Quick answer appreciated please

MT01XP · 2 Aug 2006 at 00:28

I had two PCs sharing a cable modem connection via a USR router.

The router packed up the other day so I picked up a cheap as chips 8 Port 10/100 Switch to tide me over, however I can never manage to get a internet connection working on both.

Is it possible to share a cable modem connection using a switch or does one have to use a router?

Thanks in advance!

Gavstar · 2 Aug 2006 at 00:34

If the modem doesn't do DHCP then you need a router.

If one of your machines has 2 nics you could set one up as an internet gateway temporarily.

tolien · 2 Aug 2006 at 00:37

Whether the modem does DHCP or not, unless you're paying for 2 IPs (AKA Xbox kit or something), it won't work (plus it means both machines get public IPs, so need firewalls, etc etc).

MT01XP · 2 Aug 2006 at 00:42

Gavstar said:
If the modem doesn't do DHCP then you need a router.

If one of your machines has 2 nics you could set one up as an internet gateway temporarily.

What's a 'nic'?

MT01XP · 2 Aug 2006 at 00:44

Gavstar said:
If the modem doesn't do DHCP then you need a router.

If one of your machines has 2 nics you could set one up as an internet gateway temporarily.

Just realised nic = network interface card.

Yeah the PC by the modem has a network connection on the mobo and one in a pci slot.

Gavstar · 3 Aug 2006 at 17:06

tolien said:
Whether the modem does DHCP or not, unless you're paying for 2 IPs (AKA Xbox kit or something), it won't work (plus it means both machines get public IPs, so need firewalls, etc etc).

Oops, meant NAT

MT, if you connect the machine with the 2 network cards to the modem and turn on Internet Connection Sharing then it should work for the second box, though obviously only when the gateway machine is powered up.