Posted: 12/10/2009 5:38:48 PM EDT
| So I tend to be a fairly computer literate person (build/maintain all of my desktops, etc) but for some reason, networking just isn't my thing - even just the simple stuff like hardware choice, etc. We're on a wired connection at the house (Comcast Cable) which enters the house at one point into our office. The problem is, I'd like to get an internet connection into the living room (for an XBOX 360) but it's really difficult to run a cable from the office. I'm looking into going wireless for the house, as I've also got my own personal desktop (not the shared house computer) which I currently keep in the office and I switch the ethernet cable back and forth between computers as needed. Obviously that's a hassle, and a little ridiculous if you ask me. So my proposed solution is to have a new cable jack put in downstairs in my room and host everything from there. My personal desktop would be moved downstairs to the jack and wired, the XBOX 360 in question would be too (because from my room I think it'd be very easy to run a cable up through an air vent to exactly where I want it, whereas from the office it's next to impossible), and the shared computer would switch to PCI-slot wireless goodness. My question is, how do I set this up from a hardware perspective? We've got our little single port modem right now that jacks into the office wall cable. Would I keep that thing and move it to the hypothetical new jack or do I replace it entirely with a wireless router? Do I hook the router into the modem and then my (wired) desktop and the CAT5 cable for the XBOX into open ports on the wireless router? How plug-and-play friendly is this process going to be? Obviously the XBOX isn't going to be finicky, but is this all fairly easy to set up? Much appreciated, gents. If you need any clarification/MSPaint/possum or slow-elk?/whatever I'll be happy to provide. |
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Get a Linksys or Netgear.
The Modem connects to the "WAN" or "Internet" port on the router. Wireless routers have 4 or so numbered ports for hard wiring. Plug your Xbox and Desktop into those. Everything else will work off the wireless. Shut everything off, hook it up and turn everything on, starting with the modem. Let it boot then plug in the router. After that boots hook up you xbox and PC. You might need to redo the xbox to pc setup if you stream music or video from your PC or use WMC on your xbox. You should be good to go as far as connections. Now setting up the computers on the network and how you want to use it depends on your OS but it's easy to figure out. ETA: What hoffman said too |