How do I share the Internet connection?

Valeria · 07-19-2003, 08:15 AM

Greetings!
I'm a newbie therefore detailed answers are most appreciated

I have two laptops. One is running Mandrake 9.0 the other WinXP (which eventually will be substituted by Gentoo). I also posses a 4 ports hub/switch.
I would like to set up a network to share my Internet connection (LAN cable modem with a dynamic IP) in the following way:
when the machine no1is on-line the other can establish a connection too and the other way around.
I couldn't so far get my WinXP machine to automatically obtain the IP address (when the cable is plugged directly into the integrated MacPhyter PCI Adapter network card), no packages can be received, I do not know where the problem might lie...the other laptop (PCM CIA card) works fine.
Thank you in advance.
//Valeria

Mathieu · 07-19-2003, 08:43 AM

I don't understand how your network is setup.

Are the two laptops connected to the hub,
and the hub connected to the cable mode.

If so, then this will not work.
Your cable modem only has one IP, so only one system can be connected to it.

Does one of your laptops have two network cards ?

Valeria · 07-19-2003, 09:55 AM

that's exactly as you said. No, each of them has only 1 card but i could buy an additional PCM-CIA card if it helps
Now, why can't i get the IP when only my Win machine trying to get on-line?

Mathieu · 07-19-2003, 10:45 AM

You could try to connect your WinXP laptop directly to the cable modem in order to see if it can obtain the IP dynamically.

If you plan on only using one laptop at a time, you can consider not using the hub at all.

MooktaKiNG · 07-19-2003, 11:28 AM

you will need a dedicated router. Just get a small PC, doesn't have to be fast or anything. and setup www.smoothwall.net on it. Then you'll get everything (router, firewall etc etc).