Setting up a home network?

I want to set up a home network. Networking 4 P.C`s together.Sharing the net. I am looking to set up a wired not wireless network.I have had different answers to the problem but the ones I have tried dont work. All pc`s using xp professional.I have a hub.. a switcher and cable modem.Windows shows me a plan that I must use but it will only let the first pc connect to the internet.Despite altering settings on the network wizzard. I`ve been told I need a router. I keep buying stuff but it seems to me too many solutions that dont work. I have a network now that uses the USB port on the first pc. No problems but it does not spread bandwith properly. One pc hogs all the bandwith. Any help would be great. All pc`s are on the same group.

Setting up a home network?
All home networks don't spread bandwith properly.





Plug the modem into the network hub and run the network wizard again. Make sure all computers are in the same workgroup. That should then work. If not, contact me.
Reply:Yes, your best solution would be to buy a router. Use the router to connect to your internet, and then run a network cable from the router into your hub shared by all the PCs. Remember to run the networking wizard on all the pcs.


But if you can't buy the router and are stuck with the cable modem, then feed that into the first PC and set up Internet Connection Sharing on that PC... allow all the other PCs to access the internet through that one.


If you have problems with bandwidth sharing, you can limit your first PCs bandwidth access using these tools...


http://www.netlimiter.com/


But I really believe the first option is better in the long run... it is how must everyone does it.
Reply:Try using this document.





http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/docum...





Hope that helps.
Reply:You need a router. Plain and simple.





From your cable modem you then plug your wire into your router and then plug your PC into the router.





Most likely your router will support up to 4 different PCs.





You can also use your Ethernet Switch and plug a network wire from your router right into your switch and then plug other PCs right into the switch to expand your network. For example, if friends came over with their notebooks to play a game or something.





I recommend you also buy a good software firewall program and don't use the firewall option that comes built-in to Windows.





I love Zone Alarm's Internet Security Suite as for one low price, you can install the program onto 3 separate computers and not only is this an excellent firewall program, but it includes virus and spyware and IM protection.





Good Luck!

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