Networking Windows...

[silas]

Hi. I have 2 PCs, one with WinME, the other XP. I have only a vague idea of exactly what I need to set up a wireless network in order to share my broadband connection. I understand I need to establish a TCP/IP protocol but what equipment do I need? Do I merely need to buy a router? Will that allow the two systems, properly configured, to 'see' one another and share connections?

Thanks

Silas

.

 

[rwl]

It all depends on what kind of broadband you have.

It's actually simple. Buy a wireless gateway/router. Plug your broadband modem into the router. If you have cable then all you need are wireless cards in your computers and they 'should' connect. If you have DSL you'll have to telnet into your router and set up what number to dial to connect to the host network.

If you already have a non wireless router then you can buy a wireless access point. The as said above, get wireless cards in your equip and they 'should' connect.

I say should because sometimes you need to troubleshot certain small things to get them to connect.

O... and if you go wireless make sure you use/get 802.11g (not a or b). It's faster.

 

[trunks2k]

If you have DSL you'll have to telnet into your router and set up what number to dial to connect to the host network.

My DSL doesn't dial. It connects via the phone line, but it doesn't dial. All I did to set my DSL up on the router was log into the router, set the connection from DCHP to PPOE, and put in my username and password. There wasn't a section for a number anywhere. Nor was it there in any of the software that Verizon installed.

Anyways, TCP/IP is normally already installed on your system. You can check it in Windows 2000 by going to start...Settings...Control Panel...Network and Dial Up connections. Right click on Local Area COnnection and select properties. You should see a list of components that the connection uses, TCP/IP should be listed. If it's not, you can install it by clicking on the install button. I haven't used Winmdows ME, but it's a similar process, except there should be an icon on your desktop that says "Network Neighborhood", right click on that and choose "properties".

 

[marduke]

when you connect the modem to the router make sure you put it in the uplink port, otherwise you wont be able to use the internet. (on most routers there should be an uplink port)

and also trying to network in win ME is almost useless... lol its the most unstable O/S ever.

but basically what trunks said is right.

although you dont need a router. all you need is an NIC for the net to hook up to, and wireless NIC's in both computers (so the main computer has 2 NIC's) then just share the connection between the 2 computers. (using cat5 cross-over network cable) but this way the main computer must be on for the other one to be able to use the net.

hope that helps.

also do a search on google about networking, you find a goldmine of info! thats how i learnt to network (plus doing it at college)

 

[rdale]

Wired :
Instant Broadband EtherFast Cable/DSL Firewall Router with 4-Port Switch/VPN EndPoint

Wireless :
Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router

 

[rwl]

Trunk, you're right. My bad. I was thinking ISDN for a moment. You don't need to dial up for DSL, you do need to login however, with cable you don't.

Marduke, making one pc a host will work but it's not as fast. Also like you said, you need to have one pc (the host) on in order to have the other pc (slave) attached. Its really simple to just connect multiple PC's to any one access point or directly to a wireless router. This way one isn't dependant on the other.

 

[silas]

I thank you all for your prompt replies. I've been reading so much about wireless networking over the past coupla days I should be an expert by now, but sometimes it seems the more I read, the more questions I have. You have all been very helpful and I will be back with more questions

Thanks again.

Silas

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[rwl]

THe best way to learn is just to get it, set it up, break it, then have to figure out what went wrong. Seriously.

 

[merryheart]

Make sure you set up the security features on the wireless router... It is easy if you read the instructions, and if you don't people can use your bandwidth to do illegal things which can be traced back to your IP Address.
Examples:
1. Download and share mp3 files and get you noticed by the RIAA.
2. Send spam email.
3. perform other feats of hacking that are traceable - to *you* not the hacker.

a hacker will cruise a neighborhood with a laptop and a wireless card, and just connect right up to any unsecured network and then do whatever illegal thing they please...

 

[MSBS]

I've had good luck with d-link products when it comes to networking. I've used their wireless routers to set up wireless networks at three of my relatives houses and haven't had any problems. These days the things are pretty fool proof but if you run into trouble d-link has 24/7 tech support and will talk you through setting everything up.

Although I've no direct experience with this model, based on the specs and past experience with the company, this is the one I'd get if I were going to be setting up a new network.

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=6

a good price:

http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/DI-624