Choose Start ➪ Programs ➪ Accessories ➪ Communications ➪ Direct Cable Connection.

Chapter 8 ✦ Using Alternative Cabling Methods Repeat the process to connect two computers over the phone lines. This card works with Windows 98, NT, 2000, and XP. One card costs around 25; remember, you have to have two cards. You also need to purchase extra phone line wire. 2Wire PC Port The 2Wire PC Port is a high-speed USB-to-HomePNA adapter you can use to share an Internet connection cable, DSL, or dial-up with multiple computers, after you set up your phone line network. You plug the PC Port into your computer’s USB port and a phone jack. You must run the installation CD that comes with the PC Port, and then you’re ready to share the Internet connection. Costing around 45, the PC Port is compatible with Windows 98, 98SE, Me, NT 4, 2000, XP, and Mac OS 8.6 through 9.x. The following are included with the PC Port: ✦ Twenty-inch standard USB cable ✦ Six-foot standard telephone cable ✦ Y-adapter to provide an extra phone jack for a telephone ✦ Installation CD Linksys HomeLink Phoneline Bridge The Linksys HomeLink Phoneline 10M Ethernet Bridge provides a bridge between the Internet andor your Ethernet network and your phone line network. The bridge contains a 10Base-T 100Base-TX RJ-45 Ethernet port, an Uplink port, and a HomeLink RJ-11 port. You can plug Installing a Phone Line Network Just to give you an idea of how simple it is to use a phone line network, here are the steps to installing the Linksys HomeLink Phoneline Network. First, you must choose a server or host com- puter; this computer should be the one with the modem and Internet connection, if you plan to use the modem-sharing software. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off and unplug the PC, remove the cover, and locate an open PCI expansion slot. For

more information about installing network cards, see Chapter 9.

2. Remove the strip that covers the bay, and slide the HomeLink card into the slot. To make

sure that the card is properly seated, firmly snap it into the slot. Secure the card, carefully, with the screw. 3. Replace the cover on the computer, and plug the computer into the power outlet. 4. Plug one end of the telephone cable provided into the HomeLink card’s telephone port, and plug the other end of the telephone cable into a wall phone jack. 5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for any additional PCs you want to connect to the network. 6. Turn on the server PC. Windows will recognize the HomeLink card. Insert the HomeLink CD-ROM and follow the directions on screen to complete setup. Repeat with the other PCs on the network. HomeLink includes complete written instructions for installing the HomeLink software and for configuring the PCs on the network.