2 PCs
 

I know this has proberly been discused an awful lot but can somebody please explaint to me why you cant split a cable into two (like the telephone) and run two pcs on the internet

'cos each PC will only get half the information it was meant to? :disturbd:












sorry........:D

'cos you are given only one "address" - using 2 PC's (simultaneously) would need two addresses - unless you use a router which "pretends" to only be one address for more than one PC, or ICS - which is cheaper, but harder to set up.

<edit> Ramrod you're a naughty man:D

you can, but you need a specialised splitter called a router.

in simple terms...

A PC isn't like a phone where the connection only exists as you are talking on it. A pc while turned on communicates all the time. A lot of this while you aren't browsing or using a messenger is this

PC - You there?
Internet - Yup

when you are transferring data it becomes more complex

PC - "Thanks for data block 1"
Internet - "ok, here is 2"


ok, now if you link 2 machines the problem occurs (without a router that is)

PC1 - Thanks For block 1
Internet - Here comes block 2 then
PC2 - huh? what happened to block 1?
PC1 & Internet - Huh?
(this is GREATLY simplified and doesn't address IP address issues)

a router organises this properly

Internet - here is packet 1

Router - ok, PC 1 you wanted this, here you go....
PC1 Thanks

etc etc etc

what do the rouers look like as i have two YT4-E2-E2 which split one cable con into two will that do
my next question is does the cable from th box to the pc use all eight wires (ie are they all live if that is the case then i can use the two spare four to the next pc like on a standard network and is the ip address given to the comp or the set top box

A router generally looks like a box similar to your cable modem, with one input from the modem and 2/4/8/16/32+ outputs that can go to any other PC.

As for the cable _NO_ ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!! just to make that clear. Cat 5 carries 100BaseT on pins 1&2 for transmit +&- and 3&6 for recieve +&- for a patch cable. Pin 8 is gnd and the others are used for 1000baseT.

Regards,

Ben

An update
I have just phoned ntl to see if i can register more than one machine (mac address i belive) and you can is what i am told by shutting off the settop box and restarting the box and then starting the new connectged pc then going to an address to register my additional mac
I then can use my additional machine when i am finnished i plug my orrigional machine in and restart the box and away i go back to my orrigional machine
So i still dont understand why i cant split the cable and run two machines at the same time

I must admit, I've not seen the splitters that you've talked about before

http://hardwarecentral.dealtime.com/...tter_YT4_E2_E2

is this like some two port hub, or is it for spliting voice and data or something?

You can get a router for about £40-45 from you local computer store. I myself have got a Belkin 4 Port gateway Router, But there are many available.. Linkskys, Netgear.. etc

They generally contain 2/4/6... So forth, 'Ports' With which to connect each computer to.. (As addressed above)

The router assigns internal IP addresses to each computer.

IE..

So, In short.. the easiest thing to do, is buy yourself a router, whack the cable from the STB/Cable Modem into the WAN port on the router. Connect each computer to the other ports..via Cat 5 (RJ45) Cable. (You'l need network cards in each comp) This enables either computer to get access to the internet, simply through the router, You dont need the main computer switched on.

Like someone mentioned, ICS is also a option (Internet connection sharing).. But this is another matter.

Sorry if im being vague.. but im dying to get to dinner :D