Networking Question [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

ShelleBink

06-28-2006, 05:53 PM

How would I hook up 3 laptops and one desktop to a network in an apartment?  Is it easier to go wireless or have cables everywhere?  The laptops all have wireless cards already, but the desktop does not.  We also have a wireless hub.  Keep in mind, we all have limited funds ((college kids)).  I'm really clueless about this whole thing, so any help is appreciated. Thanks everyone.

PapaBear

06-28-2006, 05:57 PM

If you want them all to have internet access, I don't think the hub will do. You'll need a router. Since you already have 3 comps with wireless, it would likey be cheaper to get a wireless router and a wireless hookup for the PC. I prefer hard wired, though. I don't trust wireless, but you'd have to buy a lot more to go with hard wire.

mdr55

06-28-2006, 05:59 PM

Whatever you're trying to do.................sounds hot.

suggums

06-28-2006, 06:01 PM

PapaBear wrote: If you want them all to have internet access, I don't think the hub will do. You'll need a router. Since you already have 3 comps with wireless, it would likey be cheaper to get a wireless router and a wireless hookup for the PC. I prefer hard wired, though. I don't trust wireless, but you'd have to buy a lot more to go with hard wire.  what he said. go wireless, and good placement of the router helps.  just get one of those things that plugs into your pc via usb, they can be as cheap as $10

empulse

06-28-2006, 06:08 PM

Wireless:My exp with wireless is bad, too many things seem to affect 2.4ghz freq...Linksys Routers w/Larger Antennas work OK @ best. they should require little or no setup.Just plug CAT5/Ethernet cable from Cable modem/DSL Modem to the INPUT/UPLINK of the router and it should pretty much configure itself.I did find that my neighbor was connecting to my router tho, so i had to put in an SSID (security) its very simple.. read the instructions.Wired:Waaay more reliable, but you will have wires running all over if you don't have access to your attic ( i do, and still i have wires everywhere..)Setup is simple Plug the Ethernet/CAT5 cable from the modem into the router, now the router will only support 4 device/PC's, but that sounds like it will do for you.  Each PC/LAptop will need an ethernet card (NIC CARD) for laptops if one is not prebuilt into it.. they sometimes are salty i think ($25?) but if its already there then just run a cable from it to the router.None of these for the common user require hardly any setup, They come pre-configured to NOT accept setting changes or commands from Outside (meaning hackers/scanners can't get you).WHy i hate using a router, i think it slows down the games i play online (nerd much?) also the built in security sometimes makes the occasional webpage load incorrectly, or not at all.  this has never affected any of my sites , but the woman couldn't access Old Navy and you woulda thought the 4 fucking horsemen were here..Also if no one else answers this with a more coherent mesage/replay just PM me and i can explain it better over the phone.

zentraed

06-28-2006, 06:26 PM

You should be more specific about your "wireless hub". If it really is a "Wireless Router", then it probably has some wired/Ethernet jacks available. You could position it near the desktop computer, plug it directly into the router and then have all the other computers access it wirelessly. If it's just a "Wireless Access Point", then you'll need to get a router of some kind. As someone said before, you can also get a wireless adapter for your PC (either an external USB dongle, or an internal card). Linksys is the most popular brand, but Netgear and D-Link are also popular. Wireless does have some issues from to time to time, but it's so much more convenient, especially with notebooks. You can take them outside, or any room in the house and it's fast enough to stream video between the computers (if you're into that sort of thing). You will want to secure your network somehow which involves a few steps. Your router will have instructions about it. I use WEP (Wired Equivalency Protocol), which requires everyone who accesses the network to know a key.

