What do I need?

[Gaz]

I'm fairly inexperienced with computers and would wish to know what equipment I should purchase in order to achieve what I want. I have 3 computers each with a network card in them. (ethernet i think). The planned host computer also has a USB in it but i'm not sure if its usb 1 or 2. I'm planning on joining the 512 8 gig plan on Swiftel and live in Sydney. Two of the computers are direct cable networked together whereas the other is not in a network. So what type of modem should I get and what brand. I was thinking of getting a 4 port ethernet (that means 4 computers can be connected to the modem right)? And i have no clue what brand to get. Please help a newbie out. Thx

[KoolDavid]

I have the D-Link 504 4 switch router...works fine here. That router should suit you too,

[Gaz]

Could u gimme a price on that? And what excatly does 4 switch router means ?:D

[KoolDavid]

oops i meant 4 port switch router.It just means 4 computers can be plug together with that router.
Got mine for $270

[3cakes]

I bought the Billion 741v2, it has a 4-port ethernet hub included which means that you can share files between the computers in your own home network as well as sharing the internet connection. Using a hub means that one PC doesn't have to be on all the time to maintain the connection.

I bought it from warcom.com.au for $225.

Then, all you would need is two straight-through RJ45 ethernet cables and you will have your own network. Check the MS website for details on how to configure your PCs for TCP/IP (it's fairly easy).

Before you buy anything check device manager to make sure it's an ethernet card. There's a very good chance it will be but it only takes a second and you'll kick yourself if you buy the wrong thing.

One thing to be careful of: if you're running 2K/XP, make sure your PCs are patched against the worms and viruses that have been going around for the last month or so. They will bring down your brand new network.

[3cakes]

Something just occured to me: given that you don't have much experience with computers, if you buy a firewall/router, you might want to read up on port numbers - what they do etc.

You might find the definition given at the following website a bit confusing but if you follow this one through, read defn 2.

http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci212807,00.html

Microsoft has this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;174904


The IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) website will tell you which ports are registered to which applications:
http://www.iana.org/assignments/port-numbers


Another website with application port numbers is iss.net:
http://www.iss.net/security_center/advice/Exploits/Ports/default.htm