I want to share internet connection and printer between two computers. But I am a novice and don’t know how to do it. Let me explain my problem : An internet connection has been provided in our office. The wire of this connection has been connected to a Ethernet switch (having 8 sockets ). Three computers have been connected to this Ethernet Switch via their LAN card (using cross over cable). All of them have been assigned separate IP address. As of now 4 sockets are free on the switch. Now what I want is to use the Internet connection to a fourth computer. There are many doubts in my mind which are : (1) I don’t know what kind of connection has been provided at our office. Since a single cable has been connected to an Ethernet switch (which in turn is providing connection to 3 computers all of which are having different IP addresses), does it indicate a single connection being shared on three computers or does it mean that three internet connections have been wired through a single cable and thereafter separated through the ethernet switch ? (2) I want to connect a fourth computer to internet. Should I use a crossover cable and connect it’s one end to one of the free socket of Ethernet Switch and connect it’s other end to the LAN Card socket of this fourth Computer. Will it be that easy? Or shall I need a properly assigned IP address for this computer also. (3) Since I am not in a position to secure a separate IP connection for this computer. Can I assign a proxy IP on my own. Or if that is not possible can I share a connection with one of the three PCs which are having a connection ? If yes, how? (4) I have read that two PCs can be connected by using Ethernet crossover cables. But I think for that to happen, both the LAN Card socket should be free so as to insert the Crossover wire’s jack into them. But in my case the LAN card socket of the computers (all the three PCs having internet ) is being used to connect them to Ethernet switch. In such case how can I connect any of these PC to the fourth PC (the one whom I want to connect to internet). I shall be highly obliged if anybody can give some suggestion/opinion on the problem.

I never used a crossover cable between a PC and a switch so I don't think they are crossover cables. They should be cat5 cables. If the PCs are getting IP addresses from a DHCP server, then the 4th one should get one too. If they are static IP addresses, then you would have to assign one to it. Add the printer after you establish a connection.

"An internet connection has been provided in our office. The wire of this connection has been connected to a Ethernet switch " Stop right there. You need a router which you can get cheap these days. Highly recommend you disconnect internet from the switch before your pcs are hacked or port trojan infected. You are naked on the internet. A router will provide NAT so you will have as many ip addresses as you need. Give a person a fish, they eat for a day. Suggest they internet search and they learn a skill for a lifetime.

1. You need to find out before you connect it. It may or may not be an ethernet connection. In any case you would need some connection info. 2. Most people use a Patch cable if the (and it almost always does) switch has an X by the port number. Most computers and switches can determine how to auto config the port for either cable. Try what you have. Patch cables are usually much easier to get and a bit cheaper. 3. There are plenty of ways to help protect you system. The BEST is to not connect at all. Other choices are routers (as above), routers made from linux boxes too, and using a well protected computer to run a proxy application to share the connection. Again the best solution is to not connect all the computers. If you must then consider reading about "Best Practices" to help protect your data. 4. Depends, a switch shares the lan between the systems. Also a network adapter in the computer can act as more than one interface with some settings. I suggest that you keep your system lan off the wan and then get an old computer to let people do whatever on connected to the net. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you goober.

You said "Since a single cable has been connected to an Ethernet switch (which in turn is providing connection to 3 computers all of which are having different IP addresses)," It sounds to me that what you have there is a Hub and not a Switch. In which case, this statement "does it indicate a single connection being shared on three computers or does it mean that three internet connections have been wired through a single cable and thereafter separated through the ethernet switch" has already been answered. So, before any of the other questions are addressed, can you confirm that what you have is a Hub and not a Switch? Life is more painless for those who are brainless.

I double check the switch, It's Surecom EP808SX 8 port mini switch. On many websites it is described as mini switch hub. Here is what it can do : "Supports 8 10/100Mbps auto-detect Half/Full duplex switch ports with TX/RX interfaces-Dual-Speed mode for large Dual-Speed Hub application through 100M backbone bandwidth between chip-Supports store and forward architecture and performs forwarding " Taken from this website http://www.compsmart.ca/onlineshopp... It appears that it's a mini switch hub. So kindly advise me what should I do ? Thanks