could anyone possibly simplify the hooking up of two computers using a router and ethernet cards which i have already purchased. also which computer should be designated as the host...thanks

 

Physically hooking up the computers is simple you just plug your patch cord into the router and then into the network card for each computer. Be sure and plug the cables into the correct ports on the router. One of the ports is usually designated as an uplink port and is only used for connecting one router to another.

Routers such as cable/dsl routers have become a very common way to connect multiple computers and allow internet sharing they are fairly easy to configure and usually come with very good documentation. These routers can also act as your DHCP server and distribute ip address for the computers on the network. On the network computers you just specify “Obtain IP address automatically” and the router will do the rest. If you are setting up a peer-to-peer network like “file and print sharing” that comes with windows and using your router as a dhcp server you don’t need to designate a computer as the host, all computers are treated equally.

I hope this helps, I’m not sure what else I can tell you with out knowing what type of operating system and router you are using.

 

Neither machine would be a "host" using the configuration your trying to set up. The router should have complete instructions on how to set up your network. Visit
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/ for good networking info.

 

Tell me what you have… OS, memory, router type? With a router there will be no server. Are you on DSL or Cable? If not then the router won’t work with dialup. I believe there is something like a router for dialup but have never seen one. If you on dialup you will need NIC’s in both machines, Internet Connection Sharing installed and set your network up via 98 Network Neighborhood. If your on DSL etc stick a NIC card in each machine, according to which router you have get into it’s settings and install your username and password and set the keep alive for about 15 seconds. Set both machines up to Automatically retrieve IP and DNS numbers. The router will take care of the rest.

 

thanks for all your information it was a great help... you are the greatest