Home Networking

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AutoX

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Hi Fellow MyADSL'ians:D

I would like to setup a home network between my desktop and laptop.

I am looking for advice on which are the best options.
  1. Wired or Wireless (Cost Estimates?)
  2. Switch or Routers (Cost Estimates?)
  3. Equipment Required
  4. Equipment Recommended

Then, is there any good tutorials someone on MYADSL have used before to approach home networking from a beginners point of view?

I use a vodafone modem for online browsing and emails. I would appreciate serious responses in this regard.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
Please give us some more info: distance between the two computers and consider issues like walls between rooms.

Also, will you be heavily using the network for file sharing or just sharing the 3G card?
 
Hi Rewind,

Distance between the two Pcs wont be much at the most 3m should I go wired.

Distance between the two Pcs should I go wireless will be at the most 15m. Walls....well there will be at least 3, hope i am saying this correctly:)

Ideally I would like to use the network both for file sharing and browsing.

Thanks for the quick reply:)
 
Well you do get a 3g router which i would think it has network ports so you could just plug your pcs into that, or if there is no built in network ports get a small hub and plug the router into that as well as your pcs. ummm, if you gonna do alot of heavy file sharing i would stick to wired.
 
Hey Scooby,

Thanks for the input, I tend to agree with you on the wired bit for heavy file sharing. I do however have network ports.....
 
You know, the convenience allowed by the wireless is probably worth the price. The question is what kind of 3G modem do you have? Is it a USB or PCMCIA version?

The wireless router should cost you about 700 bucks max (get a Linksys or Netgear) and this can be placed right next to the desktop so that will connect via cable. I'm assuming your laptop has wifi built in so you should be able to get signal from a far range as the signal is vastly better on laptop.

With regards to setting up the 3G modem, if it's USB then you'll connect it to the desktop and share the connection. This requires a bit more in-depth skill but is easily do-able. I used to do it with my Sentech connection and I assume that the 3G modem is similar.

If however it is a PCMCIA 3G card then you can buy a Linksys router that the card slots into and shares the connection wirelessly. I'm not sure how much this costs now but when I checked about two years ago it was over two grand.

Hope this helps!
 
Rewind said:
You know, the convenience allowed by the wireless is probably worth the price. The question is what kind of 3G modem do you have? Is it a USB or PCMCIA version?

The wireless router should cost you about 700 bucks max (get a Linksys or Netgear) and this can be placed right next to the desktop so that will connect via cable. I'm assuming your laptop has wifi built in so you should be able to get signal from a far range as the signal is vastly better on laptop.

With regards to setting up the 3G modem, if it's USB then you'll connect it to the desktop and share the connection. This requires a bit more in-depth skill but is easily do-able. I used to do it with my Sentech connection and I assume that the 3G modem is similar.

If however it is a PCMCIA 3G card then you can buy a Linksys router that the card slots into and shares the connection wirelessly. I'm not sure how much this costs now but when I checked about two years ago it was over two grand.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

E220 - USB Modem,

What cable would I use for connecting the PC to the router? Or will this be included when I buy the router?

I do have wifi on my laptop.

Thanks again for the input Rewind :)
 
AutoX said:
Hi Fellow MyADSL'ians:D

I would like to setup a home network between my desktop and laptop.
Click to expand...

1) Is the laptop there all the time?
2) What kind of 3G modem do you have?

1) Cheapest route: You don't even really need a network hub, all you need is a "crossover" ethernet cable between the laptop and the desktop. Whichever computer has the 3G modem you enable internet connection sharing, the other computer is set up to use the shared internet. Benefits = cheap, easy to set up, file-sharing is fast. Disadvantages = no room for expansion, Internet Connection sharing can be a pain / problematic.

2) Medium route: (Recommended) Buy a cheap network hub (or even better and ADSL router with ethernet ports). plug both laptop and desktop into the hub / router, enable internet connection sharing on the computer that has the 3G card. Benefits: room for expansion, file-sharing is fast.

3) Highest route: Buy a linksys 3G Combo ADSL router. Buy a wireless adapter for the desktop and the laptop. go completely wireless. Benefits: mobility, room for expansion. Disadvantages: expensive, file-sharing is slower, more difficult to set-up.

I would guess that 90% of the users on this board end up sticking with a cable solution like the medium route I gave you. We normally only use Wireless on our fancy devices, cellphones, media devices, and friends computers we are busy fixing. We prefer the wired network because it is faster and ultimately serves internet sharing better.
 
2PC's with a E220 Modem...

In that case, just get a crossover ethernet cable and set up Internet connection sharing. This is fast, stable and Cheap! The cable will be less than R40 for a few meters.
 
Garyvdh said:
1) Is the laptop there all the time?
2) What kind of 3G modem do you have?

1) Cheapest route: You don't even really need a network hub, all you need is a "crossover" ethernet cable between the laptop and the desktop. Whichever computer has the 3G modem you enable internet connection sharing, the other computer is set up to use the shared internet. Benefits = cheap, easy to set up, file-sharing is fast. Disadvantages = no room for expansion, Internet Connection sharing can be a pain / problematic.

2) Medium route: (Recommended) Buy a cheap network hub (or even better and ADSL router with ethernet ports). plug both laptop and desktop into the hub / router, enable internet connection sharing on the computer that has the 3G card. Benefits: room for expansion, file-sharing is fast.

3) Highest route: Buy a linksys 3G Combo ADSL router. Buy a wireless adapter for the desktop and the laptop. go completely wireless. Benefits: mobility, room for expansion. Disadvantages: expensive, file-sharing is slower, more difficult to set-up.

I would guess that 90% of the users on this board end up sticking with a cable solution like the medium route I gave you. We normally only use Wireless on our fancy devices, cellphones, media devices, and friends computers we are busy fixing. We prefer the wired network because it is faster and ultimately serves internet sharing better.
Click to expand...

Hi Garyvdh,

Thanks for your great response. In regards to your questions, I have a E220 - USB Modem (Vodafone) and the laptop is mobile.

I like you idea on the medium route, I will do a search for an ADSL router with ethernet ports. You dont by any chance have any recommendations to this...? Thanks again for the excellent response.:)
 
AutoX said:
I like you idea on the medium route, I will do a search for an ADSL router with ethernet ports. You dont by any chance have any recommendations to this...? Thanks again for the excellent response.:)
Click to expand...

I'd rather go with the Cheapest route for now. Then when you do decide to upgrade in future, it's not a problem at all.

If you go the Medium Route/Want a network hub aka Switch it'll cost you about R140 + the needed ethernet cables.

Both ways gives you a very fast network connection for file&internet sharing etc etc
 
AutoX said:
Hi Garyvdh,

Thanks for your great response. In regards to your questions, I have a E220 - USB Modem (Vodafone) and the laptop is mobile.

I like you idea on the medium route, I will do a search for an ADSL router with ethernet ports. You dont by any chance have any recommendations to this...? Thanks again for the excellent response.:)
Click to expand...

you are welcome... I think I might have one of those old Telkom ADSL Marconi routers lying around... it has four ethernet ports. But most of the newer ADSL ethernet routers also have built in Wireless as well. You should be able to pick up a (Telkom) Mega router or a Billion wireless router for pretty cheap as well. I will check prices at the computer shops as well for you. The great thing about those routers is that they work very nicely as network hubs as well.

whereabouts are you btw?
 
wireless can be very inefficient in old houses with lots of thick walls. Some extra wired to wireless APs might be required.
 
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