Hi everyone, im 15 and trying to build my first network, check it out and tell me if i made any mistakes. I have 2 computers and would liek to run a public server on one and play on the other. Heres what i got so far... 2 pcs, 2 cat5 25' cables, Network everywhere fast ethernet 10/100 5 port network hub (model nh1005), cable modem (comcast high speed internet is providing 2 static ip adresses), one pc had network adapter integrated into its motherboard chip and i got a pci network adapter for the otherone, i also plan to share files and printers across my network. now if someone can explain to me the "Open/Close PORTS" stuff to me i would really appreciate it. this is what i know so far and correct me if im wrong, to host game server some ports on the hub need to be open, i couldnt find any info on my hub on how to open/close ports, you also need a public ip adress and i think when i set up my network my hub gives both pcs a local ip how can i aviod/ change that? Or maybe im just not using the right hardware to do it? im a little confused on what i need to use whats the difference between hubs and routers, and which is the best for what im trying to accomplish. PS: No software came with the network hub, if you know tell me what software is good to have for my situation, and if you know of a good website where i can research further on setting up networks. Thanx everyone for suggestions, and whish me luck. [Edited by - RussianBear on October 3, 2004 11:52:19 AM]

thank you, ive heard that "zone alarm" is good but ill do more research, im still a little warried if everything is going to come togather correctly, you mentioned a ROUTER but i am using a HUB. am i wrong? is a router what im going to need for my network to work like i want it to?

In all of my networking experiences a ROUTER is required to initialy carry the internet to a LAN. A SWITCH may be used to increase the size of the LAN and keep internet connections if it connected to a ROUTER. a HUB will only connect computers into a LAN but can not carry the internet.
** This may not be true in every case, but has been my experience.

A router is generally better for home networking. It would only require you to purchase one ip address from your ISP. You wouldn't need a firewall on either computer, but no servers would be able to run**. With a router, you would be able to share files, etc. on your network without worrying about the possibilty of someone else on the internet getting to the files.

A hub would be best for if your router didn't have enough ports for your computers. For example, your router has 5 ports, but if you have 8 computers (I collect old hardware) you would want to use, in addition to a router, a hub or a switch (basically do the same thing). A hub alone (without a router) would require you to get 2 IP addresses from your ISP, which might cost more depending on the ISP. A hub would expose both computers directly to the internet, and servers would be able to run easily on either computer. However, file sharing etc. is actually a server, and therefore you would need a firewall on each computer to prevent some random person on the internet from accessing your shared files.

** With most routers today, you can set a "DMZ Host" which will expose one computer on your network directly to the internet. This compture will be able to run servers, and will need a firewall.

Also, if your servers only need to be accessed by the other computer on the network, a router would be fine. Any computer that is behind the same router can access resources behind that router.

Again thanx everyone (including nipie8 =D) for your help, heregoes' mo' qwestions first about IP addresses do I need two of them or one? I would like to host a GAMING server (Counter Strike, Battlefield 1942, etc.) on one computer(a) and play games online on the other computer(b), and I want to be able to play games on the server that i am runing(a) from the machine (b), second how can i look up what the IP is on the computer (Running XP OS SP2), third do both router and hub have ports i heard some games require to have some ports open (whatever that means x_0 ) in order to run a dedicated game server, fourth get ready this is a big one i also have friends come over sometimes and they want to get in the action so they bring thier fragboxes with them, as i understood from what you said nipie8 im going to need a hub because i have 2 pcs + say 2 friends with fragboxes, 5th port i cannt use caz uplink port is next to it on the hub that i have (Network Everywhere fast ethernet 10/100 5 port network hub model nh1005) and i will plug in an exterior modem (curtesy of Comcast), Fifth say if i disable file sharing between the 2 pcs that i own will it help to keep my files more secure from "unwelcomed internet guests", oh man should have just said hackers, i would still like to print from both pcs though. I think thats enaugh for now.
PS: Please gimme alot slak on english, im 15 year old russian kid, and give me any advice if you can.

[Edited by - RussianBear on October 4, 2004 11:04:46 PM]

*bump*...no suggestions :( please help me figure it out.

[Edited by - RussianBear on October 4, 2004 11:38:54 PM]

*bump*bumo*bump*

sorry about bumping and thank you for redirection