Please note that the prices were good as of April 2002. The prices may be very different later (hopefully things will be cheaper!).

If you want a wired router, get this:
SMC SMC7004ABR Cable/DSL Router with 4 Port Switch
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005NBR6/qid=1013837360
$89.95

• Firewall security through Network Address Translation (NAT)
• Built-in Print Server
• RS-232 Port for connection to an external 56K modem or ISDN TA
• Hacker Attack Logging and VPN tunneling via L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec pass-through
• Works with PCs or Macs

If you want a wired AND a wireless router, get this:
SMC Networks SMC7004AWBR Wireless 4-Port Broadband Router with Print Server
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005ARK4/qid=1013837209/
$169.95

Note that this router comes with 3 wired ports AND it's wireless too. You can also plug a printer into the router as well for printer sharing. This is the model I have at home. Works beautifully.

• Built-in NAT firewall security
• Wireless operation at 11, 5.5, 2, or 1 Mbps
• Connects to a cable/xDSL modem, dial-up modem, or Ethernet backbone
• All-in-one solution provides switching, IP sharing, print server, and firewall security
• Platform independent--works with PC or Mac

If you're going wireless and you have laptops, you'll need a PC card. I strongly urge you to use the Orinoco Gold 802.11b Wireless PC Card, for $76: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006BA7X

You will probably need to buy ethernet cables as well. You can buy them at CompUSA, or online. Key thing is length -- how many feet do you need?

Belkin A3L791-07-S Category 5e Snagless Patch Cable (7 Feet) $5.94 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J1V5/qid=1013837681

Belkin A3L791-14-S Category 5e Snagless Patch Cable (14 Feet); Gray
$5.99
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J1UN/ref=pd_sim_electronics/104-0988947-4665520

Belkin A3L791-03-BLU-S Category 5e Snagless UTP Patch Cable; 3ft; Blue
$5.99
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JDF5/ref=pd_sim_electronics/104-0988947-4665520

Belkin A3L791-50-BLU-S Category 5e Snagless Patch Cable (50 Feet); Blue
$19.99
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JDF6/ref=pd_sim_electronics/104-0988947-4665520

Belkin A3L791-25-S Category 5e Snagless Patch Cable (25 Feet); Gray
$7.94
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J1V1/ref=pd_sim_electronics/104-0988947-4665520

The cable guy won't install it, but you can. It's really easy. It really, really, really is. If you can read instructions, you can do it.

You'll also need a software firewall as well. Here are your choices:

ZoneAlarm. Free. http://www.zonealarm.com. Good but basic. Sometimes crashed my Windows 2000 machine.

Tiny Personal Firewall. Free. http://tinysoftware.com. Great ... gives more advanced info than ZoneAlarm. I use it & quite like it.

Sygate Personal Firewall. Free. http://www.sygate.com. Great ... also gives more advanced info than ZoneAlarm. I use it & like it quite a bit. Kind of a RAM hog, but worth it.

NOTE: you will need to read and follow the instructions with these software tools! You will need to READ any popup windows that these software tools generate. Do NOT just blindly close the windows that will pop up! If you install them and get confused/annoyed, stop and reread the instructions.

Mac users, you do not have nearly the problems that Windows users have, so you should get a hardware firewall, but you probably don't need a software firewall. Windows being the insecure piece of swiss cheese it is, Windows users ABSOLUTELY REQUIRE both a hardware and software firewall.

One more note ... IF you have more than one Windows machine at home, and IF you have file sharing turned on, THEN you will need to futz with your software firewall after you install it in order to re-enable file sharing on your home network. Not hard, but you will need to read the instructions and follow directions.

Have fun! Networking your home environment is a fun and rewarding experience. Once you've done it, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.