Cable/DSL Router

I just bought a cable/dsl router for my home. Is there only one way for me to network two pcs? XP said something about having other computers connect to the internet through 1 computer. (referring to a server?) I am new to this whole thing. Anyhow I have it working now, can print on network printers and the like. I have the computer I am on attached to the router than the router is attached to the modem. From the router a line goes to the other computer on the network. Is this the best setup? The only setup?

Yeah, that's probably the most efficient setup : WAN port on the Router to the modem, the two computers plugged into the router. Simple and as you found out, very effective.

http://members.home.net/mpeton/images/Basic.jpg

Ok, I drew up a simple picture of what you are talking about. As you can see, all the computers are connected through the router, with the router connected to the modem. Because this is a router, internet sharing is available. If a switch or a hub was used instead of the more expensive router, then internet connection sharing Could be possible, however, only one computer could be on at a time. This is because most cable internet companys require the computer name to be set to a specific name, and no two computers can have the same name on a network.

There are other many, many different ways to network computers together, but this is a very simple, network, called Peer-to-peer. Depending on your computer settings, everyone can talk to everyone, but there is no File Sharing, no Email server, or internet servers, ect...

[quote]Originally posted by Quiet Thunder:
[QBDepending on your computer settings, everyone can talk to everyone, but there is no File Sharing, no Email server, or internet servers, ect...[/QB]<hr></blockquote>

That's not completly true. With peer to peer networking you can setup file sharing and you could use one of the computers to act as an e-mail server (with the right software). For the most part the router is the better way to go. It's easier, faster and safer than many of the other options available.