Can I use just 2 wireless NIC's for Internet Connection Sharing?

[Dre]

I want to share my DSL connection with 2 computers in the house. My question is, can I just buy 2 wireless NICS to do this? Here is the my info: 2 computers running winxp pro, DSL provided by mindspring using PPPOE, the dsl modem is external and is connected via a NIC to one of the computers.

Now, all I want to do is share the internet connection with the other computer via wireless means. I don't care about sharing files or anything else. Can I Do this by just buying two wireless NICS or do I need a router or something else? Are there any downsides I should know about?

Forgive me if I'm an idiot, I'm new to networking. Thanks in advance!

 

[JackMDS]

You can do it.

However, you will have to use the ISP?s PPPOE authentication program, and you need to use software Routing (NAT), in most cases this is a recipe for ongoing quirkiness, and speed reduction of your connection.

You will need two good Client Wireless cards, which will probably cost you $90-$100 each.

Buying a Cable/DSL Router, and one card will set you back $50-$70 more, but you will have a trouble free functional system.

With the right Router, you also get:
1. Hardware firewall.
2. Printer Server,
3. DHCP.
4. It takes care of the PPPOE.


Wireless Routers Compared



When it comes to Wireless your mileage may vary, there are too many environmental variables that are unique to each individual setting.

 

[ViperXX]

Yeah you can. Enable ICS on the DSL NIC. Put the wireless card in the computer with the DSL connection. ICS will automatically set the wireless cards IP address to 192.168.0.1. This computer will be your AP/gateway. Put the other wireless card into the other computer and assign it an IP of 192.168.0.2, subnet 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.0.1

 

[Dre]

JackMDS: thanks for your input.


Well, I don't like my computer running flaky. My best bet is to buy a wireless router and a wireless nic and just setup the wireless router next to one of the computersso that I would only need 1 wireless NIC, correct?

So, I'd be looking at spending about $250.00 or so total?

Can anyone recommend a good wireless router and wireless NIC?

 

[JackMDS]

Your summary is correct.

When buying a Wireless Client card take into consideration!

Most Client cards are PCMCIA, which work very well with Laptops.
For Desktop, it is usually better to use USB Wireless Card. Most PCI Wireless Cards with fixed antenna (stuck behind the PC) yield inferior results versus the Flexible Antenna on a USB card.


Conventional Wisdom claims that the combination SMC Wireless Router (About $160) Orinoco Gold (About $90, has PCMCIA, and USB versions)) yield the best results.

This link:

Reviewed: SMC Barricade Wireless Broadband Router Version "A"

ORiNOCO PC Card - Gold.

Search the sale sites you will find these item for $250-$300.

 

[spyordie007]

I didnt see anyone mention it so I thought I would. When you setup ICS on your desktop machine that has the internet connection you would want to setup what is called a "adhoc" network and make sure that both wireless nics are on the same channel, other than that the 2nd machine shouldnt have a problem picking up an IP and off it goes.

For security sake you might want to make sure that you are running TCP/IP only on that network connection so that if someone else with a wireless nic gets within range happens to be on the same channel they dont have access to your network, only your internet connection.

 

[Dre]

Another question. Do I need a dsl/cable router or a AP? What are the main differences between both? Also, I noticed that most AP's only come with one RJ-45 connection. Does that mean I would need two wireless NICS for it since the DSL modem would be plugged into the AP's RJ-45 connection? Thanks in advance guys.


Finally, which of these would you recommend from Dell? I want to buy it from Dell, since I can save a bit with all their coupons: Dell Wireless Routers and APs

 

[JackMDS]

Here is a general primer that hopefully will let you to make a decision.

Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

Here is a Wireless primer:

Wireless LAN consists on two main components.

1. Access Point (A/P).

Access Point is the Main Transmitter/Receiver that mediates between your LAN, and the Wireless computers, to the rest of the Network. It is connected to a regular RJ-45 port on LAN's Hub/Switch, or Router. It usually supports an excess of 100 clients.

2 . Wireless Client Card.

Wireless Client Card is the LAN card that you should install on each one your network computers, that you want to be Wireless.

Most Client cards are PCMCIA, which work very well with Laptops.
For Desktop, it is usually better to use USB Wireless Card. Most PCI Wireless Cards with fixed antenna (stuck behind the PC) yield inferior results versus the Flexible Antenna on a USB card.

Conventional Wisdom* claims that the Orinoco Gold (About $90) is the best Wireless Client Card (has PCMCIA, and USB versions).

This link:
ORiNOCO PC Card - Gold.

Access Points Compared

If you don't have Cable/DSL Router, you can buy a Wireless Cable/DSL Router, which is a Combo unit that includes Router to share the Internet, Switch for Wired Network and A/P for Wireless clients (plus more goodies).

The SMC Wireless Barricade is considered one of the favorites.

Wireless Routers Compared



When it comes to Wireless your mileage may vary, there are too many environmental variables that are unique to each individual setting.

 

[Dre]

Any opinions on the D-Link 713P router? It's supposed to be just like the SMC Barricade, but it seems to cost less. Are they really the same, no differences at all?

 

[spyordie007]

I've worked with the Baracade a little, but not with the D-Link at all. They both carry out the same function, however they wont be the same (differant ways of managing them, differant capabilities, etc.) Both of those devices are Routers JackMDS posted it earlier, make sure to check out the router section of this page:
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48
Hope that helps!

-Spy

 

[PRODD]

Linksys has great wireless products. Their router even include a print server.

Linksys Product Selection

 

[spyordie007]

ohhhh, I just spent the last 20 min. drooling over Gigabit switches, the prices have come down tons on networking equipment, for example:
D-Link EG0008 8 port 10\100\1000 switch, $600!
If only I could justify spending the $600 for the switch, plus the $200+ for replacing all of my NIC's on all the machines...
....hmmm, $800 isnt that bad, maybe I could just sell what's left of my soul

-Spy

 

[PRODD]

Gigabit is great !!!! Here is a price grabber link to Linksys Gigabit Switch kit. 2 Cards, cables and an 8 port Gigabit Switch for under $200.00

Price Grabber Gigabit Switch Kit

This looks like a great item.

 

[spyordie007]

<< Gigabit is great !!!! Here is a price grabber link to Linksys Gigabit Switch kit. 2 Cards, cables and an 8 port Gigabit Switch for under $200.00

Price Grabber Gigabit Switch Kit

This looks like a great item. >>


That's nice, but it's an "8+1", it's an 8 port 10\100 switch with a single gigabit port (the idea being that you would have a server or network that recieves a large amout of traffic on that gigabit port)
I was looking for all gigabit switch.
Here's one for you gamers, imagine a 8 port gigabit switch with one of those on 6 of the ports, than maybe 2 servers on the other 2 ports, and a big switched lan game. MMM Frags are good...