Networking problem.

Well, for one thing, a switch is NOT a router. So, just because you put a switch between two computers, doesn't mean that both of them can get on the internet at the same time. Take a look at the picture on http://www.netgear.com/Products/Swit...hes/FS605.aspx. You will see that the crossed port is connecting to a router.

I don't know how much you know about networking. Basically, a switch is just a fast way to connect 2 or more computers. A router is a piece of hardware that will do something called NAT (Network Address Translation). Basically, your internet provider is giving you 1 IP address. Without a router, the first computer turned on will get that IP address (from your cable/dsl modem). The second computer asks for a IP address also. However, since your one and only address is gone, it doesn't get anything.

A router will take that 1 IP address and put it on the external interface. Then, it will assign its own internal addresses to your computers. So, when your computer tries to load a web page, the router will translate your request into something suitable to be sent over the internet. When the web server on the other end replies, the router will translate that reply and forward it to the correct computer.

In short, buy a router and connect the dsl/cable modem to the router to the switch. NOTE: most routers can be connected to more than one computer, so you probably won't need the switch.

Regards,

zakaluka2.