Posted: 11/24/2005 8:17:31 AM EDT
|
Well, this year the girls "big" joint Christmas present is a computer asthe girls are using this one more and more for school & internet research along with neopets & stuff like that. What is the best/easiest way to connect 2 computers to the same cable modem without messing things up. They will be located less than 5 feet from each other so a hard wired setup is fine. They will have internet access, but no e-mail access & I'd like to find some kind of program that will allow me to see what they are doing from "our" computer without them knowing. Yes I'm a snoop, but will not use it on a daily basis, just if something happens to raise the red flag. |
|
EVERYONE who is on broadband needs a hardware router. Period. Routers can be found on sale for as little as $1 after rebate, to as high as $200 for big name wireless ones. I think I spent $15 on mine. You hook the cable modem up to the router, then you hook each computer with via ethernet cable to the router and it will all magically work. It's really that simple. If you want to snoop, read the instruction manual - you'll need to use your browser to log on to your router and then you can review log files, change settings, etc. Here's one I found real quick - Newegg is reputable as is Netgear. $30 |
For consumer models. It's like asking how much a car costs. I'd answer as little as a few hundred to 50K or so. Yes, this is noninclusive of lambourghinis. |
Let's try a compromise that's probably more correct than either one alone. Maybe that needs to become an ARFCOM tradition. For home units, $40 or $50 and then tack on all the rebates. D-Link has good stuff and Ciircuit City or Worst Buys carries them. |
Not much for an individual item but D-Link seems to offer more variety over the entire selection of routers, switches, PCI cards, laptop cards, printer hubs, etc. I prefer D-link S/W too. It's a little easier to get up and running. That said though, they both offer good quality stuff and neither have a bad reputation. ETA: My experience - Internet was a snap. Had some initial problems getting all four home PCs running with the printer though due to a mix of WIN98 and WIN XP plus a mix of desktops and laptops  .D-Link has outstanding customer service. Walked me through on the phone and got them all talking to the printer. ETA2: My next hurdle is to install a dedicated network hard-drive so I can keep each individual PC's hard-drive off-line and not "shared". |
|
I would go with the Linksys. They are the easiest to setup. Linksys is now owned by CISCO and their routers are top notch. Look on ebay and you should be able to get on real cheap. The Linksys setup is web based and very easy to go through. It's also easy to update the router down the road with new firmware to keep it current. Linksys also has great support. For a little more money you may want to get a wireless Linksys router. That way down the road if you want to get a laptop or something you already have the wireless. The wireless routers are usually only about $20 more. Also look at all the holiday sales from the big box stores. Sometimes they may have good deals this time of year. Have a good Thanksgiving! |
+1 Good friendly compotent toll free tech help. If you are spending the $ for a router you may want to get a wireless... not much more money and much more flexable... especially if the computers are in other rooms of the house, or you get a lap top.... |
|
Netgear FS605 10/100MBPS FAST Ethernet Switch - $16.99 after rebate. Switch You don't need wireless, since the two computers are right next to each other. 95% of the time, you don't even need to set up a switch. You'll hook the cable modem to the switch, the two computers to the switch and it will start working. Switches are also faster than routers generally. |
|
A router is better than a switch because it provides a hardware firewall. Once you have a high speed (cable/dsl) you are always connected so you need one. A wired set up is better because it is less expensive, more secure than wireless, and generally cleaner faster connection. It shouldn't take you more than 15 mins to hook up a wired internet connection. edit: Here is a basic overview of the pros and cons of wired vs wireless networks. |
|
With a router, the ISP will see only the router, and assign the router an IP number. In this sense the router acts as a firewall. The router then assigns each computer an IP number as a little network. A switch just sends the packets around. Your ISP will see both computers, and assign each its own IP address. The switch is just passing packets back and forth. With either a switch or a router, you just leave the cable modem (or DSL modem as the case may be) hooked up to the incoming line as it is now. Then run an ethernet cable from the output of the modem to any of the ports on the back of a switch. If a router, there is a specific port you plug into. Then you run separate ethernet cables from the other ports to your two computers. You can get routers and switches very cheap these days. I like the D-Link stuff, haven't had any problems with it. Lots of rebates available. I think you will be better off with a router. If these are the only two computers, don't get a wireless router. If you have laptops you want to use in other rooms, or even a desktop in a bedroom, you might consider a wireless router. (Edited to make links below hot) Here is a nice, inexpensive switch: www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=351586&sku=D700-1005 (note: D-Link DOES actually pay rebates, unlike the memory companies that promise but don't) Here is a nice, inexpensive router: www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=328846&CatId=198 Here is a nice, inexpensive wireless router. Note, wireless routers also have ports for ethernet cables, so you can hardwire your computers, and still have wireless capability for other computers: www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=706705&Sku=D700-2284 You will also need one of these in each computer (your computers may have these already): www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=534927&CatId=200 This wireless router will do everything the regular router above, and at much less cost. If you are hooking up desktop computers wirelessly (one in another room) you will need one of these: www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=783131&CatId=368 |
