Newbie question re cabling/hubs...

..... this is my problem - hope you can assist:

I have 3 pc's:

One connected direct to a D-Link 4 port router supplying braodband in the
same room, and a second and third which sit side by side at the other side
of the house.

I want to run one network cable from the router to the vicinity of the
second and third machines, then split the cable into the two machines to
supply them both with broadband.

My questions:

1). Clearly I need some sort of hub next to the second and third machines to
act as a splitter - any recommendations?

2). Do I require a crossover cable to connect the router to the hub?

3). I'd like the two adjacent machines to talk to each other so that the
kids can play games over the network - Is this possible?

Thanks in advance for any assistance - And please answer in laymans terms!!

Chris

"Chris Parry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:BuadnbW0UMOK-(E-Mail Removed)...
> .... this is my problem - hope you can assist:
>
> I have 3 pc's:
>
> One connected direct to a D-Link 4 port router supplying braodband in the
> same room, and a second and third which sit side by side at the other side
> of the house.
>
> I want to run one network cable from the router to the vicinity of the
> second and third machines, then split the cable into the two machines to
> supply them both with broadband.
>
> My questions:
>
> 1). Clearly I need some sort of hub next to the second and third machines
> to act as a splitter - any recommendations?
>
> 2). Do I require a crossover cable to connect the router to the hub?
>
> 3). I'd like the two adjacent machines to talk to each other so that the
> kids can play games over the network - Is this possible?
>
> Thanks in advance for any assistance - And please answer in laymans
> terms!!

Hi Chris,
For the 'splitter' you just need a cheap switch like this:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=152509
which don't usually need a crossover UTP cable.
As long as you have the firewalls on each PC configured correctly,
all machines on the LAN side of your router will be able to see and
talk to each other.
HTH
--
Rob

"Rob" <no-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:efdudf$fel$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Chris Parry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:BuadnbW0UMOK-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> .... this is my problem - hope you can assist:
>>
>> I have 3 pc's:
>>
>> One connected direct to a D-Link 4 port router supplying braodband in the
>> same room, and a second and third which sit side by side at the other
>> side of the house.
>>
>> I want to run one network cable from the router to the vicinity of the
>> second and third machines, then split the cable into the two machines to
>> supply them both with broadband.
>>
>> My questions:
>>
>> 1). Clearly I need some sort of hub next to the second and third machines
>> to act as a splitter - any recommendations?
>>
>> 2). Do I require a crossover cable to connect the router to the hub?
>>
>> 3). I'd like the two adjacent machines to talk to each other so that the
>> kids can play games over the network - Is this possible?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any assistance - And please answer in laymans
>> terms!!
>
> Hi Chris,
> For the 'splitter' you just need a cheap switch like this:
> http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=152509
> which don't usually need a crossover UTP cable.
> As long as you have the firewalls on each PC configured correctly,
> all machines on the LAN side of your router will be able to see and
> talk to each other.
> HTH
> --
> Rob


Many thanks for the reply Rob - Much appreciated.

Chris