If you are faced with a situation where you need to connect two computers to the World Wide Web, while having only one cable from the provider, then you need some specific solution. Some simply alternately connect through this cable either one PC to the network or another, but this solution can hardly be called a convenient way out of the situation. The question is how to connect two computers to the Internet, providing simultaneous access to the network from both devices? So, let's figure it out.
How to connect two computers to the Internet
To begin with, it is worth saying that solving this issue requires the availability of certain tools. You will need a switch - a network hub.
Now you have to choose the machine on which the tasks of distributing the Internet channel to the rest of the network will fall. This computer must have at least two network ports where you can connect the cable. If we are talking about a small office or home network, then for this purpose it is best to choose the one that can be called the most powerful in performance. It should be on most of the time. This condition is mandatory, because when you turn off the computer serving as the server, you will deprive all other machines on the home Internet network. It is worth recalling that we are considering cable Internet, so the following must be done next. The provider cable should be connected to one network card, and the second should be connected to the hub. Then you will need to connect all the other machines to the latter, using the segments of the network cable of the desired length.
If we consider the question of how to connect two computers to the Internet further, then it should be said that now you will carry out the setup procedure. On the first PC, the connection is configured. This is done like this: you must go to “Connection Properties”, select the “Access” item, and then set the permission to use this connection to all computers located on the local network. Well, now you need to change the settings. In the "IP address" field, you need to set 192.168.0.1. using this particular address will save you from many problems associated with accessing the network from other machines.
To install the Internet on all other computers in the home group, you will need to perform a series of manipulations from each individual PC. You will need to open the local network settings. Certain fields must be filled with very specific numbers.
- IP address: 192.168.0.M, here M can be any number in the range 2 - 250;
- the subnet mask should be standard;
- the main gateway is set: the IP address of the first machine serving as the server.
How to connect two computers to the Internet through a router
This type of connection requires a special device called a router or router. The best option for convenience and mobility is the presence of a Wi-Fi module in a computer or laptop. In this case, there will not be any special problems with adding another device to the network. First, configure the router. This process may be slightly different for different models, since each of them has its own interface and firmware. Typically, the device is connected to a computer, and then manipulated through a web interface, where the address is replaced with a network address that differs for different models. It is important to remember about network security settings, which will not allow your neighbor to use the wireless Internet that you have installed for yourself. Any router is usually provided with instructions in which everything is described in detail.
Of course, there are other subtleties and nuances of setting up a network for two or more computers, but all of them require separate consideration.