I'm not all together clear how you were set up, but from the sounds of it your connection sharing problem was ultimately do to the fact that your ISP only provides for one connection at a time (unless you pay them for more). With the hub, unless you use some sort of proxy software (Windows ICS, WinProxy, etc) on one of the computers you won't be able to have both systems accessing the internet at the same time. With a router, like Sarrkazztic mentioned, the proxy capability is built in (to the router), thus your connection can be shared (your ISP sees things as if there's only one connection).

As for WinPOET...

ISPs have tended to like to authenticate access and monitor/measure user traffic. With straight dial-up that is possible because of an extension to the TCP/IP protocol used called Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). PPP's main function is to enable TPC/IP transmissions over serial communication lines, but it also provides the above functions.

Now DSL is an ethernet connection, so PPP functionality isn't needed to communicate from the PC to the ISP. However, ISPs may still want the authentication/monitoring capabilities. Unfortunately standard PPP cannot operate over ethernet connections. So
an adaptation was come up with called PPPoE, Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet. With PPPoE the user goes through the same "logon" process as they did in the regular dialup days. However some sort of software is required to to handle the PPPoe transactions (like DUN and ISP dialers for regular PPP). WinPOET is one such piece of software ISPs often provide/use. When PPPoE is used the connection is not "always on".

Generally only DSL providers use PPPoE. But cable providers could as well (and may).

Most routers today, like the Linksys suggested by Sarrkazztic, have built-in capability to handle/do PPPoE. So if you do go the router route then you won't need your WinPOET (client) software anymore (you'll configure the router with the necessary info).

And if you do go the router route then don't get locked in to thinking only a Linksys brand will do the job. There are several brands available (D-Link, SMC, Netgear to name a few) that will also do the job. Find the models that have the features you want then look for the brand with the best price.

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[This message has been edited by DrMDJ (edited 01-07-2002).]