Home PC Network Help

[sdd]

Guys

Please point me out in the right direction ...

I need some practical advice as how to set up two pc's at home on a network.

I would like to play multi-player games with my son and allow him to print on my laserjet ....

This whole networking thing is a bit foreign to me ... what I am looking for is what do I need to get in order to set up a WIRELESS network ... an indication of prices will help ....

If you can provide me with a quote that would be great ...

Details of setup:
Dist bet PC = 15m with 3 walls in between
PC 1 and PC2 have got PCI and USB slots available.
I would like to talk to him while playing games as well...

Thanks in advance....

Please pm me.

SDD

 

[willirob]

do you have a router

 

[Ryder_JHB]

I know you said a Wireless network - but do you realise that you can link the two systems together with nothing more than a crossover network cable? (Provided both systems have a network card inside)

This would be far cheaper (and faster) than current wireless speeds, and you would be able to do everything which you have mentioned.

 

[mic_y]

very true ryder...

only thing is some people dont wanna run cables.

sdd, do you want to share an internet connection as well, or only a printer?

 

[Luke7777]

Similiar setup here :

Layout :
2 PCs (XP home) for the kids in a spare bedroom down the passage (+-10m)
My PC and the wife's laptop in study

Equipment in the study:
Linksys WRT54G router, wired connection to my pc (fixed ip) and laptop (dhcp)
Kids:
Each PC has a Linksys WUSB54G adapter (Fixed IP)

I didn't use the Linksys Networking utility to setup connection from the kids PCs to the router. Used standard Windows functionality and had much less problems

There are a number of USB adapters available, the experts can provide more info as to the diferences.

This also gives me the ability to update their software via the net, as well as 2 backup PCs for net access in case something happen to mine
HTH

 

[skydog]

This whole networking thing is a bit foreign to me ... what I am looking for is what do I need to get in order to set up a WIRELESS network ... an indication of prices will help ....

If you can provide me with a quote that would be great ...

go with ryder's option.

Wireless
2 USB adapter @ R300 = R600
Wireless AP @ R700 = R700
Total = R1300
add frustration and possible breakage of various electronic equipment (or non) that you may break while throwing toys out the cot.

Cable
2 X NIC @ R100 = R200
1 X 15 -20m Cross-over UTP cable = R100
Total = R300
Those prices are inflated too
maybe add a few bob for something to neaten the cable.

just do the cable route dude

edit: had a thought I guess you dont need the AP you an do peer-to-peer/ad hoc
add time and money to visit therapist to get over the stress of wireless

 

[sdd]

I have budgeted about R1500 for the hook-up.

My house layout does pose a problem for cabling so it is more prudent to go the wireless route.

I am liking Luke777's setup ...

Tell me is wireless really such a pain in the butt ...

I connect up to the internet using GRPS/EDGE (local infrastructure constraints) so my main needs really is to play games between the computer and on the odd times print from the slave pc

I don't know about all this router stuff and will research it on google.

 

[sdd]

On the internet I see a lot of reference to a network kits ... does using this alleviate the 'frustration' associated with wireless?

 

[Wowbagga]

Home network confusion

Thanks sdd!
I just spent a good few hours trawling MyADSL for just this sort of thread! Maybe this needs a sticky too!
I'm just about to get ADSL, my dialup connection has decreased to 31Kbps recently (is that part of the Telkom plan to take over the world too?)

I want to set up a home network for a lot of the same reasons as sdd with a desktop 2 laptops for work after hours (not necessarily at the same time) and a PDA. I also assumed that getting 384DSL, a wireless modem and a USB adapter was the easiest thing to do. I can't run cable either. there doesn't seem to be a simple plain English explanation on the forums, so hence this post. What's best?

 

[Luke7777]

When you say "I'm just about to get ADSL" remember, there's a difference between deciding to order ADSL and actualy getting it installed

If that was me, I'd go :
adsl modem
router (I don't like combos, hence the separate modem)
desktop wired to the router
laptops might have built in wireless, check first, otherwise look at the links above for usb adapters or use pcmcia ones

 

[squirrel]

sdd do you already have an adsl router/modem?

If you don't, you could get a Wireless Router/Modem combo for around R700, a wireless PCI/USB card for the one computer, and just simply plug the other computer in to the router, you do NOT need a wireless card if it's in the same room!

Alternatively, you could just do a similar setup replacing the router/modem with a WRT54G

 

[CrazyBob]

Setting up a wireless network can be frustrating, but it's actually not that hard.

