Wireless networking with internal DSL

I am looking to network 2 computers in my home (both running Windows XP) via
a wireless setup, so that they can share my DSL service. The computer with
the DSL uses an internal modem. Is this possible? I've been told that it
is only possible with an external DSL modem. If it can be done, what
hardware will I need to accomplish it? Neither computer has a network card
installed at the moment, and I'm looking to go with a Linksys setup. Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

D. Miller

There are several different paths you can follow... I would price out each. The best path
to follow also depends on your future upgrades, and on the convienience you wish to have.

In general, the path of least resistance is:
External DSL modem -> Wireless firewall router -> by wire to computer number 1
-> by air to computer number 2

You could also use the first PC as the firewall router in which case your network would be:
Internal PC modem -> Software firewall -> PC #1 -> Wireless Network Bridge -> PC#2
You would need to turn on internet connection sharing in win98se, and always have pc#1
on for pc#2 to use the internet. Your cost includes firewall software (it is real dangerous to
run a home network without a firewall), and some of the equipment you buy could have
a limited lifetime if you choose to add another computer to your network at a later time.

Ideally the DSL modem and firewall router would be combined, but at present I don't know
of any such devices... but product offerings in this area change weekly.. and prices seem to
fall about 20% per month. On all these products you will likely find that older obsolete
equipment is still in the stores with prices twice that of the newer stuff.




"Derrick Miller" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:Bfyjb.217$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I am looking to network 2 computers in my home (both running Windows XP) via
> a wireless setup, so that they can share my DSL service. The computer with
> the DSL uses an internal modem. Is this possible? I've been told that it
> is only possible with an external DSL modem. If it can be done, what
> hardware will I need to accomplish it? Neither computer has a network card
> installed at the moment, and I'm looking to go with a Linksys setup. Any
> help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
>
> D. Miller
>
>

In article <Bfyjb.217$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Derrick Miller"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I am looking to network 2 computers in my home (both running Windows XP) via
>a wireless setup, so that they can share my DSL service. The computer with
>the DSL uses an internal modem. Is this possible? I've been told that it
>is only possible with an external DSL modem. If it can be done, what
>hardware will I need to accomplish it? Neither computer has a network card
>installed at the moment, and I'm looking to go with a Linksys setup. Any
>help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
>
>D. Miller

Yes, it's possible with an Internal DSL modem.

The simplest way would be to add a wireless network adapter to the
computer with the DSL modem, enable Internet Connection Sharing on the
DSL connection, and set up an Ad-Hoc wireless network between the two
computers.

Another possibility is to add an Ethernet adapter to the computer with
the DSL modem, enable Internet Connection Sharing on the DSL
connection, and use a crossover cable to connect a wireless access
point to the Ethernet adapter. The access point would create an
Infrastructure network to link to the other computer.

You can use a wireless router as a wireless access point by disabling
its DHCP server and connecting both computers to the LAN ports.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm