Home Network Questions..

[Shaft]

OK guys, getting a new laptop with a wireless network card for school but would like to set up a network at home as well (something I havent attempted to do before) and would just like some help on what I need to do...

I have a cable modem, 1 Desktop and 1 Laptop...

I figure I will need a router with wireless capabilites connected to the modem, then have that connected to the PC and sync in the Laptop to the router, but really not sure on specifics...

Do routers allow connections with cables and wireless?...Are certain routers / switches better? Do i need to set IPs on the computers?..Any input would be grateful.

Thanks

[Eric]

you can combine cables and wireless... the computers should basically configure themselves.. at least they did for me... i'm sure someone with more experience will chime in soon

[j0ntar]

ill chime in when my shrimp scampy is done. Basically you can route it via router or a server it is easier with a router. For more on networks read up on NAT or Packet Mangle, cause thats how you are going to do it.

[Seawolf]

Extremely brief version: Go buy a Linksys router (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384663529&skuId=5250774&productCategoryId=pcmcat25300050001&type=product). Plug the cable modem into the Internet or WAN plug on there, plug in your desktop to one of the numbered ports, and let your laptop find the router.

It's easy as hell.

[Wildwilly]

how easy is hell anyway?

[Dogg]

When I take over it's gonna be a cake walk... :boink:

[j0ntar]

Well i was going to write a big howto but i dont think you need one. -=]

Just buy the router will has linked you to. Read the directions, which will say, Unplug your modem, connect the router and the modem, connect the router to your pc (one with the nic card). Turn on the modem and router, turn on pc. Connect to ip 192.168.1.1, set your password, click the status tab, make sure your router got an ip. Type cmd in the run box, make sure your computer has an ip of 192.168.1.x (x=range you set in router config). Once you do all that set up and secure your wireless network then get your lappie booted up.

[Shaft]

alright, cool, thanks for the help guys

[Shaft]

got the PC connected to the router (bought the one you suggested, Linksys Wireless-G) and just waiting on the laptop to be delivered, hopefully that is just as easy to connect...thanks

[000buck]

ok.. here is my setup...
dsl into linksys router, 4 ports on router.. 3 wired to computers, and the 4th being a port as well as an uplink port, goes to another hub which also has an uplink port which goes to my wireless access point.

bam.. you have wired and wireless.

i have 4 computers on wired, 1 on wireless, and 2 extra rj 45 ports if needed plus the wireless for friends and family that come over.

[Shaft]

nice Buck...

if I wanted to put my printer on the network so I could access it from the laptop how much more work would that be?

[000buck]

nice Buck...

if I wanted to put my printer on the network so I could access it from the laptop how much more work would that be?

just share it.. you have to turn on sharing on that perticular computer its hooked up to.

or you could buy a network printer port.

[Shaft]

got the laptop finally...loveing this wireless stuff...nothing like taking a crap and talking online at the same time..haha...really was super simple to get wireless going..laptop detected network first time i turned on, didnt do a thing...

still havent figured out printer to get going wireless, but also havent done any research...

anyways, thanks for help again