Two Computers - Dialup- One Land Line..?

[Mumbo Jumbo]

I have a PC connected to the internet via a TOT land line dial up connection, and now I am thinking of buying my daughter a PC, so here’s my question..

Is it possible to connect Two computers to the internet using dial up connections

on the same land line and have the Two computers being able to use the internet

at the same time ..?

Thanks

[Cuban]

The short answer is yes. Many Windows (assume your PC is using) operating systems allows for Internet Connection Sharing, you will need to connect the PCs together with a simple LAN hub or use a "cross-over" cable. ( See the difference between straight and X-over LAN cables here. = http://www.bb-elec.com/images/EthernetRJ45A.gif ) Buy from PC shops.

The long answer is it will be very slow. Assuming you are getting a good 56kbps (best possible) on your dial up connection which is unlikely, this bandwidth will give very slow responses for any web sites the pair of you will be looking at at the same time. (Bandwidth = http://www.findmyhosting.com/bandwidth.htm )

Is ADSL not possible ?

If you can get an ADSL connection, get a small LAN hub, and things will work well.

There are better pictures than this (http://www.guardianhometechnologies.com/img/home-network/home-network-diagram.gif) but you should get the idea.

As for getting a LAN "Switch" rather than a LAN "Hub", for a basic home system a cheap and cheerful HUB is fine.

[naka]

If you have a suitable mobile phone with USB connector and GPRS/EDGE then

you may find this method to be cheaper and certainly a lot faster.

Naka.