My new computer is scheduled to arrive sometime next week. My son will inherit the old one and our daughter will then get his one. At present we have my son's computer connected wirelessly to the internet. I would like to connect all three computers but I could really use some help. Setting up the network in the first place was far from straightforward and I don't want to be offline any longer than necessary.
Can anyone help?
Help with wireless network
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Bob Jefferson
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Help with wireless network
Last edited by Bob Jefferson on 30 May 2005, 22:42, edited 1 time in total.
Yeah sure, although I'm not an expert.
From what you've said (techies, feel free to boot me off the pedestal or point out a better solution) you have an existing connection to the web which is wireless? You'll need to describe this to us - what kind of wireless "kit" are you operating? Did you buy it yourself or was it just what came from (Blueyonder?)
You also mention an existing network. How is this configured - is it also wireless? Do you already have more than one PC able to access the internet?
Worst case scenario is that you have only one PC on the internet, that it has a wireless card and that that wireless card connects to a bit of wireless kit supplied to you by Blueyonder (linksys? belkin?). If this is the case, then to the best of my knowledge you can't just magically turn this setup into a wireless network as Blueyonder have hamstrung their kit to work for just one PC. (happy to be wrong about this one, other techs!)
If this is the case and you want all of your computers to be wireless, then you are probably going to have to buy a new bit of wireless kit called a WAP (wireless access point), a standard network card for the PC which is connected to the net already, plus a wireless card for each other computer you want to connect to your new home network.
I'm also assuming that you want minimal disruption and that this means making the new computer share the old connection. Although this will work, would it not make more sense to use your newest and best computer to do the work of running your network? You're going to disrupt things anyway by the work you're about to do, so imho you may as well pull out everything and resuscitate your network to be tip top - which to my mind would mean the "workhorse" pc (the one which is essentially running 2 networks) is the most powerful, and newest (so least likely to break anytime soon)
Like I said, happy to be over-ruled by anyone with more experience!
My network at home is pretty much identical to what you want. My main server has two network cards - one for a Blueyonder cable modem, and one for a home network. The home network consists of a wired hub with a WAP plugged into it, although I'm sure you can buy something which does the job of both. Other computers in the house connect to the web via this hub(the wired ones) or the WAP(the wireless ones). In total we've got 4 pcs on the go at Dada towers.
I'm also assuming that all of the computers on your new network are running windows XP, which has a half-decent network setup wizard and a utility on the server called ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). If not, then prepare to get thy hands dirty as we discuss proxy servers and subnets !!!
Once everything is set up, it's not just the benefit of a shared internet connection you'll have - you will also be able to share files and printers over the network, and play multi-user games.
Don't worry about being off the web for too long. It needs a wee bit of patience at the start, but once the wee green lights start flashing you'll be well happy with your new setup, and will be able to bluff your way in conversations about networks in polite conversation!
From what you've said (techies, feel free to boot me off the pedestal or point out a better solution) you have an existing connection to the web which is wireless? You'll need to describe this to us - what kind of wireless "kit" are you operating? Did you buy it yourself or was it just what came from (Blueyonder?)
You also mention an existing network. How is this configured - is it also wireless? Do you already have more than one PC able to access the internet?
Worst case scenario is that you have only one PC on the internet, that it has a wireless card and that that wireless card connects to a bit of wireless kit supplied to you by Blueyonder (linksys? belkin?). If this is the case, then to the best of my knowledge you can't just magically turn this setup into a wireless network as Blueyonder have hamstrung their kit to work for just one PC. (happy to be wrong about this one, other techs!)
If this is the case and you want all of your computers to be wireless, then you are probably going to have to buy a new bit of wireless kit called a WAP (wireless access point), a standard network card for the PC which is connected to the net already, plus a wireless card for each other computer you want to connect to your new home network.
I'm also assuming that you want minimal disruption and that this means making the new computer share the old connection. Although this will work, would it not make more sense to use your newest and best computer to do the work of running your network? You're going to disrupt things anyway by the work you're about to do, so imho you may as well pull out everything and resuscitate your network to be tip top - which to my mind would mean the "workhorse" pc (the one which is essentially running 2 networks) is the most powerful, and newest (so least likely to break anytime soon)
Like I said, happy to be over-ruled by anyone with more experience!
