Networking 2 comps

[MxDawg4223]

I was interested in networking 2 computers together, both running XP pro, basically just for internet and file sharing, printer sharing. I have decided to do it wirelessly. What parts will I need? So far I am planning to get 2 wireless PCI cards from linksys. But my main question is what is an acess point and what is a router? will i need both or just one to network my comps the way i want (internet, file and printer sharing). thanks for any help.

[MxDawg4223]

could i just buy a linksys access point and then connect my cable modem to the 1 LAN port in the back? or do i need a router to connect the cable modem to?

[yellohut]

linksys makes access points with built in routers. what you would do is plug the cable modem into the WAN port, and then plug a computer into one of the LAN ports on it. then you only need one wireless adaptor.

of course if you do have the two adaptors already then you could set them in ad-hoc mode to talk to each other and enable internet connection sharing, but the computer hooked to hte modem would have to be turned on for the other to get online.

[MxDawg4223]

ok if i do what u say can i access the internet on the computer with the adapter if the main computer is not on? and also is there a way i can have it completely wireless and not have to have the main comp on for the other to use internet.

[bigpuma]

Originally posted by MxDawg4223 ok if i do what u say can i access the internet on the computer with the adapter if the main computer is not on? and also is there a way i can have it completely wireless and not have to have the main comp on for the other to use internet.

yes you can connect with either computer without the main being on. The router acts as a mini computer keeping the connection and IP address at all times and assigning local IPs to the other computers connected to it, wireless or wired.

You can have both computers hooked up via wireless adapters although it might help to initially set it up with a wired connection. I am not sure since I have never actually done this.

[MxDawg4223]

ok so i dont need an access point? just a router and two adapters?

[bigpuma]

Originally posted by MxDawg4223 ok so i dont need an access point? just a router and two adapters?

A wireless router is also an access point so you don't need another one. You are correct about just needing a wireless router and 2 adapters although you might need a wired NIC to do an initial set-up. I am not sure if you can set up the router wirelessly but I am not familiar with this set-up.

[MxDawg4223]

ok thats all the info i needed thanks a bunch

[glc]

If feasible, I highly recommend running one of the computers wired. This should be no big deal if the cable modem is anywhere near one of the computers.

[MxDawg4223]

what is the advantage of wiring one of them up? just to save money or what?

[bailey]

the cost of a wireless nic is a lot more than a wired nic, but then you will see that when you start priceing the parts.

[Karnevil9]

There are less problems with a wired system as I have found out. While I like having a wireless system, there are times when the signal strength is low and you can't connect to the net. Also the wired network is more secure. Anyone with a wrieless adapter within your vicinity can use your signal, and you have to enable encryption so folks can't intercept your personnal info.

[glc]

If the wireless craps out, without a wired connection you have no way to get into the router setup to fix things. I have a customer with 2 laptops only, running wireless off a D-Link router - and when the wireless dumps (I said *when* - because it WILL happen) they have to connect one of them up directly to the router wired anyway to check things out.

[MxDawg4223]

ok if i have one wired up it will make it easier i get it. thanks for the help.