Do I NEED a network router ...?

[Bires]

I'm getting cable internet from Charter in a couple of weeks. They will be installing a Docsis external modem and connecting it to my NIC via standard CAT5.

The computer that will be connected to the cable modem is the server/proxy for a small LAN via a 8-port switch that I am happy with.

My question is this:
Can I get away with installing a second NIC in my computer to allow the other computers on my network to communicate with my computer and with the internet, or do I have to buy a cable/network router?

Thanks

[xsiled2]

luckily for me i always had the router, for you try the double NIC first, depending on how many comps you are putting on the network, if you have more then 2 id buy the router, putting more then 1 NICs in 3+ comps is probly more $ then a router, plus the options on routers are very nice.

[DoPeY5007]

My question is this:
Can I get away with installing a second NIC in my computer to allow the other computers on my network to communicate with my computer and with the internet, or do I have to buy a cable/network router?

Thanks yes that should work, I know it doesn't with some DSL...



but I would go the hardware router way myself....

[Bires]

Thanks for the input. I'll try the dual NIC thing (one connected to my switch) for a week or two and see how things go.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by xsiled2
luckily for me i always had the router, for you try the double NIC first, depending on how many comps you are putting on the network, if you have more then 2 id buy the router, putting more then 1 NICs in 3+ comps is probly more $ then a router, plus the options on routers are very nice.

FYI - when you dual home a PC, then that PC IS the router. There is no need to put multiple NICs in the client machines. This way the cable (or DSL) comes into one NIC, and the network connection goes out the other into a hub or switch. Then the other PCs just connect to the switch.

[aglio412]

Originally posted by Bires
Thanks for the input. I'll try the dual NIC thing (one connected to my switch) for a week or two and see how things go.

you don't need a standalone router...might as well throw 100bills away. plop a 2nd NIC in your machine, and if it's linux, install PMFirewall and hook up some IP masquerading. presto...

http://www.pmfirewall.com/PMFirewall/

[adowding]

I use double nics and it works great. I use the .85 cents nics from Dill deal and saved my self about 79.15 compared to a router.

[ChrisMG187]

http://www.freesco.com