No matter which product you end up with, you'll still need to plan your IP network. Some of the parallel port devices block the printer port, so you'll need a second parallel port or some other way to share the printer over the network. But the real challenge is sharing your Internet connection . If you are lucky enough to have a cable modem, ISDN or DSL access, you can share it on a regular network without too much trouble, provided you know enough. Ramp also resells the Sonic Wall firewall box, which is also something you'll need to protect your home from electronic intruders.
Ramp continues to sell products with solid and clear documentation.
If you don't want to deal with a firewall and can put two network cards in your PCs, a good alternative is to use software Network Address Translation gateways to protect your PCs. A good place to read up on this information is Darren Mackay's NAT Page . I do have a home LAN up and running here, after all this. That while many people have multiple PCs in their homes, getting them connected isn't going to happen quickly. The skills required are far beyond the average person's abilities.