>>>>>You can pay more and get static IP addresses (I have a dynamic one, but it hasn't changed yet. Maybe if I turn the modem off.)
>With DHCP, the expiration of the IP address lease is configurable. Your ISP probably has a long (though not infinite) lease time set up for your address. I'm sure you could call them and ask how long you can expect the lease to last before it has to be renewed.
>
>>I was confused about how one machine could be hooked to the internet through the cable modem, and the other machine, hooked to the first, could use the same internet connection. With a dial-up connection using a regular phone line, I don't think it would be possible, because the first wired machine would need to "forward" the IP packets to the second. But the fact that it is the modem that has the initially connected IP explains a little. I guess it is acting as a router of sorts.
>
>'Hiding' one or more machines behind a single IP address is called PROXYing. There are a bunch of applications available to do it (some shareware). It's pretty common for xDSL, ISDN and cable modems to come with proxy software. I share my 28.8kbps modem internet connection at work with one other user using Proxy+. Unless I'm FTPing, the performance hit is negligible.

Ahh, Ok. Thanks for the explanation.