Cable Connection problems

Ok, i can say right now your going to tell me to get a router. Dont bother, its on backorder and i need to do this NOW, i have an idea but i dont know if it will work.

Ok i have two comps, one on cable and one not. I have a hub and all the needed CAT5.

The cable line goes into a cable modem, then into the first computers NIC. I know XP has a bridge connection option, so heres my theory. I think i can place a second NIC into the dell, and bridge the connection(if i have too.) The idea is that the cable comes in, then a cat5 runs from the second nic to a hub. The hub runs to the second pc, and i use net connection sharing to get the connection on the second pc. Can this work?

I did Internet Connection Sharing a while ago but not with XP. They are probably also some other software you can download to help you.

I think your method would work however the method I used is as follows. Have the cable coming into Machine 1, then another NIC in Machine 1 that goes to Machine 2. Again I think your way should work but its been a while since I've done any networking.

I could do it that way but that raises a problem. Everytime i wish to add a machine i have to add a second card to the last machine on the line. With dual nics in the main and a hub i wont need two nics in each machine not terminating the line.

On a second look i dont think i will even have to bridge the connections, i did some digging and i think i got it.

With dual nics in the main and a hub ...

I think u can setup internet connection sharing on the MAIN and then all other comps are hooked into your hub...

Now I think u can setup each machine to have it's own IP and IMPORTANTLY setup the GATEWAY to be the IP of the MAIN machine for each machine.

That should work quite easily, but I do believe you have to use a crossover cable to share it between the two units.

hmm i forgot bout the gateway, but yea i think with the hub it will be really easy.

Went over without a hitch. Installed a second nic, ran network setup on both comps, works. Didnt even have to fiddle with gateways.