what network hardware needed for home network ?

[Guest]

i want to share my dsl internet connection with 2 computers at my home. what will i need to buy to do this and how much will it cost? i am looking for around $200 if that is possible what should i go out and buy thanks

 

[yoda271828]

You will need 2 more Network Interface Cards (a total of three NICs), a Network Hub, and some CAT5 ethernet cable (do not get crossover cable). You'll a total of three cables (one from the DSL modem to the first computer, one from the first computer to the hub, and one from the second computer to the hub).

There are two basic types of NICs. There are 10baseT cards that can transfer data at 10Mbits/s (1.25 MBytes/s). And there are 10/100 cards. These cards can transfer data at 10Mbits/s or 100Mbits/s (12.5 Mbytes/s). Your DSL modem will never even reach 10Mbits/s (a T1 line is 1.5 Mbits/s, or 192 KBytes/s). So a 10baseT will work fine, but I suggest getting a 10/100 card because they're about the same price. Plus, when you transfer data between your computers you will be able to use the 100Mbits/s speed. NICs cost about $20 each.

The same basic rules apply to a network hub, except 10baseT hubs are less expenive. You can get one for about $25, compared to $50-100 for a hub that runs at 100baseTX. Mine is a 10/100 auto-sensing hub. That means that it will run at 10baseT or 100baseTX depending on the NIC that it is connected to. It is a Netgear that I bought over a year ago for about $75 at Circuit City. It's probably less now.

A lot of companies make networking kits that come with everything for $75-150, well below your limit. If you wanted to buy it online, you could get it even cheaper. Search on <A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_new">http://www.pricewatch.com</A>.

 

[Guest]

If you have already got your dsl connection, then you will only need to get something like the D-link DFE-910 networking kit. It comes with 2 10/100mbs nic cards for a pci slot, 2 20ft cat5 cables, a 5 port 10/100mbs auto-negotiating n-way hub and the software to implement it all. I picked up my kit for less than $100. It has worked great. If you are using Win98 SE, then you wont need the internet sharing software that comes with the kit, just hook up all the computers to the hub and the hub to the dsl modem. However, if using win98/95, then you have to put an extra nic into your computer with the dsl connection so you can add the interent sharing software ( it has to be a d-link nic for the sharing software to work) and set up you primary computer as a server for the others. The instruction manuals will tell you how to do it in a step-by-step fashion. You might check with your ISP to see if they will allow multiple computers to be used with their service, if so, then nothing more than connecting all computers to the hub and the hub to the modem will be necessary.

TW

 

[Guest]

does internet sharing software come with windows ME? or do i have to buy it seperately?

 

[Guest]

can u explain what a hub actually does? i just never understand that but i know i need to get one

 

[yoda271828]

A hub allows data to be transferred between all the computers connected to it. If you are accessing the internet from your second computer the data comes in from the DSL modem thru the first computer, thru the hub, and to the second comuter.

Since your only connecting two computers, it can be done without a hub, but if you ever wanted to add a third computer you will need one. I only started with two computers connected, and now I have four. I'm looking into getting another hub because I want to connect yet another computer.

As for the sharing software, WinME has it included, so you won't need to buy any software. Internet sharing is very easy setup in WinME.

 

[Guest]

ok thanks, what if the computer which will be the main one has windows ME but the other one has windows 98? then how does that work since i don't have internet sharing software on my windows 98 i dont' think since i dont' have the se i don't think. what will i need to do in that case?

 

[Guest]

The sharing is done on the ME computer. Everything else just connects into the ME machine (regardless of weather it's 98, 95, Linux, MacOS, etc.). The ME machine basically turns into a 'gateway' to the internet.

 

[Guest]

If the IP address you receive from your DSL provider is dynamic, you only need one NIC per machine. What I do is connect my DSL modem to one of the ports in my hub (using straight cat 5) and connect all my other computers (using straight cat 5 also) to the hub. I currently share a DSL connection this way with two other computers this way.

For security, each computer has a licensed copy of BlackIce and Norton or McAfee anti-virus scan.

 

[Guest]

Also... are you using an external DSL modem or an internal one? If you have an external one, you can use a hardware based DSL router (like a Linksys DSL/cable router - ~$170 USD) and connect all of your PCs to the router (it has a built in hub for up to 4 computers). If your modem is internal (a card that goes into your PC), then the Internet Connectin Sharing is the only way to go (there are other programs that can do this too, like WinGate, etc...).

 

[Guest]

i have an internal dsl modem and linksys switch. running win2k on two machines. i (so far) have been unable to get the second machine to access the internet. i have tried going through enabling ics, no luck for me. hopefully this will be resolved soon. good luck to ya!