Router ???

[Stealth]

I am looking to build a network, I have never done this before and I have no idea on how to start, I want to share files, printer, play games agenst each other comps on my network and last but not least share internet connection, I have a Broadband cable modem and two USB NIC'S for two comps. I have benn told I need a Router, thats fine but I don,t know how to set one up, is it just connecting the cable to the router and the router to the two different comps via a NIC, also a good easy and cheap recomendation for one please. Will my router give me a second IP address, or will I even need one.

[su root]

Ok, your first problem is that you have a Cable Modem that uses USB, most Routers aren't set up for USB (I have not heard of one that is USB compatable yet, but I'm sure someone is making one)

My suggestion is to set up one computer as a "Gateway."
This means that you run a proxy program, like: Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), Wingate, Sygate, WinProxy, etc.
Install it, set it up, and when you have that computer on, you can share the internet, files, and printers over an Ethernet network.

As for a USB network, I have no experience setting that up, personally I would go with Ethernet, it's more common.