Sharing a broadband connectiona

[sammydee]

Hi people.

I am fed up with the dialup we have, it is ridiculously slow and nobody can phone while I am on the internet. I can afford broadband without trouble, but unfortunately I have to try and connect two computers in opposite ends of the house to the internet simultaneously, and they aren't networked. I thought about two modems but apparently this is impossible. Wi-fi I think has not got the range, and the computers aren't networked so how can I do it? How hard is it to network two pcs?
Any ideas?

Thanks!
Sam

[lynx]

If your house is so big that wireless networking won't work, then you can certainly afford to have the place professionally wired. :shifty:

Seriously, the range is usually well in excess of 200 feet (60 metres) as long as there aren't too many walls or electrically noisy pieces of equipment in the way.

Also, remember that once set up a wireless router doesn't need to be close to any of your computers, so if you can find a central spot that would probably be ideal.

[Smith]

Get a wired system going, its muich better if you play games ;)

[sammydee]

Well I read that its range was limited to about two walls. We live in a single storey bungalow so the distance on the ground floor is bigger than usual. What kind of limits does wifi have then?

[dudevenezuela]

I have 1DSL modem with 2 computers connected one USB and the other LAN

[Afronaut]

I would just get a switch.

And lotsa cable.

[muchspl3]

a router is the way to go, I have 4 computers hooked up and they all share the same modem

[Virtualbody1234]

I also think that a router is the best way to go.

You could even setup the modem and router at a central location of your house then run cables to each PC or go wireless. At least that way both computers end up closer for better signal.

[kazaa2002]

Hi people.

I am fed up with the dialup we have, it is ridiculously slow and nobody can phone while I am on the internet. I can afford broadband without trouble, but unfortunately I have to try and connect two computers in opposite ends of the house to the internet simultaneously, and they aren't networked. I thought about two modems but apparently this is impossible. Wi-fi I think has not got the range, and the computers aren't networked so how can I do it? How hard is it to network two pcs?
Any ideas?

Thanks!
Sam
Hi Sam, you will have to make some decisions
internet from dsl, satelite or cable...in my area cable is far superior
also many modems can be rented or owned

cat5 cables are used as house wiring....wireless has some limitations
I have both...cables can transport more data faster

also your pc's need to be able to hook up...you may need to but
add on cards or adapters

no one can give you easy answers...just help you in your search
here are some sites that hopefully will answer some of the issues
that do occur in installing a local area network at home
Networking Basics < Computer Basics < tutorialfind (http://www.tutorialfind.com/tutorials/computerbasics/basics/)
Home Networking Basics (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?guideID=1043363120887&categoryRep=cat01000&type=page&cmp=&id=cat12077)
Router Basics (http://www.pcmech.com/show/network/768/3/)
Xbox.com :: Homenetworking Connection (http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/live/start/connect/homenetwork.htm)
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter & Website - Home Networking Basics (http://www.terryscomputertips.com/computers/home_net_basics6.php)
WebJunction (http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=935)
ComputorEdge - National Computer Magazine info and retailers for computers, PCs, laptops, hardware, peripherals (http://webserver.computoredge.com/editorial/prg/online.mv?zone=NA&issue=2323&article=basics)
BroadbandRouter_Basics.pdf (application/pdf Object) (http://www.bendcable.com/BroadbandRouter_Basics.pdf)
Beginners Guides: Wireless home networking - PCStats.com (http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1428)
Routers - Wired and Wireless Network Router Hardware (http://compnetworking.about.com/od/routers/)
Howstuffworks "How Home Networking Works" (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network8.htm)
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworkhardware/
Howstuffworks "How Home Networking Works" (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network6.htm)
Linksys Cable/DSL Router Help - Basics (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/linksys_router_help.htm)
Router Basics (http://www.pcmech.com/show/network/768/)
DIY home networking guides and tutorials (http://www.homenethelp.com/)
ADSLguide: The UK's largest independent ADSL review site - Your guide to UK broadband Internet. (http://www.adslguide.org/)

[peat moss]

I just used a cheap hub , I spent more on the cables ! With xp pro it took two minutes to set them up. Hard part was drilling the fff holes in the wall .


@kazaa2002 , Nice job . That should be worth 10 posts . ;)

[sammydee]

Wow thanks kazaa I will look at all those links.

