PC -> PC -> Router -> Modem

[AndrewCharron]

Hello,

I currently have a home network set up on my D-Link Router. We have 4 PCs wired in, and 2 (+ laptops) on wireless. Now I built another PC and we're 2 floors away. I installed an older D-Link Ethernet card into my PC, which also has an onboard NIC that goes to the router. Since there are no plugs left on the router, and we're too far for a decent wireless connection (~40% in this room), heres my plan:

I already own a crossover cable. I was planning on going from the second PCs onboard NIC to the D-LInk card in my main PC. Then the main PCs onboard nic to the router. I am using a crossover cable rather than a regular cat5e because (AFAIK) thats what is supposed to be used.

Now, when the PC is done installing windows, (2nd PC is XP Pro x64, 1st is XP Pro SP2), I will go on the first PC, properties for Local Connection 1, and set "Allow others to connect through this PC", then set up the second PC via the connection wizard to "Connect through another PC".

Now, I did read through the FAQ and as far as I can tell nothing is relivant to this case (The crossover cable FAQ entry was close, but it didnt specify weither this worked with internet as well).

Will this work? Is there a flaw with my plan? I am going to test myself, but windows is still installing for another 30 minutes.

[Pabuchok]

Your question is a little tough to follow. It sounds like there is already a computer near your new one that has an ethernet connection, but you have no more ports on your router. If there in an existing cable near the new computer, just slap a switch on it and call it a day!

[AndrewCharron]

I dont have a switch, nor do I want to buy one unless I have to. Yes, I have 1 PC hooked up tpo the router like normal, all is fine. I have a second PC I want to hook up to the internet, but the router is full and wireless doesnt work. So I installed another ethernet card in my PC, and hooked them together with a crossover cable. How do I set it uo to work?

I just tried my way and it doesnt work. I cant turn on ICS because it says it needs to set the IP to 192.168.0.1, but thats the address of my router. Any ideas?

[Pabuchok]

None at all. Ive removed ICS from all of my comps here, so cant even play with it. Last time was about 6 years ago with Win 98 and two computers/ 1 dialup.

The IP of your router can be changed, and Im sure theres an option in Windows/ICS to change that IPs of server/client.

Disadvanteges with your idea, both computers will always have to be on. Higher latency, problems with ICS in general.

Switch is the best option, and a 4 port can be had for as little as $10 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817111489 .

Take the cat-5 cable out of your pc, connect to your uplink/autosensing port on the switch, connect a cable to each pc, BAM! yer done.

[AndrewCharron]

Im not worried about both being on, the point is so that me and my brother can play some games online at the same time in the same room. Im not sure if I can easily change the IP of the router, since some of the other PCs arent mine and are set up to a static router address, so I cant get those changed.

By the way, I cant buy from newegg (Canada), and locally switches sell for $40, which I dont have because its christmas time.

[AndrewCharron]

I got it working! :)

What I had to do (After I found this out on a longer google search) is select both LAN connections and select "Create Bridge".

Now to test it to see if I can still play games over it. Thanks for your help anyways.

[moetop]

Just for future readers this is a easy to take advantage of that second NIC in your PC. This is also a really good way to kill a network if not done properly. If you have a wireless and wired connection to the same network doing this will most likely result in a broadcast storm. Doing it on a corporate network is even worse, and yes I have seen this first hand.

Just be careful and understand it is a bridge between 2 seperate interfaces, and not to create a loop in your topology.

[AndrewCharron]

I dont see a way for there to be a loop unless I install another network interface in the second PC.

By the way, there appears to be a problem playing games on a network bridge, they wont connect to the same servers.