A_Free_Man, thanks much for the info and explanation Now to go spend some time looking at the links you provided. We do have a older (2000 ME) Dell laptop but it was having internet connection problems (dial up) before we got cable & have not even turned it on in over a year. Might need to take it to a computer shop & have it fixed one of these days. Might possibly get a wireless router just encase the laptop gets fixed or we decide to move the computers around. |
Any decent model should be able to do that - I have a LinkSYS, and it's no problem. If you're think of just getting a switch, check with your cable company about it. With the switch, the cable company will have to provide an IP address for each computer you hook up. Many Cable and DSL companies will only provide an IP to one computer at a time, or will charge extra for extra IPs. A router lets all your computers share one IP address, and provides built-in firewall functionality that protects you from hackers and provides some control over what traffic is allowed through. As for watching them, there's all sorts of tricks that can be used both ways, but the best thing to do might be to put the computer in a place where you can see it easily, instead of tucked away in their room. |
|
I carry a wireless router around with me for various work locations. I take the antenna off when the wireless feature is not needed. I can still connect with it wirelessly from a few feet away, but it is not going very far, possibly being picked up by someone off location. So, I suggest the wireless router, since you have the laptop. You may need to buy a PCMCIA card for it, unless it has built in wireless. You already have an ethernet card in your desktop (as you have been using it with your cable modem). Your new computer may or may not come with an ethernet card. ETA: Laptops seem to switch back and forth from easily from wireless to ethernet cards. Some older desktops may not. I has problems with this on a 98SE desktop machine when I put in a wireless card. What I did to fix it was go into Device Manager and clicked to "disable" the ethernet card. Then the wireless card worked just fine. If I had to go back to the ethernet card for some reason, it was necessary to go back into Device Manager and "disable" the wireless card and enable the ethernet card. You get to Device Manager by right clicking on My Computer and choosing Properties. |
|
oops, forgot about the NAT routing and the firewall. Forget the wireless router, unless you actually want to use wireless. Why would you buy something and then turn off it's most important feature? Here is what I got at my house Netgear FVS114 Firewall with 4 port switch. www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833122081 This switch will assign your computers an internal IP address, meaning you will only need to get one from your Internet Service Provider, it won't see the two computers, just the switch. This switch provides a firewall, meaning it will protect you from attacks from the internet, very safe. Easy to use, and easy to configure, it's great for someone who wants to control what their kids are looking at. You can block websites with keywords (i.e. any website with porn in the name) you can block services (such as instant messengers) and you can do it using a schedule, so you can block services or even the whole internet on a time schedule, so you wouldn't have to worry about your kids getting on the internet at 2am while you were sleeping. It will also log all internet traffic. It will give you a list of website address that the switch has gone through in a easy to read list. If I had a kid, I would be certain to warn them that I could and will look at all the places they have gone to on the net from time to time. Should keep them pretty honest. |
|
Forget the wireless router, unless you actually want to use wireless. Why would you buy something and then turn off it's most important feature? For future use with his laptop. Plus, the Wireless Router I gave him the link for was nearly half the price of the comparable Router, and did everything the Router did, plus wireless. As I sit here I am using a wireless router, but am plugged into the ports on back. If I have to go work in the offices on each side, I unplug and am still connected to the net. "NETGEAR FVS114NA 10/100Mbps VPN Firewall 8 with 4-port Switch LAN ports: Four (4) 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing, Auto Uplink™, RJ-45 ports -WAN port: 10/100BASE-T Ethernet RJ-45 port to connect to any broadband modem, such as DSL or cable" It says WITH 4-port switch. It may say Firewall with switch, but what it actually is is a Router, not a switch. If it assigns IP's to the computers, it is a Router, not a switch. |
Its the one I have, and works peachy. I have 2 computers hooked to the same monitor/mouse/keyboard through a KDM switch, and they are networked through the -604. Its really nice if you want to hook up a PS2 or X-Box, just get some Cat5 and slap her in there. |
Yes. I do exactly that with my Linksys. Right now the wireless portion is completely disabled. and verified  I upgraded to cable access in July and wanted a router for the added firewall protection. Moving up to a router with wireless capability cost very little extra above a plain router and when I finally have a laptop I'll turn the wireless feature on when I want to take the laptop outside. 
