Computer as Wireless Router

[Odysseus145]

In my dorm there is only one connection to the network, but sometimes my room mate and I both need the internet. What I would like to do is share that connection wirelessly. That way he could use his laptop and I could be on this computer. Would I be able to install a cheap wireless nic in this computer and have it share the connection with ICS or would I have to by a router?

 

[Doh!]

Yes, you can do that. But why not just buy a router? They cost about the same these days (routers are cheaper due to massive sales & rebates).
I've picked up a new d-link for free after rebate a few days ago (wireless, G). At worst, you can buy one for $10~20 after the rebate.
Not many wireless nic go on sale as often as the routers.

Unless you already have a wireless nic, of course.

 

[Clocker]

call your it department at the university and ask them if it is ok to use a router. I know this sounds lame. but when i was in college i used my router and had the IT guys knocking on the door saying that it was messing with the network.

 

[seepy83]

as Clocker said, definitely ask first. the colleges that i'm familiar with allow student to use routers, as long as you turn off the DHCP server on it so that it is not acting as a rouge DHCP server on the network. the other solution would be to just get a small Hub and split the connection that way.

 

[Odysseus145]

I guess I'll keep an eye out for a router then. I know it's ok, because my laptop picks up a lot of wireless signals (encrypted of course). I'm at Louisiana Tech. We were supposed to have wireless access in the dorms since September, but for some reason they've been having problems. Apparently when they tried to turn it on, half the campus lost internet access.