sharing static IP address that is a subnet

Thank you all in advance for giving time on this. I have a network of 14 pcs (OS Window 98SE), via SMC hub connected to the net via Lucent modem, and only 6 has an IP address. Other than using Windows 98SE and XPs ICS feature and without assigning one unit as a server, what other solution can you offer to share the IP address to the other PCs so I can get all the units in the internet. My ISP assigned a static IP address (83.110.xxx.xx) for my gateway with subnet 255.255.255.248.

I am planning to buy a US Robotics ADSL router to replace my existing Lucent modem (probably this could help solve it?).

All you need is a router that should take care of sharing the internet connection.

However, I am not sure if getting an ADSL router would relieve the existing modem. I believe your connections will look like as follows:

internet link-----modem-----US Robotics Router-----Hub---PCs

Thanks.
The Network Department

Since I was subnetted 255.255.255.248, will it not pose any problem to share internet to more than 6 pcs? I understand this subnet is for 6 pcs only.

Thanks again..

that means you can only have 6 devices with public addresses (meaning they can be accessed from the internet). you just want the PCs to be able to get out and that will be accomplished by NAT/PAT. basicly only the router will have a public address and the PCs on the internal network would use a private address scheme like 192.168.0.0/24 and be translated to the routers public addresses when making internet requests. whith PAT you can have a little more than 64,000 PCs using the one public address (first 1024 ports are usualy used by the device) only things that would need publics after that would be like mail servers or web servers.

Thanks.. I will go ahead and buy the router.. if you have any more tips as to the proper configuring of the router please let me know..

Also I am considering of getting an internet booster shareware.. is this advisable?