Hub? Please help.

[TwoBoys]

Hi everyone
Sorry if my question seems a little basic but here goes anyways.

I have a desktop computer upstairs in my home. I have a laptop on my main level. Right now, I have a wireless router that allows me to connect to the internet that is on my desktop (cable). More often than not, my connection fails, and i can't get onto the internet. Sometimes unplugging the cable helps.

I have heard that a Hub can do the same job, actually more.

Here are my questions:

* If I get a hub, would my laptop connect to the internet through my desktop upstairs?
* Would i be able to share my files that are on my desktop using my laptop?
* We run a small business through the home, it would be fantastic if I could use the laptop to access the MYOB program that is on the desktop. Would that be possible?
* Finally, is a hub wireless like my router? Is it more reliable?

I would appreciate any help.. Thank you!

 

[Kwatt]

The answer to your questions is yes.

If you provide the model number of your router and more info on the notebook (i.e. does it have a wireless adapter built in).
Do not buy anything yet you may have all you need.

As for howto set everything up look for post by JackMDS. Follow the links provided. (that's what I do)

I am more of a wired kinda guy but, some wireless people will step up in no time.


Kwatt

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: TwoBoys
Here are my questions:

* If I get a hub, would my laptop connect to the internet through my desktop upstairs?

That's what the router should be doing. What router do you have and how is everything configured?

* Would i be able to share my files that are on my desktop using my laptop?

Again, that's what the router should be doing

* We run a small business through the home, it would be fantastic if I could use the laptop to access the MYOB program that is on the desktop. Would that be possible?

See above answers.

* Finally, is a hub wireless like my router? Is it more reliable?

No. Hub are just dumb boxes that send info to multiple locations. Routers are wireless and are smart in that they route (hense their name) the packets of informaton to the connection that needs it. They also provide DHCP services to assign IP Address and handle wireless. If you were going to add somethign into your network you'd probably want a switch, but if you have a router and only 2 computers there shoudln't be any need to add anything else.


You should have cable modem going into router. Router going into Desktop PC. Laptop connecting to router wirelessly.

Put all of them in the same workgroup and you should be able to access one from the other.

 

[TwoBoys]

Thanks for the help.

My router is TRENDnet, TEW-431BRP, 11g wireless AP Router and yes, my laptop has a wireless adapter.

Are you saying I may have everything i need to make a network? To share files and the internet?

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: TwoBoys
Thanks for the help.

My router is TRENDnet, TEW-431BRP, 11g wireless AP Router and yes, my laptop has a wireless adapter.

Are you saying I may have everything i need to make a network? To share files and the internet?

All you need to share files and the internet in a network setup is a router and a broadband connection. Switches and Hubs are just to expand the network when you need more ports than are included in your router.

 

[TwoBoys]

Sorry Frankie. I guess we posted at the same time.

So what your saying is my router should allow me to share files? hmmm. The setup I have now, im only able to get the internet. And most of the time, that fails.

Is there any documentation on how I can do this?

 

[TwoBoys]

Jacks? Anyway you could link me to a site that lets me do the above? Step by step for a dummy

 

[kevnich2]

As Jack stated, instead of going through your desktop for internet, connect the cable connection into the WAN port of your router and then hook all of your other wired connections into the LAN ports on your router, voila. This would also eliminate the need to have the desktop having internet sharing and having to have it turned on. And yes, it would also allow you to have a network and share files. This is how it should be setup: Internet--coax cable--Cable Modem--CAT5 cable--WAN Port on Router LAN port on Router & Wireless
/
Wired PC's and wireless notebooks

 

[TwoBoys]

Put all of them in the same workgroup and you should be able to access one from the other.

This is the part I do not know how to do.. Could someone give me a rundown?