How should I set up my home network?

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You want this article: http://ask-leo.com/can_i_network_two_computers_with_just_a_cable.html

Can you network two desktops one with Win ME and one w/ Win 98se with a single phone line? If so how could I do that I really don;t want to buy network cards and network cables

Phone line: no. 2 network cards: yes. That's this article: http://ask-leo.com/can_i_network_two_computers_with_just_a_cable.html

I have a Motorola surfboard 5100 cable modem, connected to NTL (UK).
One pc connects via the usb port, the other via the LAN port, as the userguide shows.
I can't seem to connect both PC's to the internet at once, if one connects the other drops out. I assumed the SB5100 would automatically assign individual addresses to each PC? Any ideas on how to cure? Probably something in the settings I've got wrong..... Thanks in anticipation, Col

That modem supports one OR the other, but not both at the same time. You probably need to add a router to your mix, as described in the article.

Clarification: your ISP probably supports only one connection. In either case adding a router is the appropriate solution.

Here's the FAQ from motorola: http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/sb_faq.html#p24

Thanks for your prompt replies, I also asked Motorola support this question and got the following reply:

"Colin,
The reason it drops is because you only have one IP address associated to the modem, it cannot split the IP, you would need a router in order to accomplish this. The modem only supports sharing files between the 2 PCs, not internet connection, the manual never states that."

I must admit it isn't that clear in the manual about file sharing being the only cross-port feature..... I'm off to sort out a router.
Hope this clarifies things for others using the Motorola SB5100 cable modem (I suppose it never did use the word 'router').
Thanks again,
Colin

That modem supports one OR the other, but not both at the same time. You probably need to add a router to your mix, as described in the article
Motorola surfboard 5100 cable modem
it does dual feed 2 ip address's 2 separate networks

The Motorola SB5100 is able to give 2 or even more connections. I have my SB5100 hooked up to my main computer via USB and shared my internet line in windows.
This provides internet acces to my other computer via my ethernet card.

Not an expert on this, but you "main" computers ip on the ethernet adapter looks like a LAN ip eg. 192.168.0.1
That ip is used to make a gateway on the "second" computer that is routed through windows.
So on the "second" computer my settings look like this:
IP: 192.168.0.(2-255)
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1 (Main computers ip on the ethernet adapter)

But im going to invest in a router so i don't have to have my main machine turned on for the second computer to access the internet.

listen if u buy a router and all ready have had your computer connected directly to a modem and it doesnt work when u connect the router go to run and type winipcfg then click relase all then renew all should work fine

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