On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 22:31:35 GMT, "James"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Apologies for this... its pretty basic questions but I cant get any
>satisfaction on the NTL web site.
>
>Just wondered if anyone could give me some tips on setting up a simple home
>network for use with NTL cable supply. I have the cable coming into an
>upstairs bedroom, and my girlfriend (who has her PC downstairs) wants to
>access my broadband. Neither of us have network cards fitted but both have
>ethernet connections on the PC's.
>
>I'm thinking that wireless is the way to go as her PC is downstairs and
>would be complex to run a cable to. And now for the stupid questions:
Well complex is relative, a piece of wire, a drill/bit, a
couple wall plates, a wire fish and some patience and you'd
be good to go, most often, unless you don't own the
residence.
Wireless will work though, certainly viable for the 'net
sharing.
>
>Do I need a wireless card myself?
"Need", no.
You could do it that way though, you have a few options.
The best option being one where you don't need the card.
> - the broadband modem sits on top of my
>PC.. can I just 'slave' the broadband through my PC somehow so she gets a
>supply?
Yes if both systems had wireless cards (or USB wireless
adapters, etc) but that is the worst way to do it.
The better alternative is to get a wireless router.
Ironically they're often cheaper than the cards themselves,
there was one not too long ago for $10 after rebate, surely
another deal coming along soon enough. Get the modem
disconnected from your PC and hook it up to the router.
Then run a cable from router to your PC, and have it
wirelessly connect to GF's system, in which a wireless card
is installed. This option is more secure, less of a load on
your system, more reliable, doesn't depend on your system
running for the other to work, allows further expansion if
ever needed, and having the extra ethernet ports on the
router are nice for a NAS or something else, too.
>
>How do I set the network up so I have priority for connection? Or is this
>even necessary?
No, not necessary unless she's really into peer-to-peer
filesharing or wants to host a website off of your
connection, in which case her upload traffic will be a
problem for you. Normally no, this isn't typically a
problem and if you did what i described above, her system
will automatically be at a slight handicap because of the
latency of wireless(ness).
>
>Will she be able to access files and folders on my machine?!
Do you want her to?
If you set up file sharing or another method of it, yes.
Otherwise, no, for all practical purposes unless she was
trying to hack you, LOL.
Wireless is no different than wired in this regard, decide
what you do and don't want and see some networking tutorials
online, Google will turn up plenty of 'em.
>
>What is a good price for a wireless router?I was going to get the NTL
>recommended stuff (
>http://www.retailonline.ltd.uk/Store...D=&Product=290 )but want
>to pay as little as possible.
Good price is free after rebate.
Fair price is $10-30 after rebate.
Full price is $50.
>Also , would the NTL starter pack have enough
>bits in it?
Yes but it looks a bit overpriced and ideally her system
would use a PCI wireless network card with an
antenna-on-a-cable. Avoid USB types of (anything, actually)
when there is a faster and more mature/stable/etc
alternative.
>I'm thinking that the wireless network adapter would go on my
>girlfriends system, but what about mine?
Most wireless routers have muliple, maybe 4 or 5 wired ports
too. You'd network your system with it's built-in ethernet
to the wired port on the router. This is better for your
system too, compared to what you're doing currently.
>
>Any advice / tips would be most welcome
Avoid belkin... Linksys, Netgear, and D-Link have better
offerings. Get 802.11g, sometimes marketed more generically
as some phrase with "G" in it, rather than 802.11b, router
and network card.
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