|
While opinions abound about how to network computers on a AR15 dedicated web site .....I think the info posted by A_Free_Man is the most thorough and best advice on the matter. But, remember that most ISP's will charge you for a second 'connection' if you use a switch over a router as they need more IP addresses, the router is the way to go. I'd still get the wireless as it about the same $ and much more capable. As for security and your wireless router... You may be able to disable the wireless functions witht he setup software, or remove the antenna to shorten its effective range, but why? When youyou turn on the WEP (its encryption for your network) to protect from your neighbors or drive by hackers it makes it -really- difficult for anybody without your encryption key to hack in. Just pick a really good encryption key and you should be ok. |
Sure think I'm going to go with the D-Link Wireless Router and I think the new computer already has a ethernet card so for the time being will just run it hard wired & when/if the laptop ever get's fixed all we will need is something like this PCMCIA Wireless Adapter to have a wireless system for the laptop. However, if we end up putting the girls computer upstairs beside the TV Ill just grab one of These ittle doo dads and should be ready to go Figgure if we stay with all D-link products there should be less chanch of problems when it comes time to do the wireless thing. |
|
You can get one of these "starter kits" which have the same wireless router you were going to get anyway, and for $5 more get a .11g card: www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1022156&CatId=370 Not quite the "extreme G" 108 card you were going to pay $35 for, but for only an addition $5 you have a .11g 54 card. Not a bad deal. |
What is the difference between the cards???????????????????? |
|
One card is 54 mbps, the other 108 mbps theoretically. Doubtful your cable modem will go that speed. Those faster cards are mostly used by gamers playing peer-to-peer (directly to each other). the card with router kit ("Starter Kit") will do well enough for you. That card is the same speed as the router, so having the faster 108 card is not going to do anything for you. So, instead of just the wireless router for $19.99, you can get the Starter Kit with same router and a card for $25. |
Thanks!!!!!!!!!! |
We paid $4K for our last Cisco router at the office. Go get your self a Cisco Wireless-G Broadband Router. I paid like $60. My work computer is hard wired to it but my wife's PC connects via wireless and when my step daughter comes to visit she does her college work with her HP Laptop and built-in wireless card. Even though I am at the high end of the IT spectrum, I needed little of my expertise to hookup a home wireless network. You might want to lock down your system by using the MAC address of the devices that are going to access the network. |
|
Just curious, what is this doo hicky I take it is part of a wireless system??? And what is a MAC addres & how would one go about locking it down??? |
|
That little doohicky is a USB adapter. It does the same thing as a PCMCIA wireless card, but instead of plugging into a cardslot on your laptop it plugs into a USB port. In general they don't have the range of a PCMCIA card due to the smaller internal antenna. Each wireless adapter, router, etc, has its own "MAC address". It is an identifier, like a serial number, to the network of who is who. What he means by locking down your MAC addresses is setting your router to only allow access by the specific MAC addresses of your computers (or rather, your computers adapters), and not any others. In other words, if they are not on the guest list, they don't get into the party. How to do this will be explained in your router's manual. |
|
Is This Cable the one used to connect the router to the computer???? Figgure I might as well order everything at the same time since I'm such a computer dummie 
|
|
Yeah, that's fine. Get them as long as you want. Just ask for ethernet cables at the store. I like to get diffent colors so as not to confuse my cables with others. And colored cables are less of a tripping hazard. The cable you have pictured has just the naked RJ45 plugs. I like to get the ones with the molded rubber booties. They protect the little clip on the plug and give some strain relief. You can get them with molded ends, such as by Belken and others. (Don't worry about "crossover" cables--you don't need them) All of these will do as well: www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=714017&CatId=755  www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=370276&CatId=755  www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=495557&CatId=755  Since your two computers will be on the same table/desk, you need two cables 5'-7' long to go from the router to the two desktop computers. You will also need a short cable (2'-3') to go from your cable modem to your router, assuming you are putting these two devices side by side. |
The more the wife and I talk about it & since tiger direct has the Wireless Adapter for $9.99 after rebates we are almost 100% sure the girls puter is going to go upstairs while the cable modem & other computer will be downstairs. Just need a couple long cables to locate the wireless router someplace that will reach the other end of the house upstairs. It's not really all that far, but there are several walls and the floor between where the cable modem sits & where the girls puter will go. |
