2 PCs in one house - how 2 share broadband

MrPayless

Ive got two pc's in my house and want to allow the kids to use my broadband connection on their pc (both P4s)

How do I do this? Im on NTL and have a cable modem (£18.99 p.m package). I dont need the connection to be wireless as the 2 pcs are close to each other.

Also - will the second pc have be able to access the first PC and vice versa?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

maninblack_3

If they are close together you can use a cross over network cable between the two.
You will need an ethernet card for each one. These can be bought very cheaply nowadays. Once you have linked them like this you can set one machine as an internet connection sharing machine and away you go. OK i have glossed over this a little but that is the very cheapest and simplest way, it can be done for £15. I could go in to much more complex methods but i think this will suit you best. Let us know if you need more help

maninblack

MrPayless

awesome! thanks

When I say close by, I mean that they are in the same house - are these cable long enough?
Thanks again

Godders

The general maximum of network cableing is about 90m between devices. If your PC's are farther apart than this I'd love to take a tour of your house as it's so big!

(Seriously, as long as it's a cross over cable you will should be fine with the solution given by maninblack)

I was going to add more but this after 6 false starts I realised this whole subject could turn into a home PC networking guide, (let me know if you want one - this sites introduced me interest free credit cards, so anything I can do in return!!! ;D)

MrPayless

thanks for the help - a bit more advice

Im going for the wired network - can anyone recommend a good router and cards (not expensive pls) that will allow NTL broadband connection?
Prices would help too

mutley74

i take it that both pcs have to be switched on for internet access?

maninblack_3

That depends on which one you are accessing the internet from. The one that is sharing the internet connection always has to be switched on for the other to connect. However the one doesnt need to be switched on for the Internet connected machine to to go online

maninblack

maninblack_3

Mr. Payless
I use an old pc with two netowrk cards in it which runs a dedicated firewall and proxy operatign system called ipcop. Its free and very easy to set up with an NTL cable connection. It does however need a an old spare pc to work. If you want to go down this route i can help you just let me know as i am an experienced senior netowrk engineer. If you are not confident about this then you need to buy an router that supports an ethernet WAN interface. I dont know of any models offhand but i know linksys do one as well as buffalo shouldnt cost you more than about £80

maninblack