2 computers 2 network cards 1

[madonnac]

OK - current setup:

2 computers connecting to cable modem via dumb hub (can't afford a 'proper' router), using one network card each

the other network card in each machine is to be connected via crossover cable, to allow file sharing - but, when the cable gets connected, the connection to the internet is lost, and neither computer sees the internet

Settings for cable modem NIC is via DHCP
settings for local network NIC is 192.168.0.X
setup is XPPro on both machines, and all the right drivers are installed for both NICs

Any ideas on how to get the machines to talk to each other and still have internet access?

 

[Marcs41]

You cannot do that with a 'dumb' router as your cable modem only issues 1 IP address, so when you connect the second one, you get a conflict and get kicked.
Use ICS or similar on 1 PC, and connect 1 NIC to the cable, the other NIC is your LAN, so put the Hub there and connect PC2 trough that one with a standard UTP cable. Or, dump the hub and connect PC2 with the crossover. You will then hat 1 spare hub and 1 spare NIC.
Or ..start saving for another router

 

[madonnac]

We have 2 IPs assigned by the Cable profider - so no problem with either machine getting on the internet - just have a problem when I try to connect the 2 machines to each other using a crossover cable

 

[Marcs41]

O, sorry misunderstood that.
Well, is the IP address you get from the ISP by any chance also 192.168.0.x ?
If so, remap your LAN addresses to 10.0.0.x or so.

 

[madonnac]

IP address from cable company is 12.x.x.x (both machines in a B class subnet)

 

[Marcs41]

I am trying to figure that one out.
So, yout 2 PC's get a 12.x.x.x address or is it the WANIP that is 12.x.x.x ?
Better check when connected (with ipconfig /all or on the support tab in de Lan connection.
It may not apply for you, but here (Europe) the internal address from the hub become 192.168.x.x

 

[madonnac]

ip given to machine from cable company 12.x.x.x
ip of cable modem 192.168.1.1

ip of machine1 on other network card set to 192.168.0.1, subnet 255.255.255.0 gateway 192.168.0.1

ip of machine2 on other network card set to 192.168.0.10, subnet 255.255.255.0 gateway 192.168.0.1


should I put cable DNS addresses in the DNS for the peer-to-peer network or leave it blank?

perhaps having 192.168.0.1 on one machine is confusing XP, making it think it might be a gateway/ICS machine (which it isnt)?

maybe the gateway address on the machines should be set to something else? (Thats about all I can think of at the moment - maybe you have more pointers)

 

[Marcs41]

aha, so it is not 12.x.x.x internally.
make yor internal IP's, the ones on the crossed cable, 10.0.0.1 and 2.
DNS , leave it blank for the internal one, you don't need it.
The default gateways should point to the internethub, only on that NIC. The internal ones don't matter, so leave it blank or use the localhost IP.

 

[madonnac]

Thank you so much - worked like a charm!

 

[Marcs41]

Nice to be of help.