networking shared conection need help

[2primo]

Ok this is what i have and what i need to connect
all wired

Cable modem 20meg
pc with 2 Ethernet cards Can not add more !! small form factor no space !!
xbox 360 (wired required )
lan hd media player
my dm500s (sat box )

currently i have the cable modem going straight to the pc wired
then the other card is set to share the internet connection

What i need is all 4 items permanently connected to the internet
and additionally the XTREAMER needs to be able to see files on my pc in order to play them

My 360 can see everything on the pc in media center and connect to xbox live ... That is fed from the second card currently

i need a simple effective solution as pc networking i something i know little about ....

thx for looking

 

[Spectre]

I think you would be better off with a router.

It will always be connected, no need for the PC with the connection to stay on (unless you use it to download ).

A router will provide a hardware firewall.

 

[2primo]

i have a wireless router thats got 1 input and 4 out
so can i use this
like this
cable modem to pc direct as i use newsgroups
then the card that currently feeds the xbox (thats setup to allow it to go on live /internet and as i mentioned with media center can see all my main pc files )

so the router is fed right ???
and then just plug me 360 , sat box and Xtreamer into the router
lock down the wireless so no one can use it
last time i left it open and had 5 scum bags using it when i checked lol

will this work or do i need a switch ..

ohh and the pc is always on i never turn it off lol

 

[The Dentist]

Unless you have 2 modems, one to use as perm download and one for just internet then you would need the 2 network cards but the setup you have, rather than stick the modem into the PC, stick it into the input of your router.
That way you would have 4 connection coming out of the router all of which connects to the internet.


(ignore the dots)
............XBOX
................|
Modem > Router - PC
................|
............DM500

and anything else you need to add, just add it wirelessly and go into the router page, usually 192.168.x.x depending on which model and set up a password so nobody else can access it.

 

[Curly]

I'm not an expert m8, but what I use is a router ( 1 in, 4 out )
From modem to router, then the 4 outgoing sockets feed various bits of kit.
I can use this as a home network so the laptop can access files on the htpc, or htpc view my cctv dvr etc.
I imagine the same setup would work for you m8

I actually need to add a switch as I now have ( or will do after xmas ) more than 4 bits of kit.


Curly

 

[Spectre]

i have a wireless router thats got 1 input and 4 out
so can i use this
like this
cable modem to pc direct as i use newsgroups
then the card that currently feeds the xbox (thats setup to allow it to go on live /internet and as i mentioned with media center can see all my main pc files )

so the router is fed right ???
and then just plug me 360 , sat box and Xtreamer into the router
lock down the wireless so no one can use it
last time i left it open and had 5 scum bags using it when i checked lol

will this work or do i need a switch ..

ohh and the pc is always on i never turn it off lol

You could use that setup with a switch but I still think it would be neater to use a router with the modem plugged into the WAN port.