SatCam

06-28-2006, 06:54 PM

Wire where you can. If you have to use wireless, make sure it's secure. zentraed, WEP is hackable, so if you're really looking to keep your connection safe, you should use WPA.

feralBoy

06-28-2006, 07:03 PM

You can buy a cheap wireless router for like $20.Here's one:<a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127143%20&CMP=BAC-tbcpc">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127143%20&CMP=BAC-tbcpc</a>You would want an 802.11g router.With a wireless router, you can go wireless or wired.  It's your choice.  Basically, you can set up the router next to the desktop.  Hard wire the desktop to the router.  Then you can use wireless for the three laptops.  Then you wouldn't have to buy anything but a router.  In an apartment, you would get excellent wireless connection, unless your walls are made out of lead.  If you find that the wireless isn't working well, you can use ethernet cables to connect directly from the router to the laptops.  Super easy.  The hardest part will be setting up the software, and security, but even that is easy.

JPMNICK

06-28-2006, 07:12 PM

get a wireless router. take the 1 PC and put it in the room with the cable modem and router. then the other laptops can connect to the wireless router. this way you do not have to run any wires

CruelCircus

06-28-2006, 10:14 PM

Just to take the question a little bit further:In my house I have a wireless router that's wire-connected to a desktop and a wireless laptop.  The laptop's access is fine, and both computer's work fine.  My problem is, I can't figure out how to get the laptop to access the printer, which is hard-wired to the desktop.  (It's a new printer, and it's not a network printer.)  I created a home network on both comps, the desktop "sees" the laptop, and I've set the printer to share on the desktop, but I can't get the laptop to see the printer.Any ideas?

Tenbatsuzen

06-29-2006, 11:01 AM

Here's the setup I have in my apartment... A wireless router should have hard-wire inputs as well. Hard-wire the desktop to the wireless router, and keep the desktop close to the "internet station" - where ever the cable modem is. The rest of the laptops can be wireless, and you're good to go. Just make sure that you're using G protocol, and that the connection is password protected.  That way, you won't have univited guests surfing onto your network and killing your bandwidth.

JPMNICK

06-29-2006, 11:07 AM

CruelCircus wrote: Just to take the question a little bit further:In my house I have a wireless router that's wire-connected to a desktop and a wireless laptop.  The laptop's access is fine, and both computer's work fine.  My problem is, I can't figure out how to get the laptop to access the printer, which is hard-wired to the desktop.  (It's a new printer, and it's not a network printer.)  I created a home network on both comps, the desktop "sees" the laptop, and I've set the printer to share on the desktop, but I can't get the laptop to see the printer.Any ideas?right click on the printer on the desktop and choose sharing and set a name. now on your laptop go to add a printer and choose network. you will see the printer you just choose to share.

ShelleBink

06-29-2006, 02:26 PM

Thanks for the help everyone, I gotta look into Comcast ... and look into the hub that my roommate has, she mentioned something about it having a router too... but as I am completely clueless to all of this, I'm just gonna have to make the best with what I've got.  Again, thanks!!!  I'm sure if I blow something up, you'll hear about it :o)

FreshJ

06-29-2006, 05:53 PM

If using cable, then it is simple, first you hook up the cable modem to the wall, then a router(wireless or wired) to the cable modem, using the lan/internet port of the router and then if needed you can use a hub hooked into the router, that should allow you to get online.  Most of this stuff is really affordable, and if you check it out I saw that one company is offering $5 wireless routers, forget the name though.

CruelCircus

06-29-2006, 05:59 PM

JPMNICK wrote: right click on the printer on the desktop and choose sharing and set a name. now on your laptop go to add a printer and choose network. you will see the printer you just choose to share. That's just it.  I did all that and the laptop isn't seeing the desktop or the printer, even though the desktop sees the laptop.

JPMNICK

06-29-2006, 06:07 PM

zentraed

06-29-2006, 07:01 PM

CruelCircus wrote: JPMNICK wrote: right click on the printer on the desktop and choose sharing and set a name. now on your laptop go to add a printer and choose network. you will see the printer you just choose to share. That's just it. I did all that and the laptop isn't seeing the desktop or the printer, even though the desktop sees the laptop. You probably have a different workgroup set for the laptop. Do you know the Computer Name for the desktop? If so, go to the start menu, select "Run" and then type in "\COMPUTERNAME" and hit ok. The desktop should load up and you should see the printer. Then you can right click on it, select connect and you'll see it in all your programs