Completely new to Networking

[Binh]

I think I have everything down, I just need someone to double check my work before I buy everything. I'm going to tell you what I plan to do, and you guys just fix anything you see wrong.

I am going to get a dsl connection, and I want to share the connection between two computers, one wired and one wireless. All I need is the modem, wireless router (Netgear WGT624) and a pc wireless adapter (Netgear Wireless Desktop Adapter WG311TNA).

When I order the service, it will come through the phone jack. Then I just hook the phone jack to the dsl modem. Then hook the modem to the router. Then hook the router to one computer. Then I just put the wireless adapter in the other computer. Then I just set up the connection on the both computers and I'm all set.

Sound Good?

[Ghost(BOO!)]

you also have to go into the router settings on the internet with the wired pc and set up the wireless connection and set up the encryption which will be detailed with the manual for the wireless card and router manual

[Panama Red]

Check with your dsl provider. They may offer/include a modem/wireless router combo. If so, you won't need to purchase one. If they charge extra for the router feature, just ask for the modem only and set it up the way you've described. Either way, you'll need to purchase a wireless adapter for the other pc.

[Redo40]

If the provider doesn't offer the modem/wireless router combo, you will need to know if the modem has a built-in wired router. If it does, you will need to set it as Bridge in order to use it with another router or you could leave it as is and use a switch instead.

[Binh]

"AT&T Wireless Gateway." Is this the wireless router/modem thng you guys were talking about?

Under Details it says:
$79.99 before $49.99 mail-in rebate! New AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Business Edition customers only with a one-year term commitment. (Taxes and a $12.95 shipping and handling fee apply.) A Wireless high-speed Internet gateway with a built-in ADSL modem* An Installation software CD and Installation Guide with step-by-step instructions. One filter pack containing: four in-line microfilters and one wall-mount filter (to be used only on jacks that will share the line with AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Business Edition). One CAT 5 Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to the AT&T Wireless Gateway and one data cable to connect the AT&T Wireless Gateway to the high-speed Internet jack. Security for every PC connected on your office network with a business-grade firewall. Toll-free customer support number you can call with questions. Note: The AT&T Wireless Gateway does not support HPNA technology. Note: If you choose to connect additional computers to the AT&T Wireless Gateway via USB or wirelessly, you will need to purchase USB cables and/or wireless adapters separately.

This will let me connect one computer wired and the other wirelessly right? What kind of range/signal does this get? The computers are only twenty feet apart, but it's through two walls. What about the pc adapter? Should I just stick with the Netgear one I mentioned above? What's the HPNA thing?

[glc]

Yup, that's the one you want. Connect it to one computer with CAT5 and put a wireless adapter in the other computer and you are good to go. That modem/router is made by 2Wire and is pretty decent - and if you have issues, AT&T will support it. HPNA is networking through your phone line instead of with CAT5 or wireless - not necessary. 20 feet through 2 walls should be a piece of cake. I don't care fror Netgear, but if you already have the adapter, it should work okay.

[Binh]

Is the wireless going to be 802.11b or g?

[rjfvillarosa]

That "2Wire" was the last dsl modem I had and it was a nice piece of kit with no setup required, if you can avoid using the setup CD, just plug it all in and away you go, you may have to go into internet options and set up a new connection but I doubt it.
In respect of the wireless connection, on the bottom of the modem you will see two numbers:
SN:************(12 numbers) and then a bar code below it, then below the bar code,**********(10 numbers in brackets)

On the machine you want to connect wirelessly.
Go to Control Panel>Network Connections and right click your wireless icon, check to make sure your wireless connection is active/enabled.
In your tool tray you should see a small icon, right click this icon and then click "View Available Wireless Networks" in the Available Networks window you should see 2Wire***(*** being the last three numbers of the SN: number).
Highlight the 2wire connection and click and in the "Network key" text box type the ten numbers from below the bar code without the brackets, these ten numbers are the built in password for wireless use of your 2Wire gateway.

If you find that you cannot connect your first hardwired compter to the internet because some setup information is required from the setup CD, you can allways uninstall the software at a later date, this software is not very obtrusive but it is certainly not required. I never used it but I had a few friends who needed it for the first connection only and then discarded it.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by Binh Is the wireless going to be 802.11b or g?

It is compatible with both.