of the hardware gurus here. I'm on DSL, and it plugs into the network port on my CPU... now I have an extra comp that I'd like to use for the more mundane stuff, letters, site coding, psp, little piddly stuff, so that Amapi, Vue, Bryce, Cinema, and Carrara Studio can use the newer one(I have 120GB harddrive and a 2GB ram, and I'm still running out of space).. I bought a network card for the older comp and found I'd need to use the netwk port in the back of the newer comp which currently has the DSL plugged into it to be able to netwk the two comps together. So the question is, how do I netwk the two computers together and still have a port for the DSL? It's been awhile since I had to fool with hardware stuff(20yrs) so I'm a little dim on what to do, no really, I'm very dim on how to get this to work....correctly, that is....;

One word; "Router". I do exactly what you are talking about now with my PC and my girlfriends. Both our PC's can use the same internet connection, and are networked together, so we can share files, and I can use her printer, etc, etc. We use a cable modem, but it is the same exact answer, a router. Usually around $25-$40+ AgentSmith

feh..cross-posted in advance..you set up the router from wall to the router, router to pc, and other cables if you're going that way, or wireless. We picked up a wireless router for about $50 at Wally world (walmart), and a wireless card for my PC for about the same price. If you go wireless, make sure you set encryption on the router, or any script-kiddie or warez-hacker can use your Internet connection for free..
So far it works fine, I'm in one room, the router's in the other, and as soon as the missus share's her password with me..I'll probably get file and print sharing up..;) good luck.

Thanks...=)

"Need to pick your brains" In my case, Zhann, it's slim pickings, LOL.

ADSL wireless routers are the best invention since eh wired routers. We use a 2wire one. Can't sing their praises enough. OK, I don'thave much experience. But it really was a case of plugging it in and telling the PC the code of the router and it conected to the net itself! I've never had plug and play plug and play so quickly. AND file and printer sharing worked too. AND I can sit in the garden and surf. Life is good.

drawbridgep, sounds cool, I'll check into it

You might also want to consider a router with a print server onboard (it'll still be a tiny box). That way any PC attached to the router can print when the other PCs are switched off.

Ooooo...that would be nice. My PC is ALWAYS on...my girlfriends is mostly off, and it is her printer... AS

I've set up the router config for a few people. A wireless router is also a nice option. A bit more expensive but less work running N-cable. We have 3 units running here at home.(wired)

Any one heard of the network that works through the phone line? SO if you have an ext in the bedroom say, you can use existing wire. I think there's a ring main version too.

Routers with print servers seem to be particularly expensive though compared to those without. What I did was put together a 486dx120 machine out of spare parts I had lying around, this is setup as a linux firewall and print server and is always on (it's in the garage out of the way). Modem connects to firewall, firewall connects to router and printer, everything else speaks to the router (currently a wired one, but that will change soon)....

The old-box/Linux method is a good way to go if you have the skills and inclination. There are web pages that tell you how to use the free programs on offer. The hardware firewall aspect is so obvious I forgot to mention it. It's definitely worth paying the extra for a router with proper firewall capability.

Well....I will say it again....Router...I got one but dont use it,Instead I just whip out the 80 foot cable and connect my 3D machine to the internet only when I need to update WinDo$e and my 3D programs...I use a POS Pentium 350MhZ Running Win98SE to connect to the internet(Havent had a virus since about 4 months after XP came out)Safer that way...

Like everyone else has said... Router... LOL. If possible, find one that lets you spoof a Mac address (I think that's what its called. Nothing to do with Macintoshes. Not at home right now, so I can't check.) Some cable/DSL places are kinda funny about how many computers they'll let use the modem. Being able to spoof the primary computer's address is a neat workaround. :) Also, if you have a laptop or don't like running wires everywhere - consider getting a router with wireless ability. That way you can browse the web and enjoy the outdoors at the same time (or watch TV while browsing on the laptop.) And quite a few routers also have some pretty good firewall ability too. So if you don't have a software one, a router can add security to a home system if configured properly. It's well worth the cost.

Hmmmmmmm, do you guys think I should maybe use a router? with a print server onboard?....;)

Attached Link: http://www.2wire.com

I have a DSL router running to a 5 port hub with 4 computers running on it. I also have a block of static IP addresses which allows each computer to have it's own ip address rather than having to mess around with Network Address Translation (NAT) and spoofing . And as Pauljs75 said a router can be quite beneficial for added security if your router has a built in firewall and you have it configured properly. A print server on board? Might not be a bad idea if you plan on printing from more than one computer. Personal need/choice I guess.

There will be only the two computers, the DSL gizmo(box) also has a firewall, so that's nice, let me check out what's avaiable and I can afford, then I might have you guys do me a wiring schematic....