This is probably easy- I have a pc with win2k which has 2 NIC's. One for the cable modem, and one to a hub with two other computers hooked in via ethernet. My questions: -if the machine with 2 nic's is acting as a server, do I need win2k server or will win2k pro do this? -can I have the server assign IP's the same way the cable modem did so I don't have to change the settings on the two clients? how? -is this configuration already a firewall, or do I need firewall software on the server? -would I be better off hooking up a printer to the server machine or to one of the client machines? -what are good resources to find out my networking questions?

I think you have found the best resource on the net. All that you have suggested is possible. The easiest way to share a cable modem is through the use of a router however they are a bit pricy. With your setup you only need to be paying for one IP from your ISP. Here are some of your answers: - Win 2k pro will do the job great - Yes the server can assign the IPs. I am a little fuzzy on this, but I believe when you set up Internet connection sharing on the 2k machine it gives you the option to use DHCP. The other option is to just set up static IP addresses within a certain range on all machines. - You have no firewall. Software does the trick. However if you want to spend $130 a linksys router has a firewall built in. - You can hook the printer up to any of them as long as file and print shareing is enabled.

Internet Connections Sharing - specifically (for W2K) http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/win2k.htm is a useful reference/tutorial source; should take you through it all... (courtesy of Helmig (http://www.wown.com) Other resources (for future ref...) http://www.practicallynetworked.com and even http://www.dslreports.com may be useful to browse through. Even though it is primarily a DSL resource, much of it is equally applicable to cable etc.; the hardware sections re 'routers and such' are worth a healthy browse...

another option is using Winproxy, which can also act as a DHCP server (30 day trial, then it's $70 to buy) Cheaper than a router, combine this with ZoneAlarm (for a firewall) as far as your printer, it shouldn't really matter. I have the same configuration you are talking about (well, almost but very close) and this is what I use...and it works great a GREAT resource at least for testing your security/firewall when it is setup is: https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 Using this configuration, nothing Got through my firewall according to this site

By the way, Zonealarm is free

I have just got bell high speed dsl internet. I have a pentium166 think pad with a network card in it.I have set up a network to my desktop 1.2 ghz with 2 nic cards.1 card is for my network and the other is for the dsl.When I try and connect through the hub the laptop tries to hook up to the modem but it won`t quite do it any help you can give me.I know I should be using a router but the cost is to high Thanks James