Desktop

Use a broadband router is O.K. and the simplest!

Yes, a broadband router is the easiest to setup for sharing a dsl line. You will need that, a nic in each computer and TCP/IP protocols for both. You will want to setup your router as 192.168.1.1, subnet mask 255.255.255.0 (which generally is default), and then setup one computer with 192.168.1.2 and complete setup of the router. You will need the ip address(es) of your ISP's DNS and the mac address of your WAN portion of the router. You will also need to know what type of DSL you have (is it PPoE?), etc. and how to configure the router accordingly.

If you choose to use DHCP from the router, then the router can be responsible for handing out ip addresses and when you are completely setup from the router side, you can change the computers back to obtain an ip address automatically. Through the mac, you will need to go through the chooser and ARP to set the TCP/IP protocol.

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Without a router, you will need the items you mention, BUT you will also need some sort of Internet Connection Sharing software that works both on the mac and on the computer. I've never done it this way, so I do not know if such software is available.

Buy a Linksys BEFSR11.
You need ethernet in both machines.
You need a hub. or buy the BEFSR41
(built in 4 port hub)
You will use tcp/ip

Good Luck Lee

Buy a Cable/DSL router and plug them in. You will need to use TCP/IP with the Mac.

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