Two Laptops, One Ethernet

danyjr

danyjr

danyjr

Associate
Joined
26 Dec 2005
Posts
223
Me and my friend live in a room in student halls, where there is only one Ethernet socket available on the wall to use.

Every time you connect with a different device to the Ethernet socket, you'll have to go through some security registration checks, restart your device and then you can use internet.

I think the ISP checks the IP of the device that is connected via the Ethernet socket. If it is not the same as before, you'll have to do the security checks and then you're good to go.

This means me and my friend currently can't use the internet simultaneously.

I remember when I had my desktop, there were two Ethernet sockets on them, so I could use my desktop as a hub/router to receive and the other to send to other devices (in fact that is how I connect my XBOX to internet at home, via the Ethernet cable, making my PC a virtual mini-ISP for my room, downside is that my PC has to be always on in order to feed the XBOX, but no biggie). Unfortunately both of our laptops have only one Ethernet sockets on them, so I can't use the same method, (but there are lots of USB sockets on both laptops if that helps?)

Also we can't directly connect the Ethernet to a wireless router (or any kind of router I guess), because of the same IP checking thingy from the central ISP prevents that.

Is there any way to solve this hassle?

Cheers!
(as a way to thank the people with the best answer, I'm giving out Amazon Vouchers to the best answers/solutions)
:)
 
Im not exactly sure if it would work, but could you possibly use a Ethernet switch the split the connection?

Something like this.

Someone else can verify :)
 
Easy :).

On your laptop, fire up the networking wizard, and make it the internet gateway for "your network", sharing the internet connection over a wireless network - this will be an "ad hoc" network that you set up with your mate's laptop and your own. Sorted!
 
manbearpig said:
Im not exactly sure if it would work, but could you possibly use a Ethernet switch the split the connection?

Something like this.

Someone else can verify :)
Click to expand...

Funny you should say this, I already own one of these, and I'm going to try that on Monday. I'm not sure how the ISP will react however, when it checks the IP's of devices, and identifying two different IP's connected to a single socket! I personally don't have high hopes for it.
 
If the laptops both have wireless then do Internet Connection sharing (as above) and setup an Ad-Hoc network between the laptops (instead of the second Ethernet cable). Otherwise buy a USB-Ethernet adaptor.
 
Don't use a switch. A router will work. The ISP will only see one MAC address. Some routers can clone MAC addresses. Research it beforehand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom