As mentioned before, there are two paths to follow if one wishes to share an Internet connection: software and hardware.

The former involves a lengthy installation process followed by the requirement of a piece of Internet connection sharing software. For example, if we wish to share a Cable connection, we must first set up a regular TCP/IP network using network interface cards and a hub/switch. One computer must have both the network card that goes out to the cable modem and another network card that connects to the internal network. That same computer must also have Internet connection-sharing software installed and properly configured on it. Although a very simple Internet connection-sharing feature is built-into Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and the up-coming Windows "Whistler," it still requires a fair amount of effort in setting it up.

It all seems rather simple and a cheap way to get things going, but there are those little snags that make this solution a bad choice for some. Firstly, and the biggest annoyance in my mind, is that the main computer with the Internet connection must be on every time the other computers wish to access the Internet. Secondly, your main computer is still directly connected to the Internet and is not behind a firewall to protect it from Internet security risks such as hackers. Lastly, if you find that you simply don't have enough free PCI slots available for that second network card, you're simply out of luck in sharing your Internet connection with your other computers.

The latter method, which includes the Barricade reviewed here, addresses these 3 annoyances and adds some benefits to the mix as well. First off, installation of this type of network simply involves plugging in one network card for each computer on the network and then plugging them all into the broadband router (the 4-port switch, in the Barricade's case). The modem goes into the WAN jack on the router and then, after some quick setting changes through a web interface, allows all the computers to access the Internet without any hassles.

Like I said, this solution addresses all three of the above-mentioned annoyances. Firstly, as long as the router is plugged into the wall outlet and there's power applied to it, the Internet will be available to all the computers on the network. Secondly, all the computers are behind a secure firewall, therefore, eliminating the threat of Internet attacks from hackers. Finally, you don't need to install 2 network cards into one of your computers, solving the resource problems mentioned above.

Unfortunately, the hardware solution does have its downsides; one of the main ones is its cost. The Barricade 4-port broadband router costs about $139 USD. Add to that the required network cards and you'll be set behind about at least $150-200 for a 2 computer network. The software solution, on the other hand, only requires the small costs of each network card and a hub/switch. In total, you'll probably only need about $100 USD for a network of 2 computers and if you already have Windows 98 SE, Windows ME or Windows 2000, you've already got the software to share your Internet connection.

Of course, if you have a large network or don't have the resources to have a computer dedicated to serving your Internet across the network 24/7, then the extra money required should definitely be worth it.

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