My network at home is pretty much identical to what you want. My main server has two network cards - one for a Blueyonder cable modem, and one for a home network. The home network consists of a wired hub with a WAP plugged into it, although I'm sure you can buy something which does the job of both. Other computers in the house connect to the web via this hub(the wired ones) or the WAP(the wireless ones). In total we've got 4 pcs on the go at Dada towers.
I'm also assuming that all of the computers on your new network are running windows XP, which has a half-decent network setup wizard and a utility on the server called ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). If not, then prepare to get thy hands dirty as we discuss proxy servers and subnets !!!
Once everything is set up, it's not just the benefit of a shared internet connection you'll have - you will also be able to share files and printers over the network, and play multi-user games.
Don't worry about being off the web for too long. It needs a wee bit of patience at the start, but once the wee green lights start flashing you'll be well happy with your new setup, and will be able to bluff your way in conversations about networks in polite conversation!
I'd suggest getting a wireless router (netgear is the one I have), sticking that between the modem and all other computers. It'll give you a good firewall and the setup is pretty much point and click. Its been so long since I installed I can't quite remember the details, it certainly wasn't traumatic and I've had no problems since.
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Bob Jefferson
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I'm using the following bits of kit which I bought myself:
Linksys WRT54G
Wireless-G PCI adaptor
So I already have internet access to 2 machines, my son having the wireless connection. Theoretically, I also have a network although I haven't been successful in setting up file or printer sharing.
When the new computer arrives (Friday) we will have 2 machines running XP and the oldest one running Windows ME.
Although the router is meant to be really easy to set up and configure I had a bad experience with it and spent a lot of time on the 'help' line, being patronised by American teenagers until a nice Indian lady sorted it all out.
If either of you could spare some time next weekend to help get it all working I would be eternally in your debt, and I might buy you a pint. As you suggest Dada, I would want to use the newest machine as the server so I guess I need another PCI adaptor to complete my set-up.
Linksys WRT54G
Wireless-G PCI adaptor
So I already have internet access to 2 machines, my son having the wireless connection. Theoretically, I also have a network although I haven't been successful in setting up file or printer sharing.
When the new computer arrives (Friday) we will have 2 machines running XP and the oldest one running Windows ME.
Although the router is meant to be really easy to set up and configure I had a bad experience with it and spent a lot of time on the 'help' line, being patronised by American teenagers until a nice Indian lady sorted it all out.
If either of you could spare some time next weekend to help get it all working I would be eternally in your debt, and I might buy you a pint. As you suggest Dada, I would want to use the newest machine as the server so I guess I need another PCI adaptor to complete my set-up.
Wowsers! Talk about green flashing lights!
Looks like you already have the kit you need in that the WRT54G will handle a whole bunch of functions for you that I have cobbled together with different things.
xxxx will have to help you as I am in Manchester all next weekend on a stag do.
xxxx - I take it this box does the equivalent of ICS on an XP box, and hands out everyone their IPs with DHCP? What a lovely box.
Bob - you will probably have some setup to do, but the great thing is that your router is already on the web, so there isn't actually a machine which has to be a "server" - you can think of the router as a powerful computer in its own right. *If* it's set up right, all you need is a wireless card in your new computer and it should just join in the party.
Very nice box, sorry the setup was a pain, I want one of dem things.
Looks like you already have the kit you need in that the WRT54G will handle a whole bunch of functions for you that I have cobbled together with different things.
xxxx will have to help you as I am in Manchester all next weekend on a stag do.
xxxx - I take it this box does the equivalent of ICS on an XP box, and hands out everyone their IPs with DHCP? What a lovely box.
Bob - you will probably have some setup to do, but the great thing is that your router is already on the web, so there isn't actually a machine which has to be a "server" - you can think of the router as a powerful computer in its own right. *If* it's set up right, all you need is a wireless card in your new computer and it should just join in the party.
Very nice box, sorry the setup was a pain, I want one of dem things.
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Pal of Porty
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Pal of Porty
- Posts: 2136
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