Simple Home Networking Query

Hello!

I have 2 computers, one 1.8ghz, one 600mhz. I have one network card (PCI). I connect to the internet with a usb-ethernet-adapter. I want to network the two computers, so they can both access the internet (cable internet) AND share files between themselves.

Would I just need to buy one more network card (10/100) and a cat 5 cable? Then I just hook them up and it will work? I'm a bit confused!

well if you don't wanna purchase a router, and just wanna set up one of your
boxes as a router, then yes you can pop another NIC in one of them machines
and follow the IP-MASQ howto to accomplish that ..

the box as the router is usable in X and that though?

and it's all about economic efficiency.. why purchase a router if I can set my own up?

.... what I'm asking is if the host linux machine needs to be dedicated.. or can it, for example, run X and play games while acting as a router?

yes, you can just keep on using your station while it's doing routing traffic. I use a P66 for that and it's perfectly responsive under X while routing internet traffic.

thanks! off to buy a crossover cable (I bought a patch by mistake..) cost me $20 (AUD), off to try exchange it...

$20 for a patch cable! Your paying 10 times to much. I guess the VAT taxes really creep up the prices!