Paul,

I'm guessing that you might currently be using a usb ADSL modem to connect
to the net. Instead if you use an ADSL router modem this handles the
connection to the net and at the same time also provides a firewall, Each
PC is connected to the internet via the router/modem with each PC then
connecting to the router/modem, either by wire or wireless. Note that each
PC acts independently of any others and only need to be switched on when
used.

NAT = Network Address Translation is where the publicly visible IP address
stops at the router and each PC connected to it has a "private" address
and is hidden from the internet. The router then works out which incoming
packets should go to each connected PCs and which can be safely dropped.
SPI is a refinement on this and stands for Stateful Packet Inspection and
whilst not necessary is a useful additional barrier when built in to the
router/modem.

I don't want to try and recommend and specific router modem and which is
best for you may well depend on your ISP so be guided by what they
recommend as the most stable connections are usually those where the
chipset used in the ADSL modem (which is built into the router modem) is
the same as that used in the ISPs DSLAM or MSAN at the local exchange.
--
Mike Maltby




PAT (Paul) PAT wrote:

Mke I sent the first query from another machine and was not sure it
got posted, sorry about that.
Anyway I finally got an XP Pro for next to nothing, and running well.
Since I will keep the Me when my grandson visits, I will istall a
NAT/SPI enabled router (whatever that is). I am guessing that I will
be able to use it to connect both machines to the Internet? As you
may know, at 80 I m loosing some, but I did get all my folders and
files onto this new machine...The only thing is that I now have two
hard disc, one 40G and one 80G and things get confused, but I ll get
there. Thanks to all the others who responded: Noel (H es back!),
Mart, Shane,
Webster72, and maybe others, (I m going by memory).
N.B. I m using a ADSL connection, since I live in France
several months, it suits my needs.