"What is my HPN Network Solution?"

I've sifted through quite a few posts on several different message boards (including this one) about networking using an HPN setup.
My question is this--what components do I need to buy in order to:

1. share cable modem service using one IP address (is speed affected if I do this?)
2. file-share between the computers

Some people discuss using a router, some people discuss merely using PCI cards...

What's the deal? As far as I understand, I think I need an HPNA 2.0 Router (ethernet based) and 2 HPN cards... can I cut cost, connect the PC closest to the modem via CAT5 cabling and connect the distant PC using only one HPN card?

This question may have been asked a million times over but I would greatly appreciate a straight-forward response on my networking problem!

Simply put: I want to share my cable modem access without too much of a speed reduction and also share files between the two PC's at the least cost; what do I do/need?

Thanks a million!
~Dave Mosher
Dayton, OH

..in case it wasn't understood, I have Roadrunner and access the internet via cable modem (through ethernet port).

Thanks again!
~Dave

Dave-

In all honesty it depends on how you want to set up your network. I am not sure why you are refering to NICs as HPN cards but whatever floats your boat.

>1. share cable modem service using
>one IP address (is speed
>affected if I do this?)

With Road Runner you have several options. If you computers have NICs already then you are half way there.
1.) You could buy a router then go cable modem - router - out to computers via ethernet.

2.) You could put a second NIC in your computer and use microsofts ICS or other routing/proxy software.

Speed is not effected at all. But if you are downloading a lot on each computer at the same time, you share the speed of your modem so you will effectively see a slowdown as you split the speed among 2 comps instead of 1.

>
>2. file-share between the computers
>
simple to set up and very effective, any router you buy will have step by step instructions. In a nutshell just add both computers to the same Workgroup and enable file sharing.

>What's the deal? As far
>as I understand, I think
>I need an HPNA 2.0
>Router (ethernet based) and 2
>HPN cards... can I cut
>cost, connect the PC closest
>to the modem via CAT5
>cabling and connect the distant
>PC using only one HPN
>card?
If you choose to do this you will need 2 NICs in your PC closest to the modem. Cat5 into your nic and cat5 out to the second computer.

Personally, I use a router because I have been expanding my network over the years and any dummy can plug it in and turn them on. The prices are beginning to drop but if you are looking for the absolute minimum cost go the 2 NIC route and use ICS. Go to microsoft.com and search for ICS and they have several tutorials on the subject. Hope this helps, email me with any other questions.

Mike