Questions about Home Networking and Sharing an Internet Connection

[neomits]

Ok. I'm a newbie at this and have searched for info within the forum and kinda have an idea of what I need.

Here is what I have and want.

I'm going to be getting Cable soon and it will run into a computer on the first floor running Windows 2k. I want to be able to share that internet connection with a computer thats on the second floor that is running Windows XP. I would like to do this the cheapest and easiest way possible. From what I've found This guide seems to be what I need. Am I correct in assuming this?

If so would the easiest way to connect these two computers be through a wireless ethernet card? The upstairs computer already has an ethernet card from school in it but its not wireless. What would be a good type/brand of card to look for if I went wireless? Is wireless the right way to go and will it work across a house and one floor?

 

[dave5317]

Obviously, wireless ethernet is easier for your case. But are you thinking to get a wireless access point and have 2 clients connected to it or a wireless router? If you are getting a wireless access point, the only one that I would recommend is the Xircom wireless ethernet starter kit http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/xirswe1120strkit.htm. The access point is very easy to configure with high throughput performance and strong receptions. However, if you are getting a wireless router, try to avoid getting SMC's because that product is not very good at transmitting signals across the walls. So, you will end up with no connectivity.

 

[Synoptic]

If you want to do this as cheap as possible, just buy 2 more nics and install them in the W2K machine. Run one to your modem, the other to your XP box (you will need a Crossover cable to run between the computers). Now you can use the tutorial and set up ICS and you will be good to go. With the wireless I don't think you can have 2 cards directly connected together like with a regular nic, but I could be wrong. Also with the wireless your bandwidth will be reduced.

 

[JackMDS]

I am all for Inxpensive, but there is unreasonable cheap too. If you shop carefully you can find a Cable/DSL Router for less then $50.

This will be the cheapest $50 you ever spent, run a wire (Cat5) to the second floor, and enjoy.

Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

Or as Spidey07 would say, get into the to the 21st century dude..

 

[neomits]

ok what if my cable providers is offering to setup a home network for 50 bucks (for the router) and then 9.95 per month per extra computer (it'll just be one computer and for 2-3 months) should I just do that?

 

[JackMDS]

Some companies offer self installation kit, others come and set one computer as part as the deal.

Most Cable/DSL providers have a policy under which that don?t mind Router?s sharing, as long as they don?t have to support it.

If the contract does not prohibit it, people can buy a Router and add few computers on their own.

If your cable company does not do more then what is described above, you get a raw deal.

Since you can find a Router for $50, and save the $9.95 a month.