Best way to interconnect 2 computers and one cable modem?

[ghoti]

I will have two computers located in different parts of the house. Both will run XP Pro. Both will have NIC built onto the mobos. Right now there is a CAT5 cable running from one room to the other. One of the computers is presently connected to the internet via a cable modem. The cable also runs to the room where the other computer will be located and I have another cable modem, but am under the impression that I cannot simply connect that second modem and computer up to the cable without further steps and charges imposed by the cable company.

In any case, one computer has an old B/W laser jet while the second computer has a multi function color inkjet. I'd like for the two computers to be able to share files and each use either printer. So, I guess I need either a wireless router or a wired router.

I have no wireless devices at the moment, and have no plans for a laptop. Nonetheless, would it be a good idea to get a wireless router to use rather than wired router? Or rather, is a wired router easier to set up, more stable in operation, etc.? Of course, as a side benefit to using a router, I will be glad of the hardware firewall benefits, too, although I expect to continue to use software firewall on each computer, as well.

I?ve heard good things about Linksys. I can't really discern the difference among WRT54G, 54GL, and 54GS. Similarly, I can't figure out the significant differences among the several Linksys wired routers.

Aside from selecting the router, how do I hook things up?

Any help and suggestions will be appreciated by this network newb.

 

[Steven the Leech]

My choice would be wired because a 1 security 2 speed 3 easiest 4 cost. Simply because you have a cat 5 cable in place [will be easy to connect the 2 pc's]. If you plan on getting a wireless device in the future you can get a wireless router, and still use the 2 pc's on a wired connection, just secure the wireless connection. As far as the printers you can enable sharing in windows and share over network.

Directions will come with the router
modem------>router [wan] router [lan]----------> #1 pc lan port1 #2 pc lan port 2

Here is a fairly inexpensive one|||||||||||

Go to networking and search for routers im sure you can find a thread on everyones opinion of the best.

 

[Aluvus]

The WRT54G was the original in the family. The GS adds "Speedbooster" tech, which is a way of using two 802.11g channels as if they were one (usable only with Speedbooster-ready clients). The GL was introduced after changes in the original G; the G had run on Linux in its original versions, and was very friendly to third-party firmware. Later versions ran on a different, closed platform, and the GL was introduced to satisfy people that liked hacking their routers.

As already stated, actually setting up the network is fairly plug-and-chug.

The issue of wired vs. wireless is a matter of your situation. Wireless is convenient to have (especially with laptops, or if a friend brings a laptop over), but if you never use it then it's just one more thing to worry about securing.

 

[xgsound]

What you need is a router like this one for $39.95. I set my DSL up with this one 1 month ago. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173 Put it between your existing modem and computer. Plug the 2nd computers eithernet cable into the next port (there are 4) and set up the network.

This router (similar to the Linksys routers) has wireless and 4 ports. You can disable the wireless if you don't want or need it. You will need to configure the router for your cable system.

This web site http://www.ezlan.net/ has a lot of info designed for network newcomers. If you need more assistance the Networking catagory here at AT often answers more specific questions. I got my help from there in this thread. http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...hreadid=1934875&enterthread=y&arctab=y I prefered this method (with the crossover cable) because if the internet quits, I can replug the main computer ethernet into the modem again to see which component is bad without reconfiguring anything.


Jim