I have two computers and i want to set up a home network between them. I have no clue how to do this(How do i do it?). The purpose of this would be to share an internet connection so both computers could go online at the same time using optimum online from cablevision (cable modem) . I also have some questions: 1. How would i set up the computers so they could go online at the same time? 2. Do i need to have a firewall (what for)? 3. Do the two computers both have the same IP address (do they always have the same IP or does it change everytime i go online?) Please help!

If your ISP allows you to have multipule ips (usually at a extra cost) all you would need to do is to hook up your cable modem to a hub & from there both of your machines straight in ! Each machine will have a seperate different IP address ! IF NOT what you can do is have a machine act as a firewall (cheap solution) which is usually acheived by installing a second NETWORK card into the main machine & running some kind of nating (network address translation) software / proxy software (depending on your needs) ~ There are a number of sites out there which will walk you through doing so.. Try this one : http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/sharing.htm Goodluck!

Linksys Home Network in a box (10/100 ethernet). It comes with 2 NICs, a hub, 2 15'patch cords, and LAN Bridge software to share the internet connection. The books and software make it very simple to setup.

Or you could try ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) which takes 2 minutes to set up.

ICS will not work with a cable modem. I have tried repeatedly, to no avail. I am useing a USB Netmate 2. ICS does not see this as a connection to the internet. However it does see it as my network device.