LAN cable internet access question FOR NERDS!

[Kinoko]

Hey guys! I did indeed google this, but the results were just confusing and vague so I'd prefer to hear your opinion.

In a month or so, I'll be staying in a guest house with a friend, and we both have laptops and need internet access simultaneously. This place only has, apparently, one LAN cable from which to suck the webby goodness.

My question is what we can do to both have internet access given this situation. I've heard talk of a "cross over" cable but that seems to be for only file transfers, not shared internet access.

I'm ultimately looking for something cheap and simple, because this situation will only exist for 2~3 months.

Thanks! You guys are so smart Love ya.

[OneDollar]

Buy a switch. It works a bit like a router (so you plug multiple computers into one box, which then goes out over one cable) but without being able to connect to the internet itself.

If you've already got a router lying around you might be able to turn off all the internet connection, DHCP, DNS etc stuff and have it do the same thing.

(This is assuming that the guest house already has stuff in place to connect to the internet)

[Khris]

If the wall jack is part of a LAN (which I assume), you'll simply need a hub. That's a small box with 4 LAN ports, and all you do is connect the PCs and the wall to it.
A crossover calbe is used to e.g. directly connect two PCs.

[Stupot]

When I stayed in a 3-berth pigeonhole last year we had a device which plugged into the LAN socket on the wall and allowed the three of us to run our LAN cables from it (there were actually 4 slots). now I can't tell you whether this little box merely split the connection 4 ways or whether it actally provided 4 separate connections... I never bothered to find that out, I was just glad to be able to get on the 'net.

[OneDollar]

4 seperate connections. Btw hub is probably a better word, but I mean the same thing as KhrisMUC

[SSH]

Assuming both laptops have wireless, you should be able to set up an ad hoc connection (enable "Allow other computers to use my internet connection" in windows.) and route all the stuff through a single machine, eliminating the need for a hub. You can try this out at home, first.

see: http://en.kioskea.net/configuration-reseau/partage-connexion-internet.php3 and other google results...

[Khris]

The downside: the sharing computer has to be powered on all the time.

[OneDollar]

And you'd have to undo/redo it if you move the laptops around (internet cafes, other people's houses etc). Not trying to shoot down SSH's idea, but you'd have to be reasonably confident with configuring network settings if you're going to take either machine away at any point.

[Pumaman]

It's easy, I hope this helps explain things for you:

[AGA]

4 seperate connections. Btw hub is probably a better word, but I mean the same thing as KhrisMUC

Switches and hubs are distinct, but fairly similar, things. A small hub is what Kinoko needs.

[OneDollar]

It's easy, I hope this helps explain things for you:

I was always taught the internet looked more like it was going to rain any second

Switches and hubs are distinct, but fairly similar, things. A small hub is what Kinoko needs.

Checked my facts and you're all quite right. The standard definition of a switch would be overkill (though it would still work, right?). I guess next time I'll avoid

broad and imprecise marketing term(s)

and just stick with "Get one of them boxes with one hole on the back and lots on the front"

[LGM]

Instead of ad-hoc, you could just get a wireless hub. Plug the internets into it, configure some settings, and voila.

[Trent R]

I've found that cheap wireless routers are not worth it whatsoever, and for a short jaunt like this probably unnecessary. And if it bugs out, it'll be a pain (cause they both "need internet access simultaneously"). But if you're willing to spend the cash, I'd say it's worth the investment and convenience.

A basic normal LAN hub however, can usually be found at thrift stores. (Plug in an Ethernet cable into all of the ports after you buy though, just to check).


~Trent
PS-CJ's picture made me laugh out louf for 2 min. straight.

[radiowaves]

Buy a wifi router?

If you don't have wifi card on your laptop, then buy usual router. Can be found under 100 USD.

[Ryan Timothy B]

I only had one network cable jack by my computer, so I bought a simple $10 ethernet switch so I can play my 360 while keeping the computer connected.  It's as easy as that, and only $10.  Yippy!

[Kinoko]

My gosh, what a response! You guys are awesome

As it turns out, the place has told us now, "We will arrange so that both of you can use the internet connection." so hopefully things will be alright.

But this is still very helpful, and if anything goes wrong, I will be turning to your advice.

Especially yours, CJ. It's so clear, now!