Shortly after I moved to my new apartment, my then-fiancé (now wife) graduated college and I now had one internet connection for two computers. The most common way of getting internet to multiple computers these days is using a wireless router. Routers are really mini computers that split an incoming high speed signal to whatever computers are plugged into the unit. Wireless models also broadcast a signal for wireless-equipped laptops. Wireless cards are available for desktops if you don't want to run Ethernet cables all over your house.
I tried the router rout (pun intended) when I was living with a roommate and it worked well. There were a few times when we needed to reset the internet connection to get things working again, but it was reliable for the most part. Routers cost around $50 and you might as well get a wireless one if you ever think you may have a laptop.
I wanted to try a different way for two reasons:
Because I didn't want to spend money on a router, and
Because I couldn't find a router with good user ratings (newegg.com)
I heard that you can share a connection if you have two Ethernet cards, but I also didn't want to buy a second Ethernet card for my computer. I found out my Comcast-issued modem can connect via USB to my computer, so I tried the following setup:
Connect main computer to modem via USB.
Connect Ethernet card from main computer to secondary computer (this requires a Crossover Ethernet cable or a Hub or switch).
At this point it may be useful for you to know that my main computer is running Ubuntu. This is an operating system that replaces Microsoft Windows and Vista. This setup may require additional software if the main computer is running Windows. What I like about running Ubuntu on the main computer is that it provides a first level of protection for our secondary computer. I don't own a Crossover cable, but I do have a switch left over from my College days. This allows me to use regular Ethernet cables and provides the ability to connect up to three more computers behind my main computer. The only downside to this setup is that the main computer needs to be on for my now wife's computer to access the internet.
