networking question

[tigstah]

i have a cable modem thats connected to a wireless router (linksys) on the first floor.
on the second floor, i have 2 pcs. 1 in each room both pc's running win xp pro.
1st pc has a wireless adapter (linksys) and a nic built in the mobo.
2nd pc has a wired nic installed.
i also have a wired router (linksys) in same room as the wireless pc.
what i would like to know is, is there anyway to connect the second pc (wired) to the router (wired) to get internet access.
the rooms are right next to each other, so i could run the cat 5 around the baseboards.
my son and i would like to play games like tiger woods against each other ip to ip....any help would be appreciated.

[Panama Red]

It sounds to me like you really need a switch upstairs instead of the second router. Although, I've seen glc give instructions before on how to use two routers together where the second is configured as a switch. I'll see if I can find it.

[grcr99]

Here are some ideas:

What are the model numbers of the two routers? Is the wireless router an access point and a switch (all in one) and if so why not just connect it upstairs? Do you only have one cable connection coming into the house on the first floor, if so, put another one upstairs where the computers are, I am assuming you have broad band using cable. If you do have another cable connection upstairs then use the wired router for both computers. It looks like both computers have nics and one also has a wireless nic. Same idea if you are using DSL, put another connection upstairs with the computers. The router should be with the host computer anyway, not in another part of the house.

[glc]

If you install a wireless nic in the second computer, you can do this without connecting or wiring anything. You will then have a single network in the whole house. That's the simplest way.

[tigstah]

the cable comes into the house on the first floor. which is where the cable modem and wireless router is located.
I'd like to go the cheapest route. at some point in the future i will get the house wired up. but since verizon is upgrading the neighborhood to fiber i'd rather wait until that project is completed to see what options i have.
is the switch an option, if so i'll grab one today. if not then another wireless adapter is what i'll get.

thanks for all the help

[Panama Red]

There's a slight speed difference between a wired and wireless connection with the wired being faster. Also, wired is more reliable. If you're doing this primarily for gaming with your son, go with the switch (unless you want a built in advantage!). Either the wireless NIC or a 4 - 5 port switch will run about the same amount of cash.

[glc]

Don't go with a switch - trying to use the upstairs computer as a bridge can be troublesome. Get the wireless adapter.

[Panama Red]

I'm confused g. If the upstairs is wired already, why not replace the wired router with a switch?

[glc]

No, there's a wireless router downstairs connected to his cable modem. One computer upstairs is connected to it wireless - and he wants to get another computer that's upstairs connected - it's presently standalone. That's how I read it. He just happens to have a spare wired router and wants to use that as a wired bridge between the 2 upstairs PC's. It's possible, but a configuration nightmare. He would have to configure ICS on the wireless upstairs PC, hope his wireless router does not use the 192.168.0.x subnet, then he would have to convert the wired router into a dumb switch and make sure it IS in the 192.168.0.x subnet (but *NOT* .1).

[Panama Red]

Ah, ok. I took it to mean the upstairs was already wired. My apology, tigstah. Didn't mean to give ya a bum steer.