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Home Networking Query

V

vivek

Member
Hi Friends,

I am a newbee in home networking ( 😕 ).....so hopefully you will bear with me and answer my questions.

What I have
1. AT&T Digital Broadband Cable Internet

What I want
1. Browse the internet from my laptop without getting tied up in one place.
2. In case I build a desktop, share the internet connection between the laptop and the desktop and also share the data between the two pcs. I would like the desktop also to be mobile (what i mean is that I do not want to tieup the desktop to one place in the house, just in case)

My Queries
1. How do i proceed with the above ?
2. Would wireless be an option ?
3. Any special equipment ?
4. Any brand names ?

thanks in advance,

Sincere Regards
 
For security and simplicity, you'll probably want a broadband router. It makes your home network much easier to work with and requires that you do a lot less tweaking on your laptop to get to the Internet. Good brands include SMC, Linksys and Netgear. You'll be much happier you went this route - Hook up as many home PC's as you want without needing to buy more IP's from AT&T. Plus, you're secure from 99% of the threats from the Internet.

You could go wireless - I've got the Cisco gear at home and it works nicely all over my house with the laptop. You just need to look at the cost of the wireless vs. the convenience of being able to use it anywhere. People really like the Cisco gear but it's much pricier than the alternatives. Linksys wireless gets mediocre reviews, depending on the size of your house.

There are now a few companies making broadband routers with built-in wireless access points. I know nothing of the quality, but it's worth looking into.

- G



 
To add to G?s informative posting.

Non wireless Cable/DSL Home Routers usually has 4 ports. You can network 4 Desktop computers (or Laptops with NIC). You will have cabled network that can share the Internet with one IP connection.

The cost of the product is $60-$100.

The next level of products are Wireless Cable/DSL Home Routers, these usually have 3 ports that can connect with cables to 3 computers, and one wireless port (access point). The wireless port can be shared by more then 200 computers, that are equipped with wireless Network card.

The cost of the Wireless product is $200 - $280.

In both systems all of the computers can talk one to the others Internet or not.

You can read more about it here:

The Wireless Solution, or my Wife, Mother in low, Mom, Don't Allow Wires.

You can find reviews of the products here:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/pg/wireless_guide_index.asp
 
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