Help on networking please
 

This may sound confusing,and Im not sure its the right way to go.
Current config: Ntl 600 broadband through terrayon,connected to my main pc via ethernet.

Would like access to BB and file and print sharing on anothe pc which is approx 30 ft away. And I have a laptop,with network card (I think) it has been successfully tried connecting direct to Terrayon.

Because my other pc is on the same floor and not that far away from my main pc I thought about hard wiring under the floor,fitting a socket to the wall in 2 rooms,one for the laptop and one next to the "other" pc. (Hope this is not confusing) Thought wired system would be cheaper,than wireless.

My question is would this work..and what would I need to be able to do.

To review.. 1pc conected currently via ethernet to Ntl terrayon
Wish to run cable underfloor and fit sockets on wall,one next to my other pc,and one next door for laptop.

Or is it just as chep going wireless..is so how cheap for this config and any suggestions to kit

Any advise apprec..running xp pro sp2

Please forgive if above is confusing....very new to this networking thingy

Re: Help on networking please
 

Hi Trinity123 :welcome: to the forum :)

In my opinion the best way for you to achieve your goal is to use a router. e.g a Linksys Befsr41 - this will allow any of the 3 pc's to independently access the internet & share resources.

A wireless router will do the same, of course, but is a more costly option. As a compromise a 'wireless ready' router like the Linksys Befsr41W, could be a compromise that would allow the desktop PC's to connect with ethernet cable & the laptop to connect wirelessly after installing the appropriate cards in the laptop & router.

Re: Help on networking please
 

A wireless router like the Linksys WRT54G is now only about £10-15 more that it's wired equivilants mentioned above, to take the wireless ready - wireless costs more than this, so even if you don't use the wireless functionality initially may be better to buy wireless.

Amazon do a good price on the Linksys, use the shop here and help contribute to the sites running costs.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/amazonstore/ and type wrt54g into the search box.

I would wire the two desktops the connection is rock stable and does not occasionally drop out, it is also faster for file transfer etc.

You can then wire or wireless the laptop as you see fit / funds allow.


Using a router requires all the PCs have an ethernet socket, you cannot use USB (ethernet cards start from £2.50 these days though).

You may want to consider a router with a built in printserver, you can then connect the printer to the router, not a PC, then you don't need the PC it is connected to, to be switched on to print.

This netgear for example
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=52761
NETGEAR FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Firewall with USB Print Server

or you could get a separate printserver in the future

Linksys Printserver For USB - With 4 Port Switch

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=59956

again compare the prices on this sites amazon store.

Wireless will be more expensive £10-15 for the router and as your laptop is already ether equipped, the costs of adding wireless to the laptop. As said before I would wire the desktops.

Re: Help on networking please
 

I got confused with my own setup
but had it explained at Maplins

Just buy a router - mine cost about £30
run the cable modem into that (use a straight ethernet cable)- and it can stay switched on all the time

run cables from the router to the compters (make sure you use patch/crossover cables) and hey presto - up and running

I just plugged it all in and it worked no prob to my amazement

Re: Help on networking please
 

Yup, I'd agree with that - wired for the desktops & wireless for the lappy, plus a good call on getting a router with the print server built in :)

Re: Help on networking please
 

Thanks to all for replies: Think options are if I read correctly.

Buy router,cable and if required ethernet card.
or Go for wireless router Linksys WRT54G which will give me either the wireless option or wired option.

I would like in the future to go wireless,but funds right now are tight,so if I go down the route of Linksys WRT54 G will this be "futureproof" and fast enough for 600/750 connection,and if I keep my laptop hard wired via the 54g and wireless my pc's...what would i require . One pc is already connected to cable modem through ethernet card....and the other has a socket with networking type plug (which i must check if a card is installed) Would i be right in saying to connect my laptop "hardwired" to Linksys all I would require is ethernet cable.(It has a networking card installed) And would i require wireless card ? on one or both desktops. This aspect confuses me...do i need two wireless cards or just one (laptop seems to be covered) AND finally if I use hardwire for laptop,and use wireless for my desktops....will they all connect together even though one is wired and the others wireless. As far a printer is concerned,my main pc is on 24/7 so router with print server maybe not nessessary.

Price for linksys as above..approx £40
Ethenet cable to connect from router to laptop.. £2.50
Maybe? a card for one desktop
Wireless card ? if someone could confirm £ make /model.

Many thanks...it is very much appreciated.

Re: Help on networking please
 

The WRT54G will be futureproof, internally it has a throughput of about 70Mb/s on the wire connections (it is not 100 as it needs to examine the packet and route it). The wired is 54Mb/s max compared to your internet connection of 0.7Mb/s so no problems it slowing down your internet connection.

Wireless will take longer if you are doing big internal file transfers, say moving all your MP3s from one PC to another, but as you have a ethernet connection you just plug it in.

The price for an ethernet cable looks a bit optimistic, that £2.50 was for an ethernet card if you don't have one on both PCs, though it sounds like you do.

Wireless card, if you are planning to priimarily use it at home, I would get the same make card as the router. Get a g if funds allow.

The wired / wireless cloud in the house will all file and print share in exactly the same way as if it were all wired.

To start you would have Cable modem--> Linksys (or any other router) --> three ethernet cables from the sockets on the back of router to desktop 1, desktop 2 and laptop.

As you have a cable modem the initial install will involve turning this all off, pluging the CM into the router, the PCs into the Router, switching the CM on waiting a minute or so for it to linkup to NTL, switching router on, waiting for it to boot up and then switchng the PCs on, easy. If you are not using the wireless part initially, you can log onto the routers admin page (like a website) and disable the wireless for security.

Oh and :welcome:

Re: Help on networking please
 

Thanks once again

Linksys it is.

Just a few basics to hopefully finalise,

Can I run wired and wireless out of the same router (Linksys) Laptop can stay wired,as I dont really use it online a lot,and I can use it near CM and no 1 pc.
No 2 pc could go wireless,it does have netcard/ethernet

Take it that I only need one wireless card for the other desktop,as my main pc already connects to the CM by ethernet...presume I dont need a wireless card in it.

Thinkthats all :)

Really app all help

What I need to buy
For mix of wired and wireless
Router,wireless card for one desktop,small ethernet cable for laptop

For totally wired
Router.cable for no 2 desktop,smaller cable for laptop..no/one already is connected to CM by ethernet cable.

Re: Help on networking please
 

You can't go wrong with a Linksys. To add to what others have said: I use a WRT54G, & it works great :tu:

Yes, you can run wired & wireless out of the same router, no problem. The Linksys wireless routers, for example, have a 4 port switch for any wired devices, & a wireless access point for any wireless devices.

Yep, you only need a wireless card for the devices you actually want to connect wirelessly. If you are going to hardwire the main PC, then no need for a wireless card for it.

Yep. Also, any cables used for router>PC should be "straight-through" (sometimes called "patch") rather than "crossover".

Yep. Ethernet cable from modem to router. Ethernet cable from router to each PC.


Some useful info:

Wireless info thread: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=16296

How to secure a wireless network: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/kb/78/ho...reless-network