Networking for the first time

[ellisz]

Hi all,

I was just looking for some suggestions of an easy setup for some parts I have. I picked up 2 Belkin NIC cards and a Dlink wireless card for a laptop. Will these be compatible together?

My main goal was to connect 2 desktops via hardline but the Wireless card was only $10.00 so I picked it up. I don't have access to broadband internet yet but would like to be ready if it ever comes. What all would I need to connect these three cards and be able to share files and a printer?

I saw a post about a deal on a Linksys wireless access point & 4 port cable/dsl router. Would this work? I am not real familiar with the terminology for these components so if you know of any good info sites, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[rw120555]

Assuming the wireless card and the wap are both using the same thing (probably 802.11b) it all sounds good to me. For info on setting up, see the AN Networking FAQs, especially the ones about Internet Connection Sharing and Wireless Networking and Networking and sharing between computers.

In a nutshell, you'll connect your two pcs to the router, and if your WAP is external rather than internal (i.e. it is a separate piece of equipment rather than built in to the router) you'll connect it to the router too. When you get your cable or dsl you'll plug it into the router too. In the meantime, you can do your file and printer sharing between your machines. You'll have to configure your machines to do the sharing, and how you do that will depend in part on what OS's your are using. Write back if you need more help. Good luck.

 

[ellisz]

Alright, I have been doing some searching and reading and have some more questions.

This is what I have:
Desktop PC w/ Win98se/XP dual boot - use XP mostly and may remove 98
Desktop PC W/ Win98se
Laptop with Win95

I have PCI ethernet cards for the 2 desktops and a Dlink 650 wireless card for the laptop. It looks like I will need to put Win98se on the laptop to get the card to work but that should be ok.

I have a dial up connection so it makes it tough. I was originally looking at the SMC barricade Wireless router/AP because it had the print server and dial up sharing. I have since read some reviews and I am not so sure I will go that route. I have read that Dial up sharing is hard to configure and the router/AP has issues too. But after doing some more reading, it appears that as long as the main PC is on, a print server is not a necessity and internet sharing can be done with software like ICS?

How good would a set up be with just a normal Wireless router/AP and setting up the printer sharing with the main PC being on all the time and using software for the internet sharing? With the internet sharing, only one PC would be going at once since the connection is so slow but will the software make the connection slower? I just like to use the laptop upstairs to log on and check e-mail and it is a pain to get the wires all hoked up with the kids running around.

Also, would it be any different getting a wireless router/AP together or just getting a wired router and a simple wireless AP? Seems like getting them separte will be cheaper since the 802.11b stuff is getting cheaper.

One more thing. Can I have a printer on a USB port and one on the parallel port? I have a photo printer hooked up via USB right now and if I hook up a "network" printer, I would like to use the older Cannon BJC4000 I have.

Sorry this is long. Thanks for any help offered.

 

[rw120555]

If you've only got dialup I'm not sure what the advantage of getting a router is, as I'm thinking you'd still have to use ICS for the routing. Perhaps others can comment. In any event, I like having WAP and Router separate anyway. I'm thinking you buy a WAP, a switch instead of a router, and have your always-on PC that acts as Internet server and printer servers (2 printers is fine), and you are set. But I am used to working with routers, so maybe I am misisng something.

 

[ellisz]

I guess I only need a switch but if I ever get a broadband connection, a router would be better correct? I guess I have not really looked at the difference between a router vs a switch. Seems like the router is more common.

Seems like a dialup connection is sort of rare too I really wish I could get something faster. I refuse to pay $600 or a Satellite dish though.

 

[rw120555]

I guess there are routers with built-in modems -- see the Netgear RM356. Seems ridiculously expensive though, almost $300. Maybe there are cheaper alternatives out there.