Lan Network?

Help. I need to create a lan network!. I have a two computer internet conection. The one exit of the modem is to a usb port and the other to a ethernet cable. I want to use the ethernet cable to connect it to a lan network and to 2 pc´s. I use a switch or router (or what)? to connect 2 computers in a lan network to be able to play games.. etc. The first computer (the one with the usb connectio) has a free ethernet port and windows vista. I want to connect it to a windows xp computer (that uses the ethernet connection) and a laptop (ethernet also).





The main question is: how do i create a home lan network. do i buy a switch or a router (none of the 3 pc´s have wifi but i heard it divides the IP so more computers can use the connection) however it is not necessary. So pls help me with how do i create it, with what etc.


Thanks

Lan Network?
A switch just divides the physical connection - you need a router to provide internal IP addresses. If you're in the US, go to Wal-Mart - they're nearby, and they're about the cheapest. Get a Linksys WRT54G router - it's $45. You'll also need ethernet cables to connect each computer to the router. (You probably have one now, connecting the computer to the modem's ethernet jack - you'll need 3 cables for 2 computers - one for the modem and one for each computer.) The shortest cable Wal-Mart carries is 7 feet, and the longest is 25 feet. If you need anything longer than that, shop on the internet - DON'T use a coupler to connect two shorter cable together. (Dropping a 7 foot cable behind the desk if the router and computer are next to each other, is fine but don't coil the cable up to neaten it up.)

cosmetic