Combining multiple home networks?

[IamDavid]

A couple of my neighbors and I want to combine our 3 networks so we can all access each others files. We all have wireless networks and DSL. We can currently connect to each others networks by logging out of our own. But then we connect to the internet through the connecting network.. It seems like it shouldn't be that hard to do but I can't figure it out..

Thanks,
David

 

[JackMDS]

To do it right it going to be expensive.

A simple way is to install a second card on each computer and create a parallel independent Network.

Each computer would have its own network that connects to its own Internet connection, and a second network to share between all computers.

These two Networks can work at the same time.

 

[zetsway]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
To do it right it going to be expensive.

A simple way is to install a second card on each computer and create a parallel independent Network.

Each computer would have its own network that connects to its own Internet connection, and a second network to share between all computers.

These two Networks can work at the same time.

That's one way. I would just install a wireless card in each computer and connect to the computer wireless. Any other way is going to be expensive.

 

[emfiend]

If you're thinking of bridging over wireless, I don't think that's possible for filesharing because the throughput would be horrible. If that's what you want, just google "home lan" and follow instructions for changing the workgroup names on each computer to be identical and create accounts for each other on all three networks.

 

[zetsway]

Originally posted by: emfiend
If you're thinking of bridging over wireless, I don't think that's possible for filesharing because the throughput would be horrible. If that's what you want, just google "home lan" and follow instructions for changing the workgroup names on each computer to be identical and create accounts for each other on all three networks.

True, but what type of files are the sharing. If he wanted to he could try 802.11n. It's easier and lest of a headache. Otherwise, he would have to spend a lot of money.

 

[spidey07]

Honestly, there are SO many ways to do this. Jack's suggestion of separating the wireless LAN from the broadband access is very sound and straight forward. Here's a few options...

1) Centralized access point, each client has a wireless client/adapter and it's on it's own ip network, different from the LAN/broadband connection of each.
2) 6 wireless APs to form a triangle in bridge mode, will offer the best performance but it will be complicated and not for the faint of heart
3) Some form of WDS to form a single wireless network including multiple access points and hard coding the access point the clients are to associate with

In all honesty the best approach is a single AP, centrally located with adapters in each client machine associating to this AP on a separate IP network While not the best performance option it certainly is the easiest.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would grab several WRT54GL routers, and set up a WDS between the nodes. I don't know if you can do that with the stock firmware, but you should be able to using DD-WRT.

You would configure only one of those routers to enable DHCP, or even better, simply configure all of the machines with a static IP. Then you just need to set up routing tables for the wireless sharing LAN.

The idea of having seperate wired internet connections, and then a shared wireless network, is a good one.

 

[jonmcc33]

The bigger question is how much do you want to spend and do you want it to remain wireless or be wired? Then we can all narrow down our solutions to the best option. Right now everyone is giving you a ton of different options that vary far too much.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
I would grab several WRT54GL routers, and set up a WDS between the nodes. I don't know if you can do that with the stock firmware, but you should be able to using DD-WRT.

You would configure only one of those routers to enable DHCP, or even better, simply configure all of the machines with a static IP. Then you just need to set up routing tables for the wireless sharing LAN.

The idea of having seperate wired internet connections, and then a shared wireless network, is a good one.

Bingo - that's the easiest way, it's well-known and well-established, and lots of people have done it - it works.

Buy a single WRT54G that connects to your neighborhood's cable/DSL connection everyone will share.

Buy 3 WRT54Gs that link into that 'main' WRT54G; put these in each of the 3 homes.

Have the people in the homes link to their 'own' WRT54G, whether wirelessly or wired.

All done...