How to use a enternet switch to share internet?

Red_panda_4

Hi, I'm living in a student house, and we want to share the internet, so I purchased a 10/100M Etnernet Switch. However, it seems not work by simply plug in all the conections. If I only plug in myself's one is no problem, but if i try to plug in more, it will not work at all. I tried to reset and restart the computer and cables several times it still not work. Could anyone help me with this problems,Please? Any little helps will be appreciate.

ingresman

odd never heard of that before. Have you swaped the cables to see if that's the issue ?
Try the supplier web site for support or get a Wireless Access Point and get everyone on wireless, that should at least get you under way

superscaper

Exactly what is it you've got and exactly how are you connecting everything (give complete details). You may need a router rather than a switch. A switch only really directs traffic on an existing network, not for internet sharing.

[Deleted User]

ASDL or Cable?

How many Network cards do you have in your computer?

You can use a switch to share the connection, but it's not the best way to go about it..

toasterman

If all you have is a cable modem connected to an ethernet switch, then it probably will only work with one pc.
It's because you only get one external ip address with Virgin Media, and it gets allocated to the first pc that connects (whichever one that is).
If you connect a different pc and reboot the modem, then that pc will work..and still the others won't.

You need something else to give out internal ip addresses - you need a cable router rather than a switch. Something like this should do the job: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/35433

[Deleted User]

toasterman wrote: »

If all you have is a cable modem connected to an ethernet switch, then it probably will only work with one pc.
It's because you only get one external ip address with Virgin Media, and it gets allocated to the first pc that connects (whichever one that is).
If you connect a different pc and reboot the modem, then that pc will work..and still the others won't.

You need something else to give out internal ip addresses - you need a cable router rather than a switch. Something like this should do the job: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/35433

The only way to get the switch to work would be to have the modem connected to a pc by a network card and then the pc connected to the switch along with the other PC's and use ICS. The main drawback, the pc with the modem would have to be on all of the time that people want to use the internet.

toasterman

be_alright wrote: »

The only way to get the switch to work would be to have the modem connected to a pc by a network card and then the pc connected to the switch along with the other PC's and use ICS. The main drawback, the pc with the modem would have to be on all of the time that people want to use the internet.

You'd need two network cards in the main pc though, and if you're going to spend £15 on a second network card, you might as well spend £25 and do it properly (and easier, and more reliably) with a router.

tom9980

Take the switch back, you need a router.

Tell us how you connect to the internet and which provider and someone will recommend something that will work much better and is far less hassle than using a switch.

Red_panda_4

Thanks for all of your quick replies. Now I know why I cannot connected with the internet. I do only have one networkcard, and as toasterman said only one connect each time as I use cable modem with NTL (called virgin media now). And the only way to work may as be_alright said would be to have the modem connected to a pc by a network card and then the pc connected to the switch along with the other PC's and use ICS. I have a spare computer which I can use it as modem PC or put the networkcard into my regular used one. But still dont know how to use ICS (and by the why what means ICS?):p ? Any guids, please? Or may should take your advoises to purchase a router :rolleyes: .

tom9980

definatley buy a router

http://www.digidave.co.uk/jshop/product.php?xProd=223&xSec=5

This is the sort of thing you need. Not sure if this has built in cable modem or not lots of them do for ADSL never messed around with cable.

Someone may recommend other routers that one was has 4 ethernet ports and wireless for just £30 so pretty good deal IMO.

---

Edit:

A cable router simply connects to the modem, or set-top box, that Virgin Media supplied you with. You can then connect computers to the router to share the broadband.

guess it depends on the setup someone who has virgin maybe can advise you much better.

weegie.geek

Much cheapness here if you're on a budget. http://www.dsldepot.co.uk/