cheapest way to wireless network 2 PCs ?

Am I correct to think I can network my main PC which is connected to
Broadband with my other PC which is in my upstairs bedroom by purchasing 2
wireless PCI Cards (same manufacturer)?
Or do I also need a router?
All I want to do is share my broad band connection and swap files between
the 2 PCs.

Thanks

Yes, it's called "ad hoc" wireless mode. It doesn't require a router,
but it does require the broadband-connected machine to be turned on if
the upstairs machine wants to use the internet. A better approach
(and just as cheap) is to connect a wireless router to your broadband
connection and plug your downstairs machine into it with an ethernet
cable. A wireless PCI card in your upstairs machine will allow you to
access the internet any time, regardless of the state of the
downstairs machine. Either approach presumes you can "talk" between
the upstairs and downstairs locations wirelessly.

"Dougys" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<biiq17$efp$(E-Mail Removed)>...
> Am I correct to think I can network my main PC which is connected to
> Broadband with my other PC which is in my upstairs bedroom by purchasing 2
> wireless PCI Cards (same manufacturer)?
> Or do I also need a router?
> All I want to do is share my broad band connection and swap files between
> the 2 PCs.
>
> Thanks

Do you need a router?

I would say in most cases yes - you should have a access point router. But
in some not.

To decide, you need to ask -
1) do you have a hardware firewall on your broadband?
2) is either system a desktop system?

If you don't have a hardware firewall and one or both systems is/are a
desktop, you would be best to buy a access point for one and a card for the
other. This way, the router doubles up as a firewall which will reduce your
changes of a Microsoft OS virus that is running rampant. I like hardware
firewalls more than software ones as they 1) are about the same price and 2)
don't require OS futzing and 3) are generally OS and OS version independent.
That is, if you buy a BSD/Mac, Linux or XBOX it works. I generally
recommend a 4 port version of D-Link or Linksys as an access point in router
mode.

About the only case where it makes sense to use adhoc/two card only with no
access point is if you only want to just talk to each other or your
sophisticated enough to get into network routing and dual host interfaces.
Usually, only for the very skilled or Linux/UNIX hobbiest...maybe.

I have been off of Linksys cards lately, but only because I can't seem to
get Linux/BSD/UNIX 54g drivers for it which would not concern most people.
The D-Link AG650 has some partially functional Linux drivers.

Dave

"Dougys" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:biiq17$efp$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Am I correct to think I can network my main PC which is connected to
> Broadband with my other PC which is in my upstairs bedroom by purchasing 2
> wireless PCI Cards (same manufacturer)?
> Or do I also need a router?
> All I want to do is share my broad band connection and swap files between
> the 2 PCs.
>
> Thanks
>
>

This solution also has the advantagae of not being subject to the flakiness
of Microcrap software (if you use it)



"Uncle Ken" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) m...
> Yes, it's called "ad hoc" wireless mode. It doesn't require a router,
> but it does require the broadband-connected machine to be turned on if
> the upstairs machine wants to use the internet. A better approach
> (and just as cheap) is to connect a wireless router to your broadband
> connection and plug your downstairs machine into it with an ethernet
> cable. A wireless PCI card in your upstairs machine will allow you to
> access the internet any time, regardless of the state of the
> downstairs machine. Either approach presumes you can "talk" between
> the upstairs and downstairs locations wirelessly.
>
> "Dougys" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:<biiq17$efp$(E-Mail Removed)>...
> > Am I correct to think I can network my main PC which is connected to
> > Broadband with my other PC which is in my upstairs bedroom by purchasing
2
> > wireless PCI Cards (same manufacturer)?
> > Or do I also need a router?
> > All I want to do is share my broad band connection and swap files
between
> > the 2 PCs.
> >
> > Thanks
>