Static Ip configuration

I have a static Ip address at work for my laptop. I was thinking of buying a hub or switch, anything that would allow me to split my current setup from one connection to several different network connections. The question is: 'Can this be done?'. The main reason I want to do this is because I work as an in house engineer, but on occasion, some of the field engineers stop by my office and connect to the internet. As of now, they all have to use the phone line, but I have a T1 connection and I would like to share it. Thanks in advance for any help.

you may be able to buy a router that you can configure it to use that static ip address and basically dhcp from the router, maybe even a wireless router with a 4 port switch like a linksys??? or another brand......

if this is at your work then i would talk to you sysadmin...some might frown on it.
of if it's your home, then yah pick up a router, they are less the 100$ and are the fastest way to do this...there is a slower way (Internet Connection Shareing), to configure, you would have to buy a nic and a hub, but i think that your best bet would be a router....

What they said, you need a router. A hub/switch will split the physical connection, but you still have to have something routing data between the existing network (with your static IP) and the new network (the switch you want to add on). This will work exactly the same as sharing a cable or DSL connection, so look for anything labelled as "internet connection sharing" or "broadband router"...

Note that if you do this, the router gets the static IP, and the other PCs (including yours) get NAT-ed IPs on the internal side of the router. If you run any servers or use other direct connections (IM filesharing, etc.), you'll need to set up the router to forward certain ports to certain PCs. Some connections simply won't work over a NAT-ed connection too. If it's just for the occasional buddy to check their email and hop on the web for a bit, it might be easier to get a second NIC for your PC, hook it to a hub, and use Windows ICS. Your existing NIC stays exactly the same, so your own access won't be affected at all. Should be a little cheaper than a hardware router too.

Also, check with the sysadmin as was stated. They may be able to just set up IPs for the other PCs. Then all you'd have to do is split the physical connection with a hub, rather than monkeying with all this routing stuff.

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Originally posted by InvisiBill
Also, check with the sysadmin as was stated. They may be able to just set up IPs for the other PCs. Then all you'd have to do is split the physical connection with a hub, rather than monkeying with all this routing stuff.

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What's wrong with "Monkeying"???!!!!! that's why we all have jobs!!!!:D

Ok, I think I'm gonna get the router and configure it that way. The other way-using windows internet sharing sounds nice, but I have a laptop with a built in nic, and i don't necessarily want to add another one through the card slots.

P.S. and no offense to any windrivers.com users: SCREW THE ADMINS, I'M GONNA MONKEY AROUND WITH THE NETWORK, WO HOOO. :p :D :rolleyes: