How can I connect 2 or more PCs in my Uni flat?

[Agent]

By using another PC to route things though, remember that that PC must be on to allow any connected to it to have internet access
Not a major issue - Unless you're trying to sleep and one of the machines needs to download something

[MarcLister]

One of the few benefits of being deaf, I can't hear anything when I take my hearing aids out at night. Well apart from the cars on the way into Manchester.

Plus the computer represents a funky heat source for my room in the winter. (Y)

[MarcLister]

So I emailed ISD today and they've told me that only one MAC address can be connected to the network. So am I borked or can I still go down the NAT route or will the second PC's MAC address be detected on the network?

[Salazaar]

I know this won't help you a jot but I'd be very pleased that you can get one PC connected... When I was at Salford (back in the bad old days of 98-02) there was no network access in halls and the only way to connect to the internet was through an extortionate dial-up rate on Studentline. My mates and I actually resorted to using AOL free trials until they started charging us for 0800 access!

[dave87]

Only the first PCs MAC address will register with the system.

Think of ICS as being a Router - incoming data packets get sent to the PC, and then the PC sends them on to the other clients. Therefore the data which is requested will be sent to the PC connected to the internet, then on to the machine(s) you've got hooked up. The router knows which PC to send it to, but the host site or network only knows of the single device it needs to send the data to - hence the comment that your ICS PC will be the only one that shows up on the Uni Network.

[MarcLister]

Only the first PCs MAC address will register with the system.

Think of ICS as being a Router - incoming data packets get sent to the PC, and then the PC sends them on to the other clients. Therefore the data which is requested will be sent to the PC connected to the internet, then on to the machine(s) you've got hooked up. The router knows which PC to send it to, but the host site or network only knows of the single device it needs to send the data to - hence the comment that your ICS PC will be the only one that shows up on the Uni Network.

That is what I thought. I'm doing Computer Science here and I thought I knew that it would work. I think ISD have just lied to me to get me to go away thinking I must be an idiot.

They said to me that a router wouldn't work because routers are forbidden. Ja, that is why theft never happens because it is illegal. Noobs.

I will email some of my networking proficient lecturers tomorrow to gain further proof. Then I shall just get a second NIC card for my PC and proceed. Thanks all.