How do i connect 2 computers to 1 modem?

i have 2 computers. i'm with cable %26 1 computer is on the net. what is the cheapest way to connect other computer to net?

How do i connect 2 computers to 1 modem?free spyware remobal

There are a couple of options for you.

1. If one of your computers has 2 network interface cards (NIC's) then you can enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) if you have Windows XP. (if you have windows 98, 2000, ME consider upgrading to a newer OS or get linux) you can do that from the network setup wizard (start, accessories, communications, network setup wizard) then you can connect your second computer to the one with the internet connection. The nice thing about this option is that it is free, and you would only have to buy a network cable (might be able to get one free from your ISP).

2. Get a hub/switch/router. Hub is the cheapest option, switch the next, and router the next most expensive. Hubs start from 5 bucks and go up from there, switches go from about 20 bucks, and routers from about 40 bucks. A hub is a dumb device (meaning it won't split a broadcast domain, and provides no security) and basically just splits your internet connection in 2. If your ISP will allow you to have more than 1 IP address you can do this. A switch is more intelligent than a hub, it will split a broadcast domain (if it has a bridge built into it, which most do) and only send on the information addressed to one computer, to only that computer (reduces background network traffic). A router is a the most intelligent network device. It will take the IP address your ISP gives you. Then it will assign your other computers an IP address from it's own Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. This provides some security, because it is really hard to attack a computer with a non routable IP address (192.x.x.x, or 10.x.x.x and the like). Plus routers can be wireless, and they include a firewall (it closes ports, which are standard connection methods, so that your computer effectively sits in a black hole to the internet world) which provides greater security.