Extending home LAN - retain current "backbone" or discard?

[Dazed]

At the moment we have a small network . . .an XP Home host (including
ICS out through a cable modem to the internet) and an ME client
connected by a crossover cable. At some point soon, I expect that
we'll be adding one or more laptops. We'll also want them incorporated
into the network, but that wireless is our most sensible connection.

As I see it, I've got two options:

1) Discard the current cable-based LAN and the three NIC cards, get a
wireless router, and "wireless cards" for the existing PCs, or
2) Retain the current LAN, add a "wireless card" (I'm sure there's
better terminology, my apologies) to the XP host, and extend the ICS
coverage to the new laptop(s).

I suspect that option "2)" is stupid, and that the cost of a brand-new
wireless network is worth it. Is my suspicion correct?

Thanks -

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

At the moment we have a small network . . .an XP Home host (including
ICS out through a cable modem to the internet) and an ME client
connected by a crossover cable. At some point soon, I expect that
we'll be adding one or more laptops. We'll also want them incorporated
into the network, but that wireless is our most sensible connection.

As I see it, I've got two options:

1) Discard the current cable-based LAN and the three NIC cards, get a
wireless router, and "wireless cards" for the existing PCs, or
2) Retain the current LAN, add a "wireless card" (I'm sure there's
better terminology, my apologies) to the XP host, and extend the ICS
coverage to the new laptop(s).

I suspect that option "2)" is stupid, and that the cost of a brand-new
wireless network is worth it. Is my suspicion correct?

Thanks -

A wireless router can share the cable modem connection between
multiple computers, using both wired and wireless connections. With
a router, you won't need to use ICS. Here's what I suggest:

1. Get a wireless router.

2. Disable ICS on the XP Home host.

3. Connect the cable modem to the router's WAN (Internet) port.

4. Connect the XP Home and ME computers to the router's LAN ports
using regular (not crossover) Ethernet cables.

You'll only need to add a wireless card if you have a laptop computer
that doesn't have wireless networking built in. Almost all current
laptop models have wireless networking built in.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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