I finally got the WinXP and 98se boxes networked, but I can't figure how to share my DSL internet connection. Both machines are hooked up to my hub, but only the WinXP box that is plugged into port 1 (the Win98 machine is plugged into port 2) gets the connection. Basically, whatever machine is plugged into port one gets the connection and the other doesn't (I've tried it with both machines). The DSL modem is of course plugged into the UPLINK port. My DSL account is dynamic IP if this makes a difference. Any help appreciated.

You need a Router, not a hub! all though it might be possible to use a hub if you reconfigure the XP machine to share its Internet connection!

Using a router lets all of your systems connect to the internet without using Internet Connection Sharing. If you have your systems networked the DSL plugs into the router and not a PC. Then the router connects to the PC's. They get IP addresses from the router and the router gets one from your ISP. All PC's connect full time with no other one on. The only DSL method that has problems is one where the DSL modem is a PCI card inside one of the PC's. I have installed systems where this type card is installed. If the person wants to connect more than one PC to the internet I inform them that the best bet is get an external modem and build the network around it. Richard Lyon

So I would plug the DSL modem into the router and then connect the different computers into the router as well? I wouldn't need to use a hub at all? (And then what exactly is a hub used for then?) Basically I would be hooked up like I am now but using a router instead of a hub, right?

the less cheap option is that you use 2 lan cards in xp machine or provide 2 ip addresses on the lan card interface in xp and enable internet connection sharing on that interface/lan card and in win98 machine just insert the gateway address in your win98 lan card's tcp/ip properties as the one you gave to your new interface and you are done. no need of buying a router. if u need further help mail me. Anmol Bedi BCA,CCNA.

I'd go with the router option described by Mr. Lyon myself. They aren't that expensive and are very easy to set up. Internet Connection Sharing wouldn't work unless you had two NIC's in the computer which is connected to port 1. One to connect to the internet with your leased IP address and one to connect to the internal network with a non-routable IP address. The difference between a router and a hub, in this case, is that the hub is dumb and can do nothing more than pass on information that it gets to all ports. The router that you'll get will also perform NAT and DHCP functions. These are critical in order to allow your internal network to communicate with the outside world without having to get a seperate outside IP address for each computer. The router will allow you to do many more things with your internal network in the future, if you so choose, than ICS will. Hosting an internet game, for example, is easier with a router and might be impossible without. Hope I haven't confused anyone, Zhora

>> I wouldn't need to use a hub at all? (And then what exactly is a hub used for then?) << A lot depends on the router you have. If the router only has one ouput port as mine has then you will need a hub or a switch to connect more than one computer. As most modern home routers have a switch built in, the hub is redundant. If you were just connection a Local Area Network without internet access then a hub would be sufficient. Stuart