Not sure why Luke7777 says he doesn't like combo's - the way I got it which I think works easiest & best:

ADSL Line --> Netgear DG834G Netgear modem/router combo --> via network cable into your main PC.

Set up the modem/router as per instructions (very straight-forward with the netgear). Always best to use WEP key encryption for the wireless link.

Then it's a simple case of running the Network setup wizard in XP on your main PC & then on any other PC's you may have.

The other PC's would obviously need either a wireless card or as luke says, laptops often have built-in wireless. Windows should pick up any wireless connections straight away.

The only bit I've had problems with in the past is if you want to share files between PC's over a wireless connection. Windows disables this by default and HIGHLY recommends you don't do it. Can't remember exactly where that setting is, but just ignore Windows -- it's funny that way

 

[sdd]

sdd do you already have an adsl router/modem?

If you don't, you could get a Wireless Router/Modem combo for around R700, a wireless PCI/USB card for the one computer, and just simply plug the other computer in to the router, you do NOT need a wireless card if it's in the same room!

Alternatively, you could just do a similar setup replacing the router/modem with a WRT54G

no dude... I do not have a router ... or anything else....

I am challenging myself on this mini-project to have ti setup and running by this weekend if possible....

Thank you guys so much for the info thus far ...

Oh yes ... for others looking at this thread for advice ... check out microsoft.com ... they have a cool guide on setting up a home network (called netsetupguide).

 

[killadoob]

dude go with a wire setup

playing games will be much better

networking is so easy
get a cable run the wizard

boom setup

 

[bwana]

The guy says he wants wireless but do people listen?? Not everyone likes/wants drilling holes in their walls and ceilings and fastening down wires all over the place - my missus sure frowns upon it.

SMC (I think) does some USB wireless units that might serve your needs to set up an ad-hoc network. Get one for each pc and off you go. They should even come with the right software to make life even easier.

Unless you're planning on getting ADSL in the future then you can always go the wireless router route.

 

[Luke7777]

My anti-combo reason(s) :
1. My connection is not ADSL based currently, and maybe never, so I don't need an ADSL router combo.
2. It provides me the flexibility to change between connectivity options with ease (on my side that is ) i.e. If Telkom decides to award me the privilege of having ADSL connectivity, I merely swop the MyWi modem for an ADSL one. If BPL becomes an option, same thing..out with the old, in with the new.
3. If the modem is faulty, it doesn't affect my home network

This is a personal preference, and doesn't mean that a combo is bad. I just like to minimise the impact if something goes wrong

 

[bwana]

My anti-combo reason(s) :
1. My connection is not ADSL based currently, and maybe never, so I don't need an ADSL router combo.
2. It provides me the flexibility to change between connectivity options with ease (on my side that is ) i.e. If Telkom decides to award me the privilege of having ADSL connectivity, I merely swop the MyWi modem for an ADSL one. If BPL becomes an option, same thing..out with the old, in with the new.
3. If the modem is faulty, it doesn't affect my home network

This is a personal preference, and doesn't mean that a combo is bad. I just like to minimise the impact if something goes wrong

Sound reasoning. I've got mine that way too out of circumstance - I got my wireless long before I ever had adsl.

 

[Luke7777]

One thing in favour of wireless :
In summer, the missus sure likes to take her laptop on to the patio, outside next to the pool, to work over weekends. Since she might need to VPN in to work, network connectivity is essential and 30m of CAT5 just doesn't do it for me Also it gets her out of the study, so I can race with speakers on and *not* with headphones As bwana xiv said, drilling is frowned upon, in this case by me

 

[bwana]

@Luke7777 - same here - we all laptops at home for most of our activities so wires would be trailing all over the shop if it wasnt for wireless. Instead we have some Airport Express units that we can move around as necessary.

 

[CrazyBob]

My anti-combo reason(s) :
1. My connection is not ADSL based currently, and maybe never, so I don't need an ADSL router combo.
2. It provides me the flexibility to change between connectivity options with ease (on my side that is ) i.e. If Telkom decides to award me the privilege of having ADSL connectivity, I merely swop the MyWi modem for an ADSL one. If BPL becomes an option, same thing..out with the old, in with the new.
3. If the modem is faulty, it doesn't affect my home network

This is a personal preference, and doesn't mean that a combo is bad. I just like to minimise the impact if something goes wrong

Yup, good points. I just like to have my 1 piece of sexy netgear equip sitting there doing all the hard work - less chance for 1 thing to go wrong than 2