Providing Internet Access to Computer in Workgroup

I have three standalone computers accessing Internet with
cable modem and router. I need to place these computers
in a workgroup so that they can share resources, but
would still like for them to continue accessing the
Internet using existing modem/router hardware. I have
installed a new 4-port switch and added a second network
adapter to each PC. I configured static IP addresses (and
subnet masks) for these computers, and configured the
workgroup networking support. Now all workgroup functions
work fine but none of the PCs can access the Internet.

Do I need to configure a default gateway address in each
of the new workgroup network adapters? If so, do I need
to call the cable service provider and get the correct
default gateway address? I would like to maintain the
method these PCs currently access the Internet if
possible. I know that this multihomed configuration is
not the most efficiently way to do this but there are
business reasons that this is being done.

By the way, as soon as I Powered-down the workgroup hub,
all computers could again access the Internet with now
changes to the software configuration.
Any help would be appreciated.

Jim

Hi Jim,
If I understand you correctly, you now have every
computer connected to two different routers ??
Why make this so complicated. Connect the 4 computers to
a hub and connect the hub to the internet modem. Then
turn on file and printer sharing on all machines. Leave
the firewalls OFF on all machines for now.
That should be enough to share recourses and the internet
connection.
>-----Original Message-----
>I have three standalone computers accessing Internet
with
>cable modem and router. I need to place these computers
>in a workgroup so that they can share resources, but
>would still like for them to continue accessing the
>Internet using existing modem/router hardware. I have
>installed a new 4-port switch and added a second network
>adapter to each PC. I configured static IP addresses
(and
>subnet masks) for these computers, and configured the
>workgroup networking support. Now all workgroup
functions
>work fine but none of the PCs can access the Internet.
>
>Do I need to configure a default gateway address in each
>of the new workgroup network adapters? If so, do I need
>to call the cable service provider and get the correct
>default gateway address? I would like to maintain the
>method these PCs currently access the Internet if
>possible. I know that this multihomed configuration is
>not the most efficiently way to do this but there are
>business reasons that this is being done.
>
>By the way, as soon as I Powered-down the workgroup hub,
>all computers could again access the Internet with now
>changes to the software configuration.
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Jim
>
>.
>

Yes, I have all three PCs attached to both a switch and a
router. I did this to shield the Internet traffic from
the local traffic but in hindsight, the router should
work this just fine. I will remove the switch and give
your suggestion a try. Will post the results.
Thanks for the help.
Jim

>-----Original Message-----
>Hi Jim,
>If I understand you correctly, you now have every
>computer connected to two different routers ??
>Why make this so complicated. Connect the 4 computers to
>a hub and connect the hub to the internet modem. Then
>turn on file and printer sharing on all machines. Leave
>the firewalls OFF on all machines for now.
>That should be enough to share recourses and the
internet
>connection.
>>-----Original Message-----
>>I have three standalone computers accessing Internet
>with
>>cable modem and router. I need to place these computers
>>in a workgroup so that they can share resources, but
>>would still like for them to continue accessing the
>>Internet using existing modem/router hardware. I have
>>installed a new 4-port switch and added a second
network
>>adapter to each PC. I configured static IP addresses
>(and
>>subnet masks) for these computers, and configured the
>>workgroup networking support. Now all workgroup
>functions
>>work fine but none of the PCs can access the Internet.
>>
>>Do I need to configure a default gateway address in
each
>>of the new workgroup network adapters? If so, do I need
>>to call the cable service provider and get the correct
>>default gateway address? I would like to maintain the
>>method these PCs currently access the Internet if
>>possible. I know that this multihomed configuration is
>>not the most efficiently way to do this but there are
>>business reasons that this is being done.
>>
>>By the way, as soon as I Powered-down the workgroup
hub,
>>all computers could again access the Internet with now
>>changes to the software configuration.
>>Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>>Jim
>>
>>.
>>
>.
>