Kindly suggest on how to network three computers (two Windows XP and one Win 98) with internect conn

I have 3 PCs and 8 port switch and DSL broad internet connection. Two PCs have Windows XP and the third one has Windows 98. Kindly suggest as to how should I network all the computers in such a way that all the PCs should also connect to the internet. The main purpose of the networking should also be fulfilled i.e. sharing files among three computers.

Kindly suggest on how to network three computers (two Windows XP and one Win 98) with internect connection.?noton

Do away with the switch. It will not handle the ISP connection, which will only allow one computer at a time to access the internet.

Purchase a router. Not only will this share your internet connection between all your computers at the same time, but routers have a built in DHCP server so you will not have to manuall configure all your computers IP, Subnet. DNS and default gateway addresses.

Your equipment will connect like this.

-Cable from wall to broadband modem

-ethernet cable from broadband modem to routers WAN (Internet) port

-ethernet cable from the routers ethernet ports to each computers ethernet port

Thats it for the equipment connections. You will now need to give each computer a different name,i.e. XPDESKTOP1, XPDESKTOP2 AND 98DESKTOP.

You will also need to name the workgroup the exact same thing in each computer, i.e. MyNet.