Q: Do I only need wireless card in my laptop

[Michael T]

I am expecting my new Dell Notebook to arrive next month with an wireless
card installed (an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal).

I have also purchased a Linksys wireless router so I can use my notebook
anywhere in my house with a Dell desktop as the host (in my bedroom).

I just need a simple question answered by you gurus.

Do I need a wireless card in my desktop (the hub/host) - or only in my
notebook? The reason I ask is the Linksys manual says to connect an Ethernet
cable between the router and my DSL cable modem. So I would need to
disconnect the Ethernet cable between my desktop and the cable modem.
Therefore I am left wondering how does the desktop "talk to" the cable modem
(and the wireless router)?

Michael

 

[Ron Martell]

I am expecting my new Dell Notebook to arrive next month with an wireless
card installed (an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal).

I have also purchased a Linksys wireless router so I can use my notebook
anywhere in my house with a Dell desktop as the host (in my bedroom).

I just need a simple question answered by you gurus.

Do I need a wireless card in my desktop (the hub/host) - or only in my
notebook? The reason I ask is the Linksys manual says to connect an Ethernet
cable between the router and my DSL cable modem. So I would need to
disconnect the Ethernet cable between my desktop and the cable modem.
Therefore I am left wondering how does the desktop "talk to" the cable modem
(and the wireless router)?

Michael

Wireless routers also have 4 ports for connecting wired computers.

When your router arrives disconnect the cable between your desktop and
the DSL cable modem and use that to connect the cable modem to the WAN
port on the router. Then use another ethernet cable (the router
should come with one) to connect your desktop PC to one of the four
LAN ports on the router.

You may also have to do some configuration of the router and/or your
cable DSL connection if your provider uses the MAC address of the
connected device to control access because your new router will have a
different MAC address than the network card in your PC.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Yves Leclerc]

It is always recommended to be able to connect a "wired" PC to a wireless
router. This provides a "backup" to access the router's configuration
if/when the wireless network fails to connect.

 

[Michael T]

Now I get it Ron - thanks to your post. It motivated me to do some
additional research.

Since I was able to download the Linksys manual before taking delivery I was
able to see a view of the back panel. I was not aware of the multiple ports
on the back.

So it looks like the following scenario will work (with my desktop wired).

Desktop NIC (network card) >> wireless router >> ADSL modem >> phone outlet
(for DSL interface)

Also thank you for the tip about the MAC address.

Michael

 

[Michael T]

It is always recommended to be able to connect a "wired" PC to a wireless
router. This provides a "backup" to access the router's configuration
if/when the wireless network fails to connect.

Thank you Yves. I am finally getting up to speed on the many nuances of home
networking. Now I can begin to concentrate on the nuances of connecting to
public hot spots.

Michael

 

[Ron Martell]

Now I get it Ron - thanks to your post. It motivated me to do some
additional research.

Since I was able to download the Linksys manual before taking delivery I was
able to see a view of the back panel. I was not aware of the multiple ports
on the back.

So it looks like the following scenario will work (with my desktop wired).

Desktop NIC (network card) >> wireless router >> ADSL modem >> phone outlet
(for DSL interface)

Exactly the way my setup is configured, except that my router is a
different brand. But that has no bearing on the configuration.
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Head Hunter]

Did you buy a wireless router, or a wireless DSL/Cable router? If you have
the wireless DSL router, you can connect the DSL modem to the WAN port on
the router, plug your desktop into the router, and your laptop can connect
to the router via the wireless. You could then use the PC to configure the
router. After that, your PC would not even need to be turned on.

If you have a regular wireless router (not DLS/cable) you would need a
second network card for your desktop so one NIC to the DSL modem and one for
the router. Then, gateway the two NICs together. Then, share the DSL modem
with Internet Connection Sharing. But that is a major pain.

If you didn't get the wireless DSL/Cable router, take the other one back and
get the right one. Then, configure like I said in the first part, and it
will be a piece of cake. (Until you get the "I'm not getting a signal"
crap, anyway)

 

[Michael T]

Did you buy a wireless router, or a wireless DSL/Cable router?

A wireless DSL/Cable router.

Thanks for the info.