Sharing broadband connection between 2 pcs

[TheBtrain]

Hi all,

I've done a bit of searching, but have not yet come across anything definitive...

I want to wirelessly share a broadband connection between 2 pcs - one is a room away from where then phone line is and the other is in the home office which is about 20 or so metres away.

My initial question is what hardware is required - I'm completely new to this kind of thing having never done any networking before.

From what I can gather, I need a wireless router and then a wireless PCI adaptor for each PC. Is this correct?

These are the items that I'm looking at...

Router and PCI card

Will these be suitable for my needs and is there any other hardware that will be required?

Just so I can get my head around things - the router plugs into the phone line and is permanently 'connected'. The PCI cards receive the adsl signal from the router and also communicate with each other? Is this a fair way to describe what's happening?

Another thing I'm concerned about is interference which I've seen references to. I've got a wireless keyboard/mouse and also use a cordless phone with 2 handsets. Has anybody had any problems with this?

Thanks in advance for any help - much appreciated. As I mentioned, I did a fair bit of searching before posting, but couldn't come across anything that could answer all my queries...

[Panama Red]

You're selected hardware are fine but your description of the connection is slightly flawed. DSL (or adsl) is provided by connecting your phone line to a DSL modem. The modem is them connected via ethernet cable to the router. If you desire to connect both pc's wirelessly, you still need to consider connecting one with an ethernet cable initially (to the router) in order to properly set up the router. I don't think you'll have any trouble with the mouse and keyboard but 2.4GHz phones can be a real pain when using wireless. You should check your phones and consider replacing any 2.4GHz units.

Your dsl installation kit will also come with line filters for each phone. These will prevent static or cross talk in your phone lines.

Check the sticky threads in our Security area on how to Secure a Network for help in setting up a secure router.

[glc]

You also have combo DSL modem/routers available in Oz. If your present DSL modem is Ethernet capable, all you need is a router like you linked to. If it's USB-only, then you need a combo.

[TheBtrain]

OK - that's great. Thanks for those replies.

My current ADSL modem is ethernet capable, so I need to connect that via ethernet to the router, then connect the router via ethernet (in the initial stages) to the closest PC.

I think that all makes sense, just a couple more questions...

As far as installing the PCI cards into the PCs, they just fit into an available slot on the mobo and the antenna is out the rear of the PC?

Is there anything I need to know about setting up a network or will the router or its software automatically recognise the additional PC?

Thanks again!

[Strider]

In my opinion I would leave the one PC that is hooked up to the ethernet for you will get better results speed wise versus a wireless setup - I'm not saying that wireless speed isn't sufficient but why have a Taurus when you can have a Mustang (Sorry Hal, I don't know cars very well).

[glc]

You will set up the router with your DSL login/password - and the router will issue IP addresses to all connected computers. That part is almost a no-brainer. The wireless section does have to be configured with a SSID (network name) and some encryption - this is also very easy. Sharing files and printers is also a reasonably simple setup.

[TheBtrain]

Thanks for all the assistance - I've got it all sorted now and it's working a treat!