Broadband internet connection

[edhesketh]

Can you connect multiple pcs to the internet at the same time with a standard broadband internet connection?

[moonacre]

Yes - just create a network with one machine connected to the internet plus internet sharing software such as Windows ICS or Sygate.

[Joanne-G]

Yes, I do, but my broadband company dosn't like it! I use a proxy server and hardware firewall as well, you can't be too careful! In all our house has 5 PC's and a laptop all networked and all on line 24/7

[edhesketh]

cheers. Do you actually need to link up all the computers with cables to create a network?

[Cactus]

Hi, to share a broadband internet connection on several PCs, you need a Network Hub, 2 Ethernet cards and 2 cables. You can get network starter kits for about �30 that include all of these, although it's not all that easy to set up unless you know what you're doing. Correct me if i'm wrong anybody (and i may well be) but i think you can actually share broadband without actually networking the PCs. You need what is called a "Broadband Router", and it's a bit like a network hub but it splits just your internet traffic between several PCs. It might just be better to network though, as it does have it's advantages such as file and printer sharing, and of course the odd game of Counterstrike over a LAN. ;)

[Metaphysical]

A network isn't really needed. As 'Cactus' said a Broadband Router will do the trick. Your broadband line goes into the router and then splits off to each PC (each PC will need a LAN port). I am with NTL so I used the router on the following link:

It target=_blank>http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005KAC
7/qid=1037027140/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1_1/026-4517312-9714831

It took some time to set up, but works great (it actually shares the bandwidth between all PC's).

[edhesketh]

cheers for your help guys