Connecting two computers to broadband

wired-woman · 06-12-2005, 12:30

Hi
I realise this is a rudimentary question but my neighbours have asked for help. At the moment they have one computer connected to ntl broadband. They have just bought another computer (yet to be delivered) and they want this to be connected to broadband too. Which would be the easiest route - they don't mind whether it's wired or wireless but they are reluctant to open the boxes (I'm not sure if either of the machines have a network card).
Any help and suggestions as to what type of equipement to be purchased would be appreciated (as its likely that I'll be doing the job!) - is there an easy, USB, plug-in type answer?

Nemesis · 06-12-2005, 12:33

In short ... No.

Your choice of Wired/Wireless is the key.

If you go wireless, you will need to open up the PC's and add a wireless Network Card. Wired, you should not need to open up the PC's as long as both have an Ethernet card already.

The answer is a Router, which one ... well there are already many threads on here about the choices avaialable.

**Chris** · 06-12-2005, 12:35

You need a router, first of all. The most recommended model among members of this site is the Linksys WRT54g. This does have wireless functionality, which if you're buying a router anyway, I would have thought is worth having for future use even if you don't intend to go wireless immediately.

The router requires ethernet ports on the PCs. If the PCs don't have them, you can either open up the cases and insert some (at a cost of about £10 each) or buy USB-ethernet converters at about £20 each. To save £20, I know which I'd rather do.

Hope that helps.

handyman · 06-12-2005, 12:36

What they can use is a router like this one. SLing some cat 5 round the house and you'll have a network.

As for network cards in the pc's they have been standard for at least 2 years now though they are about £3 on ebuyer and are one of the easiest bits of kit to install.

zovat · 06-12-2005, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by wired-woman

Hi
I realise this is a rudimentary question but my neighbours have asked for help. At the moment they have one computer connected to ntl broadband. They have just bought another computer (yet to be delivered) and they want this to be connected to broadband too. Which would be the easiest route - they don't mind whether it's wired or wireless but they are reluctant to open the boxes (I'm not sure if either of the machines have a network card).
Any help and suggestions as to what type of equipement to be purchased would be appreciated (as its likely that I'll be doing the job!) - is there an easy, USB, plug-in type answer?

I would guess that the new computer will have a network card in it, so the easiest way would be to get a simple router.

There are plenty of discussions on this forum about which ones are best.

A wireless router would be more flexible, but if this is another desktop I guess it will be pretty much static.

If the machine does not have a NIC, then you could get a usb network adaptor (about £15) or a usb wireless adaptor (about £20) and connect using those.

HTH

<edit - like Chris said

>

handyman · 06-12-2005, 12:42

Well at least we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.

Or should that be carol sheet given the time of year :P

Halcyon · 06-12-2005, 12:42

Nearly all brand new computers will have a built in ethernet port on the back so thats all you need if you want a wired network. Then just get a wired cable router, some cat 5 ethernet cable and you are on your way. Connect it all up and you'l be surfing in no time.

Its all a question wether they want to use the PC's in different areas, wether it would be inpracticable to cable the house, etc.
That will help you to choose between wireless routers or wired.

jonbr · 06-12-2005, 12:42

If one of the machines is to be a little distance from the cable modem, you could use a wireless usb adaptor (if you/they don't want to open up the machines) and get a wireless router. The other PC would still use the wired connection into the router.

06-12-2005, 12:44

I would recommend using nothing more than a cross over cable!

It's cheap and very easy to setup.

All you need is a network card in both machines, But you will have to use a usb connection with your cable modem. If you do not want to connect your modem via usb then you will have to add a second network card to the computer that is going to have the modem connected to it. But as you said you don't want to have to open up the computer so really this means the modem will have to connect via usb.

Just run the network wizard on both machines and your away!

The only draw back to this method is that the computer that has the modem attached to it will need to be switched on in order for the second computer to be able to connect to the net.

But as I said this is a dirt cheap way of doing it as there are many ways to setup a home network in order to share files/folders and internet connection etc.

kfridge · 06-12-2005, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

I would recommend using nothing more than a cross over cable!

internet connection sharing is not the best way to go in my experience...but i guess thats just 'cos i've never got it to work reliably!

Another option is to go for some mains networking you would still need the router though. This has some of the advantage of wireless in that you wont need to run CAT5 cable all over the house, just a simple patch lead from the plug socket to the PC would suffice, the network traffic is carried over the mains wiring so in effect wherever there is a mains socket there is potential to network a computer! You also wont have to worry about setting up wireless security either...

06-12-2005, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfridge

internet connection sharing is not the best way to go in my experience...but i guess thats just 'cos i've never got it to work reliably!

Another option is to go for some mains networking you would still need the router though. This has some of the advantage of wireless in that you wont need to run CAT5 cable all over the house, just a simple patch lead from the plug socket to the PC would suffice, the network traffic is carried over the mains wiring so in effect wherever there is a mains socket there is potential to network a computer! You also wont have to worry about setting up wireless security either...

Lets face it. Thats a little bit extreme and expensive just to share an internet connection on another computer.

And there is nothing wrong with sharing a broadband connection either. I install networks for a local authority and it's really easy to do. It just comes down to what an individual wants to use it for and how much they can afford to spend.

I always recommend a hard wired network over a wirless as a wired is much more reliable etc. But it does have it's draw backs, such as having cable runs. Wirless solves this problem and is by far a lot neater.

But wireless in my opinion is not all it is cracked up to be. But remember everyone's opinion is different and we all have our own set way of doing things.

Neil · 06-12-2005, 13:23

*Moved to Computers & I.T Forum*

Please see http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=31794 for more info.

wired-woman · 06-12-2005, 16:12

Guys, I'm overwhelmed by your responses!! Thanks so much :-)

**Chris** · 06-12-2005, 16:15

We aim to please.

idi banashapan · 06-12-2005, 16:58

to do thie requested without opening the boxes, buy 2x USB wireless network connectors (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal..._Adapters.html) create a wireless network and share the internet connection - job done.

shoult take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to set up and get working.