Don J said:
I get the message. Go wireless!
But what does that mean? Can I use a single wireless card plugged into
each PC? Or do I need a pair of wireless routers? How does each machine
have access to the internet? I'm not sure how it would all work.
Don J
OK, at this point, you need to provide more information about the internet
connection you have and how it gets to you, and the characteristics of the
premises.
You mention that this is a hotel-like building. How does the internet
service make the transition from the provider to your room? How far
apart are the rooms, and what is the physical structure of the building
like?
Normally, in an hotel context, an internet provider will essentially provide
one wire to the building, and then the building management will attach a
router to that, and run cables to each room. Or, they will provide
wireless service and you'll have login information.
And equally normally, in apartments or offices, internet providers usually
provide one wire to each apartment or office, and the tenants individually
deal with the service in their own space.
I will assume that at the moment, your systems are connected by a wire to
the existing internet connection, and that the service comes to your room.
To set up wireless, a simple thing is to get a wireless router - you only
need one - and a wireless network card for the system in the other room.
Plug the existing cable into the WAN or Internet port on the router, and
plug your PC into any of the switch ports. Follow the directions that come
with the router to configure it; this is usually very easy. You now have a
working router, working internet connection, and wireless capablity. And,
you have one PC connected by wire to the router. That's very important, as
wireless changes have to be made via wired connection.
Next, follow the directions to turn the wireless on. Be *sure* to change
the SSID - the name of the wireless network - right away, and set up an
encryption type. This will keep unauthorized people off your router. Copy
the encryption key, which may be 26 characters. It's not a bad idea to
save this to a text file, and put it on a USB key to copy it to the other
system.
Now, set up the wireless card on the soon-to-be-remote system. Do this
before you move it, so that there is no question of range being an issue.
It'll save a lot of walking, too.
Install the card, and drivers according to the directions. Set up the
wireless client to see your SSID (just search for networks) and give it the
encryption key from your router.
That's about it. Turn on file sharing, specify the folders, and you're
done. Move the machine to its destination.
The caveats from here arise from the structure of the building and the
distance between the router and the remote system. Wireless doesn't always
do well through large amounts of concrete and metal, so you need to know
about the building. Walking around with a laptop that you've set up to
connect to your wireless network can be an easy way to figure out what the
range is like. There are also external antennas you can get for both the
router and the remote PC to help improve transmission and reception.
On the other hand, the building's network access may give you better
options. Or, the ISP may be able to help you if they have a lot of cable
running to each room.
The solution may be very easy (like the wireless model above), or it may be
somewhat complex. I have no real idea, as we have so little information
about the premises.
In the end, you may need to consult with a local networking specialist. It
may be that you do have to run cable or work with the ISP or the router for
the building, and if that does look necessary you should get advice from
someone who has seen the premises.
HTH
-pk
