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02-14-2003, 11:11 AM
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#1 |
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Red Sox Nation
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 2,546
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Finalizing Network
OK, I'm just about to embark on my first 'network installation'. I'm going to network the three PCs in my house so we can play games. I'm getting a Linksys 8-port switch, lots of Cat5 cable, and a 10/100 NIC for the machine that doesn't have onboard Ethernet. Did I miss anything? Also, my main question is: how do I set this up in Windows so I can play games? All three systems are running XP Home. Thanks!
Edit: is the Generic Cat5 cable at NewEgg any good? How are Linksys NICs? Can I use 50ft Cat5 patch cabling? Thanks! Last edited by Alienware_Dude; 02-14-2003 at 11:31 AM. |
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02-14-2003, 12:41 PM
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#2 |
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Member (14 bit)
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada
Posts: 9,138
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Run the networking wizard on one XP box, make the diskette, and then run the diskette on the other two boxes. Done.
If you want to share any files/folders, install File and Printer sharing, and then right click on each machine, each file/folder you want to share. Generic CAT5 is good up to about 25'. I have run longer, but it's not recommended. Linksys NIC's are the best. A 50 foot run would be ok for casual use, internet, but maybe not for gaming, where the distance may cause higher pings...I know some people that have run well over 100' for internet sharing with no apparent slowdowns. |
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02-14-2003, 01:46 PM
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#3 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Mt Washington, KY
Posts: 4,927
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Personally I would subsitute a router for the switch.
Chas
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I may not be much, but I'm all I think about. |
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02-14-2003, 02:04 PM
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#4 |
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Red Sox Nation
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 2,546
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Hmm, where should I get the cable? Also, I knew someone would suggest a router, but I really don't need one, nor will I in the near future. Also, when I get the network up and running, how do I game on it? Can I just use the 'LAN' multiplayer option? Thanks for your help!
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02-14-2003, 02:48 PM
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#5 |
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Fly Eagles Fly
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 981
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If you ever get broadband, a router will serve you better. Also, I run a pretty generic 100' ethernet cable in my house right now with no prob's
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02-14-2003, 03:56 PM
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#6 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 3,261
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Home improvement stores frequently have good deals on rolls of cat5 cable.
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02-14-2003, 04:22 PM
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#7 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Mt Washington, KY
Posts: 4,927
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If you have a Radio Shack, CompUSA, Home Depot, Lowe's, computer store or electronics supply you should be able to find one. Or you could order from newegg. Also www.blackbox.com is a good source of cabling and networking equipment.
Chas |
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02-14-2003, 05:33 PM
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#8 |
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Aerospace
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MN, USA
Posts: 1,177
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I get all my cables at Home Depot.
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FastFly |
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02-14-2003, 05:52 PM
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#9 |
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Red Sox Nation
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 2,546
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The Generic cable I was planning on is from NewEgg. Do you think that will be all right? Again, how do I set up a game on my LAN? Thanks!
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02-15-2003, 02:00 PM
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#10 |
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Red Sox Nation
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 2,546
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Anyone?
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02-15-2003, 02:30 PM
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#11 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Massachusetts-Spirit of America
Posts: 893
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Router with switch ports is the practical way rather than a switch alone. Not unless you got so many workgroups in your LAN.
Besides, wired Routers cost went down substantially nowadays |
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02-15-2003, 02:36 PM
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#12 |
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snowboarder
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 2,462
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i have a LAN set up with the sole purpose for gaming, with shared internet a sort of bonus..
Its easier most of the time for me to set up the IPs etc myself, saves me the hassle of doing it later when the automiatic IPs etc mess themsleves up. Install IPX.
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Antec Sonata - Abit IS7-E - P4 2.4/800 @ 3.0 - 1GB OCZ Gold DDR500 - FX5950 Ultra 256MB - Audigy 2 - WD JB 80GB - XP Pro |
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02-15-2003, 02:37 PM
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#13 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Mt Washington, KY
Posts: 4,927
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Cable from Newegg is fine. 24G is 24G. Not sure about games as I've never set any up.
Chas |
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02-16-2003, 03:19 AM
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#14 |
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snowboarder
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 2,462
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i dont quite know what you mean 'set up' a LAN game.
if they are a networkable game they will have a network option in the main menu. everyone chooses all of their stuff for in game, one person hosts a game, then you all enter the hosted game |
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02-16-2003, 12:57 PM
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#15 |
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Red Sox Nation
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 2,546
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OK, that's all I wanted to know. Thanks a lot!
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02-18-2003, 10:09 PM
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#16 |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hell, Indiana
Posts: 44
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My sys is all Linksys...nics, wireless endpoint, and router...started with 4 port linksys switch first then 2went over to router becasue of the bb
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02-18-2003, 10:10 PM
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#17 |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hell, Indiana
Posts: 44
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also...I fix other systems and bring them in and just pop them on the wire and they connect right away....real sweet
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