Basic Wireless networking

[Berethorn]

Unfortunately I am a complete newbie to wireless netoworking.

If I wanted to connect one computer to another PC or notebook for file and internet sharing, using the 802.11b wireless standard, exactly what hardware would I need, and how would it be to set up? What could I expect the cost to be?

[ktkendall]

Assuming you have broadband internet already, you would just need a router for broadband internet sharing, like the Linksys BEFW11S4, which I just bought at BestBuy for 59.99 with 10 dollar mail in rebate. Then U just need wireless NIC card for each pc, and I think they go in the 30 to 50 dollar range. If you do indeed already have broadband internet though and have a NIC card in the one PC then even with the router I mentioned you will easily be able to connect the router to the cable or dsl modem and leave the PC as a wired network connection to one of the 4 wired switch ports on the router and just make the other PC wireless, so you'll just need the router and 1 wireless NIC card which should be less than 100 dollars. If your using dial up, your really going to want to look into upgrading to broadband...It is worth it is you use the internet on a daily basis..

[Berethorn]

I do have broadband internet. I only need to use the internet on the secondary computer (in this case a notebook) when the main computer is turned on. If I used Internet Connection Sharing could I not forget the router and just put a wireless network card in both computers?

[ktkendall]

Yes you could do that, which as you seem to understand will just involve buying a wireless NIC for the laptop and the PC and then yes you will just set up the wireless NICs and enable ICS on the PC and adjust the correct settings on the laptop or I believe ICS will let you make a disk that you will just run on the laptop that will adjust the settings so the laptop has the correct default gateway and IP settings so it will be able tio get out on the internet. I still highly suggest buying the router and just one wireless card for the laptop. I've seen them bundled for 99.99 for the linksys wireless g router and the laptop pcmcia card and I beleive there are still rebates involved. I think you'll pay almost as much for 2 wireless cards. In the long run you will be happier with the router setup, cause it works better and has built in firewall in the router for security, and you get future expansion capabilities already builtin, as it has 4 port switch, so as I mentioned you will with no extra wiring hassles or anything be able to leave the PC wired and you will probably eventualy appreciate not always having to have the PC on for the laptop to get on the net..But what you are proposing will work to

[Berethorn]

Ok, great! I now have a clearer understanding of it, and I'll probably end up getting the router and NIC card. Thanks!