Switches???

I have a 8 port switch, 2 computers and cable access.. I want to be able to share the internet and still be networked to my other pc. Is this possible with a switch only or do I need 2 NICS in one PC and proxy software?

 

If the switch has no NAT (network address translation) then it is simply a hub that reduces packet collisions with buffering and caching.
Some IP's will give you a second IP address for about 5 bucks a month but to see each other you will have to enable file and printer sharing which will leave you exposed.
I guess you could make the 2 boxes see each other with a different protocol but that's out of my scope of knowledge.

Other than that idea you will have to use dual nics as a gateway.

 

Internet connection sharing?

How is your cable modem connected to the network?
If it is connected to one of the computers, enable Internet connection sharing on it and use the internet connection wizard on the second pc to connect via LAN.
ICS will require the first pc to use IP 192.168.0.1 and will automatically assign an IP to the second.