Incidently, what is a router?

Sam

[sammydee]

Actually dont worry ive found out.

[GepperRankins]

at pc world you can get a four port hub. 2 x 2 metre cables, and two 10/100Mb pci cards for about £15


get that and get a long cat-5 cable from somewhere else. (i've heard pcworld are a rip-off for them)




if both PCs have onboard networking or cards already in you can just buy a cable and turn it into a crossover cable.

[Mr. Mulder]

get that and get a long cat-5 cable from somewhere else. (i've heard pcworld are a rip-off for them)

they are, it's cheaper to make your own, just don't buy crimps from them :fist:

[lynx]

Even if you are going for a wired system you will still need a router, so there's no need to make cross-over cables.

The best solution in a bungalow is probably to run the cable in the roof space. That way you only need two small holes in the ceiling.

Here are some suitable cables here (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=8362519928&action=UFNQcm9kdWN0U2VhcmNoUmVzdWx0cw==&subcat_uid=1204&order=ASC&order_col=sell_price&show=stock) depending on the length you need.

If you want to make your own cables (for smaller, neater holes) here's what you need:
Here's a cheap crimp tool (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=8362303312&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=54896)
RJ45 Connectors (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=8362664161&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=33527)
Simply get a made-up cable of the right length and cut off one of the existing connectors. Then feed the cable, and attach a new connector with the internal wires in the same positions as the original.

[GepperRankins]

you don't need a router at all.

in my my house we use internet connection sharing in windows.

[sammydee]

Thanks or the tip Lynx.

Gepper - yeah but you need the computer with the connection to be on all the time. Also, my dad needs to plug in his laptop so a router is the best option.

[sammydee]

Ok I got two realtek network cards and they were recognised ok by windows. I also got them running on their own IRQs cos I heard otherwise it could cause problems. I have ordered a netgear rp614 router, which is in the post. I need to buy a suitable ADSL modem though... any particular favourites?

Thanks,
Sam

[lynx]

If it isn't too late, cancel the order on the Netgear router and get a combined ADSL modem-router. It will cost about the same as the router on it's own.

I've had a look on ebuyer, all their modems with ethernet interface seem to have a built-in router.

Here's a list (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=8422658995&action=UFNQcm9kdWN0U2VhcmNoUmVzdWx0cw==&subcat_uid=1146&order=ASC&order_col=sell_price&show=stock) of what they've got, you just need to make sure that you get one with multiple ports. I haven't tried any of those personally so I can't give recommendations.

I think you should also look at some of the wireless modem/router options too. For very little extra you give yourself the option of going wireless but still having the ports necessary for wired connection.

[sammydee]

Argh damn, too late. Oh well it was only a tenner for the router and £15 for the modem so I'm sure I didn't waste too much. Just gotta hope it all works. Thanks for the help guys,

Sam

[sammydee]

Hey there.

Right, I've got my router hooked up to myPC, and the modem hooked into that. The pc has recognised that it is connected to the network. How do I make it find the modem?

Thanks, Sam.

[sammydee]

I'm running windows XP by the way.

[lynx]

What modem did you get?

[sammydee]

I got a "Creative Broadband Blaster" modem. :)

I managed to connect to it from the pc now though so don't worry. I just need those splitters in the post and then I can sign up to broadband at last YAY!

Is there any sort of test I can do in the meantime to make sure I'm in range of the switchboard?

Thanks again.

[lynx]

If the adsl is activated you can just plug it in and start using it.

The splitters (filters) are for the phone side of things not the adsl, they stop the adsl signal causing hisses and pops on the phone.

If the adsl signal is activated you may get some funny effects on your phone (and things like fax and analogue modem) but you will get those whether or not you connect your adsl modem.

Edit: just realised you said you haven't even signed up yet. That's an unusual way of going about it, most people sign up and get the free modem, but it usually means they are stuck with the ISP for 12 months.

If you've got a BT line I recommend freedom2surf. (http://www.freedom2surf.net/) They don't supply hardware, and you have to pay for connection, but after that it is by far the fastest/cheapest service around.

[sammydee]

Yes exactly, I was thinking of signing up to freedom2surf, and they don't provide you with a modem. That's why I bought it. So I need to talk to them first right? So they can enable my line or something?

Sam