Networking A7V8X

[plumbertom]

Hey guys,

Quick question, do I need a router or hub to network two computers on an A7V8X mother board with one cable modem also?

this is what it has for lan equipment

MCP integrated NVidia MAC + realtek BL PHY
MCP integrated 3 Com MAC + BroadCom AC 101L PHY

1394 2ports MCP-T integrated IEEE 1394a + realtek PHY 8801

Thanks

[pelly]

I believe WinXP has some built-in features that can handle that for you...( if I understand your question correctly )

:D

[poursoul]

If you are talking about just hooking the two comps together then all you need is a crossover cable. Just a normal cat 5 w/ the 1 & 3 and 2 & 6 pins switched.

If you are talking about hooking them up to the net then you can do it one of two ways. The first is use a hub or switch. Hook both of tour comps into it using normal cat 5's and you will have to use a crossover to hook the hub or switch to the cable modem.

The second way of doing this (if you own XP, NT, or 2000) is to do ICS, or internet connection sharing. Your main comp or server will have to have two network cards. If you go to Start --> Help and Support then do a search in the index for ICS then you will find out how to do it there according to your OS.

BTW you can also do ICS with a hub or switch, but that's just silly.

good luck :)

[plumbertom]

Sorry for the confusing question, I was in a hurry:)

Basically I have two questions.
Using the hardware that comes with the motherboard.

1. Can I network both computers together?
2. Can I get on the internet with both computers with one modem?

The manual that comes with this board is very plain and doesn't give you any help on hooking up any lans or networks.

thanks again all.

[Nephilim]

Yes, but you will need a hub.

Starting with the cable modem:

Run a cable from it to the first NIC on your mobo. Then run a cable from the second NIC to the uplink port on the hub. Plug all the other computers into the hub. On your machine, set the first NIC (the one plugged into the cable modem) to use Internet Connection Sharing and the firewall (in the NIC properties control panel). Done.

Now all the PCs should be able to access the internet, and each other, just fine (assuming they all have the same workgroup name and shared folders).

Just make sure all the other PCs on the network have their TCP/IP settings set to 'obtain IP address automatically' and same goes for DNS.

[The Baron]

You dont need a hub... you can hook one to the other with a crossover cable with one of the Ether ports and hook the other one up to the cable modem, and just use ICS.

[Nephilim]

Originally posted by =SSC=The Baron
You dont need a hub... you can hook one to the other with a crossover cable with one of the Ether ports and hook the other one up to the cable modem, and just use ICS.

But if you ever want more than one other PC on the network, then you will. Might as well get it out of the way. (Plus, they're cheap)

[The Baron]

Well yeah, but if he's never going to add another one (or he's broke), crossover cables are cheaper than the cheapest of hubs.

And he should get a switch, not a hub. ;)

[plumbertom]

Sorry for the confusing question, was kinda in a hurry.:)

Basically, I want to know if I can network both computers together and use the one cable modem for both. Just using the hardware that came with the Mother board?

I have one eithernet card installed in my old computer (existing)and I bought another eithernet card and a wired base station router. I have a couple RJ45 cables too. That was on the advise of a Staples empleyee. Don't know if that was good advise or not, I didn't open the new stuff yet.

[Nephilim]

Originally posted by =SSC=The Baron
And he should get a switch, not a hub. ;)

Why? A hub works just fine.

[The Baron]

Hub shares bandwidth between all ports, switch has full to every port. So, if he adds a lot of computers, it won't be a problem.

Plus the price difference is utterly neglegible in this day and age.

[stncttr908]

Do you have the A7N8X Deluxe or just the regular model? If you have the deluxe you can just use ICS since it already has the 2 ethernet ports.

[plumbertom]

Thanks guys for all the advice, I picked up a crossover cable on the way home from work today. Going to try it first, I don't plan on having any "lan parties" at least for now ;) The Computer/gun/fishing/reloading/archery/misc. storage room is getting pretty cramped as it is and I can't add on because I spent all my money on this damn computer!:)

[plumbertom]

A big THANK YOU to all the help thats been givin to me by you guys! I got alot of info on differant configurations which helped me pick the one best for me. I got both puters networked and hooked to the single modem. :) Next project adding the printer and scanner. Thats for another day, its time to play!
:D