Newbie on networking

[CLarKEY]

yeah im new 2 the whole networkin thing and im jus about 2 set up a littke home network only 2 computers and im wonderin if there is ne tips ne one might have 4 me before i start on networkin my computers, i am workin on my A+ certification so i kinda know wut im doin and i think i have it all figured out but maybe someone has some experience and can point me in the right direction, ne help would b greatly appreciated

[ICeMaN]

Can ya give us some more information? Like what OS's are the two computers running, do you have broadband, and if so what kind of connection do you have, are you planning on using one computer as a server to the other?

If you're using them both for internet access with DSL or Cable access, then I'd suggest getting a router with an integrated switch. It's the easiest, most straightforward way to get it going. You can share files and printers across your network and still have both machines access the internet.

[goldfish]

Oses would definatley help. If you already have a DSL modem or cabel modem, then (unless its built in) you're unlikeley to be able to share the connection. If you want a straightforward connection, go and get a crossover cable (that is, presuming you have Ethernet NICs in both machines) And that will be your hardware sorted. If you want to share an internet connection, thats where it gets a bit sticky for you unless you have a router.

Once you post some more info we can help you better :D

[CLarKEY]

-sorry bout the not enough info thing im not much into networking yet .
-oh k i think im gonna run one as a server itz;
a dell w/ a pentium 4 2.4ghz 512 pc 800 rdram windows xp home.
-the other is a pos compaq with an amd k6 350mhz 128 sdram windows 98,
-both have nics
-i have a cable modem but not built in it sits right next 2 the computer,
-and yeah i want 2 share my internet connection, between the 2 computers,
-i have like all the cabling and a hub is there ne thing else i absolutly need?
-i think i got everything cuz a networking starter kit has ya know a couple nics and a hub and i got all those so i think i got everything.
-is a hub the same thing as a router?
- all i really need 2 share is the internet connection and a cdrom drive.
-if i left ne thing out jus lemme know
- thanx 4 all the help!!!!:)

[gigs_42]

If you want to know the difference between hubs, switches and routers, http://www.dslreports.com/faq/5456

As for having everything you need, I'm not quite sure...

I'm under the impression that since you're only hooking up two computers, you should only need a crossover cable for them to talk to each other. It is useful to have a hub if you're planning on connecting more computers in the future, otherwise, the hub is a waste of money :(

To share your cable connection (since you don't have a true router) you will have to set up xp to do this. Sounds like you know what you're doing there, but this will probably slow down that computer if you're on the other one very much since all requests will be running through it.

This is the advantage of a true router; instead of keeping the cable modem plugged into your dell and running the connection through it, you plug the cable modem into the router itself, then both of your computers will send their requests to the router for the internet. You can share files and whatever else with this setup, as well.

sorry if this is a little long winded. hope it helped

[CLarKEY]

yeha i got a hub because in a few months im gonna b buildin myself a new computer and actually my hub is a switch to get technical thanx 4 the reference to that site, and i found one that might help if neone else looks at this its http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network6.htm
from wut i have learne a router connects seperate networks and my internet should connect 2 my switch then the switch should also connect to the 2 computers, i dont knwo if this is right but this is what i am gettin from all the info i have looked up. im gonna make an attachment kinda showing what the connections should look like, so tell me if it looks right
thanx a million

[gigs_42]

looks perfect! its just like the one I've got hooked up here, only I'm using a Cable/DSL router instead of a switch

best of luck to you

[CLarKEY]

thanx gigs_42, i was hoping 2 have my network setup 2day but i found out when i got home from school that 2day is presidents day and theres no mail so i was ticked , but now i feel more comfortable setting up a network. once again thanx.