Switching a Cable Modem between Mac and PC?

[byersam]

Hey all, I've got a simple (I hope) problem. I'm currently running a Dell dimension 2100 hooked up to a Toshiba pcx2500 cable modem through a USB cable, and that setup works fine. But what I'd like to do, is connect that same pcx2500 to a new Apple Macbook  through (I assume) Ethernet. My questions are:

A) Do you think this is possible, or do most modems usually like to see only one platform/style of connection

B) If my goal is only to be able to use internet on these two computers, is there any better way to set this up?

Remember, I don't need the 'net to work simultaneously on each comp, just one at a time. Thanks for any help/ideas you've got.


Alex

[Rob Pomeroy]

You need to get yourself onto the support section of Toshiba's website and see if they provide a Mac driver for that modem.  If not, you're out of luck.

[2k_dummy]

Why not just get a router. As long as both machines can acquire an IP from the router, the router will handle the internet access through the modem. You'll need the proper NIC drivers for each OS.

[almn]

how about just lugging the ethernet cable to the modem and then on which ever computer you want to be connected on internet right now, the easiest would be buying qa router.

Al968

[wyatt]

If both of your computers have a ethernet card, you should be able to use a cross-over ethernet cable between them and use Window's Internet connection sharing software to NAT the 2nd computer.

Most cable modems just pass a DHCP lease to the customers computer. It is very unlikely that the modem or the DHCP server will allow both computers to "think" they have the same address (if the modem just passes your computer's MAC [aka not he modem's MAC], your ISP may be dumb enough to allow multiple leases).

If you are going with the router option, get the Linksys WRT54G or simular router so you can use a wired or wireless connection (I've had issues with the WRGxxx models). The Belkin PCI and PCMCIA cards are very dependable and low cost (walmart & bestbuy).

[GX1_Man]

A router solves all of this and more. Think "hardware firewall".