"Brandon" <Brandon@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:96712F90-E4AE-497D-B7C3-FBD8109AD311@xxxxxx
>I have a broadband modem connected to one port in my switch, my laptop
> running xp to another port, and my desktop running vista in a 3rd.
>
> "Bob F." wrote:
>
>> "Brandon" <Brandon@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:8511DD20-36DD-49FB-9639-1F77B51111F6@xxxxxx
>> > Is it possible to use an ethernet switch to connect a computer running
>> > vista
>> > with a computer running xp and have them be able to share the internet?
>> > I've
>> > been pulling my hair out trying to get this to work. If anyone has done
>> > this
>> > or has suggestions, please help! >>
>>
>> Yes that's what I and many are doing. How are you wired, so to speak.
>>
>> --
>> BobF.
>> ok...hmmm...we're missing a piece. You actually can get this configuration
to work but you can end with with people searching through your local
network from outside. So what you need is a Router with NAT and DHCP
services built into it. NAT is something like a firewall to keep unwanted
traffic out and the DHCP will assign local addresses to each computer.
Makes things a lot easy to set up. I use a Linksys WRT54GS. It is
connected between the modem and Ethernet switch. You need to get something
like this model. Mine has wireless also. These are cheap and can be gotten
at Best Buy. If I was going to get a new one, I'd get a Linksys WRT300N or
equivalent. You should consider that setup. Then we can go from there.
--
BobF.