A simple home network can be connected using
the following method if you have access to more than one IP address from your internet service provider. Some ISPs charge very little or nothing for multiple
static IP addresses. My ISP provides up to four IP addresses so I chose to use this method rather than setting
up proxy servers and having one computer with two network cards, not to mention saving money by not having to buy
extra software. It only takes minutes to set this up. A hub, some network interface cards and some NON-crossover
Ethernet cable is all you will need.
Here's how my home network is set up to the
Internet through a cable modem:
This home network of three computers (one Win98
and two Win95b) consists of a cable modem connected to the uplink port on a hub. From there, each computer is connected
to an open port on the hub and each has it's own IP address enabled in the network settings. All computers can
access the Internet through their own NICs (Network Interface Cards) - one in each computer - which are all bound
to the TCP/IP and NetBEUI
protocols.
TCP/IP is NOT bound to anything and NetBIOS over
TCP/IP in NOT enabled. Windows will think you are nuts for not binding anything to TCP/IP, and will ask you, "You
have not selected any drivers to bind with. Would you like to select one now? ". Just say no.
NetBEUI is bound to file and print sharing and client for Microsoft networks. This keeps your network from becoming
part of the Internet and is necessary for security. Use the Windows Logon when setting up the Primary Network Logon
for the network settings in the control panel. This is an easy and effective means to have a LAN while maintaining
security. Each computer has access to the Internet and each computer can access each other's drives through the
network neighbourhood. It's still advised to have a good firewall program installed on each computer. |
xShadow