network switch???

[wootmachine9000]

ok, so I'm gonna keep this short-I have two computers here at college and one network jack. The issue becomes obvious I'm sure: How can I connect them both to the network? After looking around I'm still a bit lost but I think maybe this would do it for me.

Other recommendations are welcome (and appreciated). I'm basically looking for fast and decently cheap, also I want it to be ethernet and not usb.

Thanks

Jeff

[wootmachine9000]

I forgot to mention, I'm mostly worried about them both having internet access, but I would like to be able to setup file sharing between them if possible (not sure if the switch I linked to can do that or not).

[levi.rogers]

either that or a router.

[johnwill]

I'd use a router, since you probably don't want your shares accessible to anyone on that LAN segment.

[wootmachine9000]

Can you explain that a bit more please? I read somewhere last night (can't find it now) that a switch would accomplish this, and along with the reply on the thread earlier I sort of already got one.

[levi.rogers]

I agree with johnwill that the ideal solution is a router as it will segment your personal network off from the whole school's network. However, as I said before a switch would work, but as johnwill said that will leave your shares open to everyone else on the schools net.

[wootmachine9000]

Ok so if i rma (which I probably will) does the router I get need to have anything special in order that the data won't be seen as far as like in the protocols list or whatever (I know nothing of networking).

[wootmachine9000]

I found this one. It seems good, to me at least. The speed is slower than the switch but I'm not entirely sure how that works into the equation anyways.
I don't know what any of the protocols, security, or standards mean either but that one seems to have a lot of them.

So the question becomes: Will this allow for a sharing of files and the internet connection between the pc's w/o data being visible to everone?

[wootmachine9000]

how about this one? It's extra cheap and that's cool. I'm not sure what to look for as far as features and speed are concerned so recommendations are welcome too.

Thanks again.

Jeff

[johnwill]

Either of those should do the job just fine.

[bilbus]

use a switch.

you are probaly already on a NAT network, no point in natting again.

[johnwill]

See the previous comments about security.

[afterhours]

Originally Posted by bilbus

use a switch.

you are probaly already on a NAT network, no point in natting again.

wrong. anyone else on that subnet can pawn his machine in no time. He's unfamiliar with the differences between switches and routers -- and he wants to do file sharing. He'll be opening up ports on either machine that others would love to exploit. NAT isn't exactly foolproof, but it's one layer deeper that he won't have quite such an easy time.

Buy a linksys four port router for $40. plug both machines into the lan ports, and the wan port into your dorm wall. do not use DMZ. if you are a gamer, hire a CS major to come over and config opening the required ports -- it's easy, but if you are unfamiliar with this equipment, hire someone who is.

you'd do well to learn a bit about firewalls while you are at it. or perhaps get a Mac. They do all of your school work well and if you have to game, you can boot in XP or Vista. With the Mac OS, you'd be more protected than in Windows with your level of comfort.

[bilbus]

I was refering to the problems caused by double natting.

[johnwill]

Originally Posted by bilbus

I was refering to the problems caused by double natting.

Since he has no control of port forwarding on the NAT layer for the college network, please explain what problems you foresee? Frankly, I can't think of any issues that will come up. Any required incoming ports on the college network will already be forwarded to his location, so that's not an issue.

[wootmachine9000]

Thanks for the advice.

[wootmachine9000]

Ok, a friend of mine has a different, but still pretty sweet setup. He took his server and mapped it as a network drive, then he can access with his laptop by typing \\his server ip in the run window. I did this, and found out I could share files this way too-is this a bad way to do it? Cause if not, perhaps I'll just get keep the switch when it arrives (comes tomorrow I think) and use it just to share the internet connection.

Just a thought.

Thanks for everything so far.

Jeff

[wootmachine9000]

If I do end up using the switch will people see my hd's on the network (assuming I don't share files)?

[johnwill]

If you don't enable file/print sharing, they won't see that. However, you'll want a good firewall running, because you'll be exposed to anyone that wants to take a run at the machine.