I need some advice on simple networking - here is my dilema.

I want to run two PC's on one broadband connection, as cheaply as possible so figure a wired network is the way.

I figure I require a router, network cable and 2x network cards for each PC?

Can anyone advise if this is right and what components / online store I should buy / visit?

TIA
JR

 

Hi,

If you don't plan on using wi-fi you're dead right, although personally I would get a wi-fi router with 4-port hub and firewall - best of both worlds then. I've got a Linksys BEFW11S4 and it works great, here is my setup:

Motorola Cable Modem ------> [ Linksys Wi-Fi/Hub/Firewall ]---wired---> Desktop

Laptop + iPAQ have wifi connections to the Linksys.

You won't go wrong with anything like Linksys, Belkin, Netgear etc - just make sure you get one with a firewall and a DHCP server built in. Oh, if you get wifi make sure you make it secure

Hope that helps,
Matt

 

Easier is to buy a combined modem/4-port router as that way each comp only requires one NIC: setting up two network cards on a PC is usually a pig of a job. Plug the router into the BB, then plug each comp into the router/modem with cat5 ethernet cables. The added cost of the modem router is the same as the money you save by not buying two more NICs.


M

 

Cheers chaps. Have you got any links to the hardware I need (in particular the combined modem/ 4 -port router).

I'm setting this up for my wifes' friend and dont want to ***** it up!!

 

Wired or wireless?


M

 

I can recommend the US Robotics 9105 if its wired you want but if you cant find this then look for one that has a built in firewall. For a 2, 3, 4 or even 10 PC network DHCP is not that important. Without DHCP you will have to give each PC its own IP address on the same subnet and tell them that the gateway is the internal IP address of the modem or router and you should be up and running in no time.

But like Matt says, go with a brand name so you can be assured of support if you need it.

 

The Netgear DG834 has a built-in ADSL modem, built in firewall and a four port switch so you can connect 4 PCs to it. I use one at work and its great - just plug it in and forget about it. Costs about £55 from CCL Computers

 

I used to use that Negear as well. Now they've sorted the firmware out it's completely reliable.


M

 

IMO as said above. As a tip I would probably have the pc that is nearest the router "wired", (so get a network card for that one ) the reason being, it is easier to initially configure your router, especially if you intand to use wireless for any other pc's.
Also easier to fault find (within the router config) if wireless goes down.
In other words a "backdoor" or alternative way to get in.
Wireless can play up from time to time but once you have tweaked the router, should be pretty solid.
Buy a standard network card for one pc, wireless for any others.
Wireless card wise, only buy a min spec of 54Mb speed cards, 100 Mb if your money will stretch.
The router network speeds are usually around the 100Mb mark anyway.

Have a look here http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/

here http://www.adslguide.org.uk/qanda.asp

and here http://www.dslreports.com

oh and here's the linksys home page http://www.linksys.com/default.asp