Setting up a LAN

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Halogen

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As the name suggests. From what I understand you get 2 methods to LAN? I know the normal HUB method as well as they say you can use your modem's wireless??? The only way I see the wireless working is if both computers have a modem connected to it because none of the computers where/are built with a card that receives wireless. Whats the point then of it?

Anyway focusing on the HUB method can anyone give me good websites to get start on setting up a LAN? It was about a 3 years since I set up my own LAN :confused:. Also what are common problems you experience?

Thanks
Halogen
 
the point is I guess that you buy a wireless card instead of running cables?
Its difficult to understands what the problem is.
are you using a router or hub? if you plug your computer in the router/hub do you get an IP address? are you trying to share folders and LAN and stuff or are you trying to connect both PC's to the internet?
 
Noit.
2 computers, crossover ethernet cable and off you go, don't need a Switch (hub).
Only problem I experience is when Lamers try LAN and I have to redo the whole network.
 
There's nothing to it when setting up a LAN.

If you have 2 machines the easiest is to use a x-over cable.

If you have multiple machines the best would be to use a switch. Hubs are old school and flood your network with broadcasts.

Most machines come with build in NICS. Get yourself a 10/100 switch and cable them all up with some cat5 cable. Very simple and easy to do.

If all machines have wireless NICS then you can setup a wireless LAN using a AP. But I would stay away from this unless you know what your doing. Its generally insecure and the more machines you add the slower it becomes.

Also what kind of traffic are you going to put on the LAN? How many machines?
 
Well it will be a mini network (forgot to state that). Comprising of say about 5 PCs. Now it hasn't been set up yet but the person (school) asked what would be the best method of doing this and wants me to write a mini report on why this method is the best, possible problems, etc.

Bear in mind this isn't a homework task that I'm to lazy to do it is just that the school actually might implement a LAN that children can come play on. Anyway I highly doubt this will even be implemented.

Halogen (will read those links now Drake)

*edit* Btw which is a better system, wireless or HUB?
 
Last edited:
Halogen said:
The only way I see the wireless working is if both computers have a modem connected to it because none of the computers where/are built with a card that receives wireless. Whats the point then of it?
Click to expand...

Wireless dongle's are cheap. I'm using one.. thats how my home network is set up.
 
Halogen said:
*edit* Btw which is a better system, wireless or HUB?
Click to expand...

For this case, I would say a switch (not a hub). Wireless has a very particular purpose, and it is NOT to connect several machines together in a LAN; but rather a convenient way to connect certain machines to a LAN (like laptops). Rather buy a good switch and cable and use that....
 
Conradl said:
For this case, I would say a switch (not a hub). Wireless has a very particular purpose, and it is NOT to connect several machines together in a LAN; but rather a convenient way to connect certain machines to a LAN (like laptops). Rather buy a good switch and cable and use that....
Click to expand...

Agreed on the switch part (if u find a hub please let me know, i desparately need some, they are cheaper than getting a switch which can port span :) )

Wireless is perfectly capable of connecting many machines in a lan?

Halogen said:
Well it will be a mini network (forgot to state that). Comprising of say about 5 PCs. Now it hasn't been set up yet but the person (school) asked what would be the best method of doing this and wants me to write a mini report on why this method is the best, possible problems, etc.

Bear in mind this isn't a homework task that I'm to lazy to do it is just that the school actually might implement a LAN that children can come play on. Anyway I highly doubt this will even be implemented.

Halogen (will read those links now Drake)

*edit* Btw which is a better system, wireless or HUB?
Click to expand...

It sounds like a pretty small project to be honest, and without the pc's would prob cost you a couple of hundred bucks. You can get a really cheap 8 port switch for +-R200, get some cabling, Assign Ip's to each machine and ur off. Making it neat would probably be the hardest part out of this whole project.
 
tau1z said:
Wireless is perfectly capable of connecting many machines in a lan?
Click to expand...

It can, I just don't think it should; especially not in this case. I've seen before where people use wireless to connect 5 or 6 machines because it's easier than "messing around with all those wires" - only to be disappointed with the performance. Also, my point was that wireless has its place, but it is not necessarily a replacement for a wire network.
 
In your case I'd sugest a cabled network. Providing the distances are small.(less than 100m)Much cheaper and more secure than wireless.Oh and did I mention faster?:D
 
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