how to build a network

I am assuming you want to share the internet connection along your lan ?
Use a router application such as Wingate or Winroute.
Winrout is very very easy to setup and get running.
Supported OS's are Win98 NT and 2K
Not sure about XP

Since you have a router this is easy.

On the router there should be any where from 1 to 4 ports for connection computers.

If you want to connect more computers than the number of ports you have on the router, then you have to get a hub! You can connect the router to the hub using a crossover wire.

Then you can connect all the other computers to the hub and your network is setup.

This configuration allows any computer to access the internet!

It does not require that any one computer on the network have to have 2 network boards and be on all the time to the other computers to get on the net!

Is this the router that came with the DSL setup (aka the DSL Modem)? If so, how is your DSL service setup? I belive some will allow you to connect multiple systems to the extra ports on the router (if any) via NAT. If your service does not allow multiple systems, I would just plop down like $80 for a SOHO firwall/router that will allow you to share the connection. They typically will perform filtering and DHCP. Very easy to setup and provides a certain degree of protection.

Hope this helps.

1. 10 fingers so you can type
2. A sober mind
3. Use your brain
4. Sometimes a screw driver
5. Cables
6. NICs
7. OSs loaded on all computers
8. Software to make the NICs work

Well once you are subscribed with the DSL service and have a router, well done. All you have to do is get a HUB and connect all the other Systems on the network. Configure one PC as a Server and install IIS and Winroute or ISA on it to route the information/data from the Internet to other Systems. That is about it i hope!!!

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