Home networking when clueless

[Dale]

So here it is:

I'm about to set up a home network for myself and my three rommies. I only
know basic ideas about it though. So a little help if anyone can spare the
time.

The four comps are running:
XP Pro (machines # 1 and 2)
XP Home (#3)
and Mac OS 8.6 (#4)

There will be one internet connection through a cable modem. The comps are
in all different areas in the house. We want to share files, printers, and
the net connection.

A few questions:
Will there be any difficulty because of the Mac comp?

Must you have telephone service to use a HPLA?

If we connect the comps with a HPLA, will the phone lines affect the speeds
we get for the internet? I mean to say, if we pay for 5mps net service, can
the phone lines between comps support that bandwidth?

If one comp is connected to the modem, and then shares the net access with
all the others, does the first comp have to be on in order for the others to
access the net?

What's the ballpark cost we're looking at here?

Any other tips and info is so greatly appreciated.

D

 

[G]

Hi Dale, not sure I'm familiar with "HPLA" please clarify. The mac would
not be a problem, just need to install AppleTalk protocol on all the XP
network connections.

Best solution is a combo router\switch\firewall box that connects to your
cable modem. Linksys has great units for this purpose at good prices. They
even have one that adds printerserver functions - all in one box. All pcs
connect to the router. If you don't want to run cables all over, spend a
bit more and go wireless.
Speed will depend on final setup on which you decide, category of cable,
etc..
Wireless will be slower.

Good luck!
G

 

[Dale]

Hi Dale, not sure I'm familiar with "HPLA" please clarify.

God I'm dumb lol. Told you I was clueless. I meant hpNa (home phoneline
network adapter). Where you create a link to all your comps using the phone
wiring in your house.

We can't really run wires all over the house. Two comps are downstairs and
two upstairs. I would love to go wireless, but would rather find something
else less expensive.

D

 

[G]

Ok, phone line network. Well, I personally have not tried that kind of
setup so I can't tell you anything about how it might work, but as long as
it supports TCP/IP, you should be good to go. Unless the phone lines are
Cat5 or better, I suspect you will not get the kind of throughput you would
like for good surfing especially if you are sharing the connection, but if
it works, that's a start.

 

[JCH]

I've gone wireless now, but last year I used HPNA for my laptop which I used
mostly in the den. If you go HPNA 2.0 you get 10Mbs which is better than the
internet connection and shouldn't provide a throttle point. Did you say you
were getting a 5Mbs internet connection? That's pretty fast.

Your PC which shares the internet connection will have to be on for anyone
to have internet access. A better solution is to get a router and let it
share the connection. Then any PC can have internet access independently. A
different story for printing unless you get a dedicated print server.
Whatever PC a printer is connected to will have to remain on for the rest of
the network to be able to print on it.