|
I'm also going to order 2 Crucial 512MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz Memory cards from Tiger Direct for the Dell Dimension 8400 since it only has 512 now & I've now gotten a couple out of memory messages. Went to Crucials web site & the above memory was recomended by them after runing the auto detection program & since tiger direct has it cheaper than Crucial and we will also save on shipping I figgure why not Now to break it to the spousal unit exactly how much I'll be spending & we have yet to purchase the 2nd desktop   Not to mention I've also got a EoTech & ARMS 40LSP on order for the SEBR I'm dead meat 
|
|
Not really adding anything new, but a number of +1s A +1 on the router. Netgear, Linksys, and D-Link make fine routers. The other brands work well, however if/when you need help, it's easier to find help on the popular brands. +1 on wireless only if you want wireless. With wireless running, you're broadcasting to your neighborhood. Yes, there's security measures that keep the average person out. But the ATF invented wireless because then they can watch us and save money on dog-shooting-ammo. The router adds a measure of security, and I'd recommend another layer of a software firewall on each PC. Sure, we can get all geeky on our networks with dedicated servers, Linux firewalls, maybe a domain, but the router is simple and requires little hassle. |
|
You need to get a router. almost any one will do but the leading models are Linksys, D-Link and perhaps Belkin. Buffalo, Netgear and SMC are fine as well. If you have a laptop or are considering one you might want to get a router that has wireless capability. We are right on the point of a major change in wireless networking so you may want to wait. However, any router that has 802.11 54G is OK, although MIMO ( or Pre-N), is better. 802.11N is the new standard that has just been finalized. Some manufacturers went and developed models before the stadard was ratified (the "Pre-N"/MIMO models). You'll get better range with the MIMO/PreN ones but also pay higher price. You should be able to get a router for between $10 and $40 depending on the brand and whether it's wireless or not. Pre-N will be in the $70-$90. I'm partial to Linksys although the Belkin Pre-N is a great router. Re: the monitoring, you can get a router that has a monitoring feature built in-usually on a subscripion basis. Also there's a program, called Cyber Sitter that may do what you want. Here's a review site and you should also check PC Magazines's site as well http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/?ttreng=1&ttrkey=parental+control |
|
Ahhh, good question! I do this, too. There are some steps to go through, you have to enable Sharing on the printer, and if you want to share files (you can limit this to just one folder), you can do that, too. I can drag a file to the Fileshare folder on my laptop in one room, and drag it out of the same folder on the other computer. Ditto, all of the computers are set up to print through to the same printer. Of course, the computer that the printer is connected to must be on. Why do you need cables to go to the upstairs for your girl's new computer? If you are going to put it there, just get a wireless adapter for it now and be done with it. I assume you will leave the cable modem and router by your present computer. That computer should connect to the router via an ethernet cable. Otherwise, as you are trying to configure your router you will not be able to do so as your wireless will not connect while you are trying to configure everything. So, that main computer needs to be hardwired. Instead of an ethernet adapter for the new computer order this wireless adapter: www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=783131&Sku=D700-5106 |
You can share the printer. On the computer that is connected to the printer, click on "start", and then "printers and faxes". Right click on the printer and you should see a sharing option, click on that and turn sharing on. After sharing is on, you should be able to go to the other computers, and click on "add printer" and then choose the "a network printer, or a printer connected to another computer" option. Windows should be able to see the printer and there you go. |
|
Go through your router manual, it has info on networking your printer and file sharing. Follow the instructions about naming your computers and naming your network. In the manual I sent you, page 39. Each computer needs its own name, and the same workgroup name. Once you have those steps done > On the computer hooked to your main printer, Start > Printers & Faxes Right Click on the printer icon, and click the Sharing Check Share this Printer. On each of your other computers hooked to your home network, Start > Printers & Faxes on the left click Add A Printer check "A Network Printer, or a printer attached to another computer." click Next check "Browse for a printer" and chose the printer in the list that appears... finish the wizard. It's really cool to hear your wife from the other room, "Honey, your printing is done!" |