Ad Hoc networking

Hi
Before i rush out and buy network hardware, id just like to ask a few
questions.
We have 3 computers in our home office, one which is always on and connected
to the printer. They are all networked by cables to the router. However we
also have a laptop which we have to plug in to the printer, or network
everytime we need to do printing or web surfing. I know we could just get a
wireless router, however wouldnt a cheaper wireless adapter plugged into the
desktop (that is always on) be able to communicate with the laptop
wirelessly(the laptop has wireless on it). Stuff like ICS and print sharing
would work then? I havent tried a configuration like that before but i would
prefer the cheapest option in any case. We dont plan on adding any more
laptops to the network.NB: the desktop computer that is always on runs
windows 98, and the laptop XP

Help would be appreciated

On Sun, 28 May 2006 18:34:02 -0700, Hugh Mortensen
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Hi
>Before i rush out and buy network hardware, id just like to ask a few
>questions.
>We have 3 computers in our home office, one which is always on and connected
>to the printer. They are all networked by cables to the router. However we
>also have a laptop which we have to plug in to the printer, or network
>everytime we need to do printing or web surfing. I know we could just get a
>wireless router, however wouldnt a cheaper wireless adapter plugged into the
>desktop (that is always on) be able to communicate with the laptop
>wirelessly(the laptop has wireless on it). Stuff like ICS and print sharing
>would work then? I havent tried a configuration like that before but i would
>prefer the cheapest option in any case. We dont plan on adding any more
>laptops to the network.NB: the desktop computer that is always on runs
>windows 98, and the laptop XP
>
>Help would be appreciated
>

Hugh,

You can use Ad-hoc WiFi, if you like. You can use ICS too. You may be able to
get the two working together. But with 3 computers, and a laptop, it simply is
not worth the trouble. Getting WPA working with multiple computers, in Adhoc
mode, may not be too simple either.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#Router>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/0...gn.html#Router

Don't waste your time, get a router.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

Yeah. I thought as much. Cheers
"Chuck" wrote:

> On Sun, 28 May 2006 18:34:02 -0700, Hugh Mortensen
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >Hi
> >Before i rush out and buy network hardware, id just like to ask a few
> >questions.
> >We have 3 computers in our home office, one which is always on and connected
> >to the printer. They are all networked by cables to the router. However we
> >also have a laptop which we have to plug in to the printer, or network
> >everytime we need to do printing or web surfing. I know we could just get a
> >wireless router, however wouldnt a cheaper wireless adapter plugged into the
> >desktop (that is always on) be able to communicate with the laptop
> >wirelessly(the laptop has wireless on it). Stuff like ICS and print sharing
> >would work then? I havent tried a configuration like that before but i would
> >prefer the cheapest option in any case. We dont plan on adding any more
> >laptops to the network.NB: the desktop computer that is always on runs
> >windows 98, and the laptop XP
> >
> >Help would be appreciated
> >
>
> Hugh,
>
> You can use Ad-hoc WiFi, if you like. You can use ICS too. You may be able to
> get the two working together. But with 3 computers, and a laptop, it simply is
> not worth the trouble. Getting WPA working with multiple computers, in Adhoc
> mode, may not be too simple either.
> <http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#Router>
> http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/0...gn.html#Router
>
> Don't waste your time, get a router.
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
> http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
> Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
> My email is AT DOT
> actual address pchuck mvps org.
>

As far as cost goes you can often find routers or even router plus wireless
adapter bundles for about the same price as a wireless adapter alone.(eg.
Linksys wireless G router @$44.Can.or Dlink wireless G router + USB adapter
@ $79.Can). With discounts applied I've seen router-adapter bundles
retailing for as little as $10.00.

"Chuck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Sun, 28 May 2006 18:34:02 -0700, Hugh Mortensen
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>Hi
>>Before i rush out and buy network hardware, id just like to ask a few
>>questions.
>>We have 3 computers in our home office, one which is always on and
>>connected
>>to the printer. They are all networked by cables to the router. However we
>>also have a laptop which we have to plug in to the printer, or network
>>everytime we need to do printing or web surfing. I know we could just get
>>a
>>wireless router, however wouldnt a cheaper wireless adapter plugged into
>>the
>>desktop (that is always on) be able to communicate with the laptop
>>wirelessly(the laptop has wireless on it). Stuff like ICS and print
>>sharing
>>would work then? I havent tried a configuration like that before but i
>>would
>>prefer the cheapest option in any case. We dont plan on adding any more
>>laptops to the network.NB: the desktop computer that is always on runs
>>windows 98, and the laptop XP
>>
>>Help would be appreciated
>>
>
> Hugh,
>
> You can use Ad-hoc WiFi, if you like. You can use ICS too. You may be
> able to
> get the two working together. But with 3 computers, and a laptop, it
> simply is
> not worth the trouble. Getting WPA working with multiple computers, in
> Adhoc
> mode, may not be too simple either.
> <http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#Router>
> http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/0...gn.html#Router
>
> Don't waste your time, get a router.
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
> http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
> Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
> My email is AT DOT
> actual address pchuck mvps org.