wierd thing i cant figure out

[Macky]

Rite now i cant think to strait. I have 3 computers that need to be hooked up through out my house. Only thing i have on hand is a 16 port netgear switch. No router/hub or anything.. I keep getting an error that another computer is using the same ip. Is there a way i can have all 3 computers running and on the internet at the same time, or do i need a router.

[Chicken]

Disclaimer: limited networking knowledge...

I guess you can do it using something called Microsoft ICS (which I've never heard of). I'm sure there are similar ways to do it, but here's just one thing I found:

http://www.gyre.co.uk/help/broadband/connection_sharing.php

Unless I am mistaken, a switch would not do this, thus you are getting the error. I'm guessing ICS (or something like it) would take care of assigning the IP addresses, but honestly I've never tried it. My router/switch (combo) takes care of assigning the IP addresses, etc.

[datums]

a bit sleepy myself, but you can manually give each machine an internal ip.
include the netmask, dns, and gateway.

You get the "another computer is using the ip" when you boot the 2nd machine correct?

Change the ip on that machine and reboot.

[Macky]

well how it is now i have a linux box and a windows box.. The windows box gets the ip just fine.. But when i go to activate the network card ont he linux box it wont let me and i get the message on the windows box saying that the ip is in use or somethin like that.. In the long run im gonna have it the linux box being a dedicated router then going to the switch.. But i needed the linux box to have the internet so i can get the software.. I guess i will just take down the windows box set-up the linux then have em runnign through the linux router..

New question: anyone know he best software to use on a linux os to act as a firewall and a router?

[datums]

Here is some reading material

http://www.linuxrouter.org/

You should be on your way.

[GH_mike]

Put 2 NICs (network card) in one of the windows boxs. Plus the high speed modem into one of the NICs, right click on the NIC and enable sharing (properties --> advanced). Click ok, your Win box will now act as a router and also has dhcp server enabled. It really is that simple :)