a peer network (that means no server, right?). They are connected through a 16 port hub. I just had Cox install cable internet. They ran the cable to a PCX1100 (non-USB) and stopped there and told me the rest is my responsibility to get the cable internet through the hub to all the computers. I have a couple of questions.

1) The cable guy said he didn't know for sure- but he thought I would need a router in addition to the hub. Is this true?

2)Is there any way to connect the cable modem to the network without having to purchase a router? I was thinking of maybe running two NIC's in one machine then using Internet Connection Sharing as such: Cable Modem->Computer->Hub->rest of workstations. Is this viable? What special settings would I have to do? Is this where network bridging would come in to play? THis would be easier if I had a USB version modem I think.

3)What about plugging the modem straight into the hub? Would that work? Security is not a huge issue at this point- so keep it simple. I know I'll need a firewall very soon- but there is nothing on any workstation yet that can't be replaced.

4)I wasn't there when the cable guy did his magic- but the sheet he left behind leads me to believe that we are assigned a static IP address (small business package)- which I've never used- what special stuff do I have to do for this provision?

Links to baby-step by baby-step instructions would be ever so helpful.

Derek

[Blazer06]

I believe you should just replace your hub with a router.


Blaze

[Siliconjunkie]

1)yes
2)You can do it with a PC, but the router method is much better. No tinkering required, just plug and go.
3)You would need an IP from your ISP for each PC. And its horribly insucure.
4)You need to ask if you have static IPs so you can get your IPs/mask and gateway.

[Rand Dusing]

1. I was helping my friend set up a game server and told him to port forward but then he said he only had a hub. So for him he doesn't need a router.

2. Don't you connect the modem to the internet and then the router to the modem. Lots of people who have cable in my area only have a modem , no router, hub, or switch.

3. I'm not sure.

4. You don't really need any special stuff to use a static IP, it just never changes. But a static IP can do special stuff for you like make it easier to host web pages and game server. If you don't know what static is, it means it stays the same.

[jagnorm]

A router will work fine.. Also makes for a great fire wall.

[Derek79602+]

Junkie- #4- yeah that's what's on the sheet- a bunch of numbers separated by dots- gateways and stuff. #4 okay that makes sense.

Blaze-A 16 port router is expensive, no? I'm trying to do this on the cheap.

Rand- what does port forward mean? The hub is for the 8 other computers on my network.

Just get a 1-port router like what S.D.Willie has for sale. Just plug your HUB into it. There will be a lot of collisions, but at least it will be cheap.

[John Prophet]

you just need a nice little router, like a linksys BEFSR41 or something similar.

the router has a "wan" side and a "lan" side...the "wan" side hooks to the cable modem.

The "lan" side would be hooked to your hub.

Actually most home routers come with 4 ports so if you wanted you COULD hook comps to those ports and they may get a slightly better speed cuz theyd be on their own little network...as opposed to the hub whichs makes all the comps sor tof be on the same network..causing some packet "collisions"....but frankly, you probably wont see any difference either way.

You just come out of one of the "lan" ports of the router into one of the hub ports....doesnt even matter which one....unless it has an "uplink" port in which case you could use that. There are some issues with 'crossover" cables etc...but most home routers have "uplink" ports which do a "crossover" also....so you could use either kind of cable, a stright thru cat5 or a "crossover cat5" just depending on how you hook it up.

The routers almost always come ready to work with default settings.

Each comp would be set to "obtain an IP address automatically" and the router would be acting as a "dhcp server" as it would give each comp its own IP address...but like I said, it will probably be set to do all that automatically with the default settings.

Easy easy stuff...easier than you think.

JP


edit----------------------

yes, SD Willie's router would work fine...you would just come out of the one lan port to your hub....and like most home routers it will actually support up to 253 comps....you just would add hubs or switches.

[Siliconjunkie]

Or go get a couple of 8 port switches for 10 bucks each at Frys.

[bailey]

a switching hub would help prevent the collisions