question about setting up a wired home network

[Helen]

I have windows XP on both computers that will be connected. I'm looking for
the most inexpensive method of home networking, and a bunch of cable run
through the house is no big deal. Is it possible to just add a second 10/100
card to the main computer (which is connected to the DSL), and run cat 5
cable from the first to the second? Then I wouldn't have to buy a router or
anything like that, right? But would it work, would the second comp be able
to access the internet through the first one? The first one would have to
always be on, I understand this, but that wouldn't be a problem. I've done a
million websearches, but all the articles I could find talk about buying a
router, which is expensive (I'm a student. I'm beyond broke.), and then I'd
STILL have to run a bunch of cable all over the house to connect both
computers to the router! Both computers already have 10/100 cards installed,
and so the cost of a second 10/100 card for the main comp, plus the cable,
wouldn't be too bad. I can get a 10/100 card for $15, and then I'm figuring
100 ft of cable wouldn't be more then $20, $25 or so, cos I got 25 ft of
purple cat5 for $5 at a local comp store a while back, so I figure plain
(not colored) cat5 cable shouldn't be anymore expensive. THANKS bunches for
any help and advice!

 

[Sooner Al]

Sure, XP ICS works well in this case. I use it at home for my current dialup ISP. You would need to
get a "cross-over" cable, or in your case an adapter that does the same thing if you plug two
straight cables into it, if you go direct PC-to-PC. Here is my current home LAN.

http://www.oecadvantage.net/ajarvi/WM2003/LAN/LAN.htm

Open "Help and Support" and search on ICS to help get it going...

Also look at the http://www.practicallynetworked.com site for a lot of help, etc...

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights...

 

[Gordie]

Bonjourno Helenó...

For a home network alls you need is 1 network card in each computer, and a
cross-over cat5 cable - go into maplin if u live in uk and explain ur just
doing a" peer to peer" network - p2p. That means there's only the 2
computers ur using in the network and that's it basically. You can add
another one tho but I don tthink that's relevent here.

Once you've linked them up just run the xp setup wizard, if youv'e any
problems post here. XP setup wizard can be total crap at times, so it could
be an idea to keep this newsgroup open...

Be a squish!

Me

 

[Helen]

But the NIC for the network can't be the same one as the NIC for connecting
to the DSL, right? So the main computer has to have 2 NICs, one for the DSL
connection, and one for connecting to the second computer. And what's
crossover cable? I take it that is it different from regular cat-5e cable?

 

[Tom A]

Hi Helen;
Yes the main computer with the DSL connection will need 2 network cards. A
crossover cable has 2 of the wires switched from one end to the other. As
noted you can buy such a cable or you can by an adapter that will do the
same thing when attached to a normal straight through cable. You can also
make up a cable but you need the crimping tool to attach the plugs.
You do need to install Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on the main
computer and set up the other as a client.
All that being said I would recommend that you rethink the router
possibility, it is a much better way to go. The current competitive market
is such that I have seen new routers for as little as 10 dollars after
rebates. With a router you get built in firewall protection and 1 computer
doesn't have to stay on for the other to use the connection.
Good luck however you go.
HTH;
TomA

 

[Guest]

Hi Helen. If you are referring to having two (total) computers rather than a host plus 2...then as stated by others here, for networking purposes, two NIC's and cross-over cat5 will do it. At this website, http://www.personalhomenetworks.com/ scrolling down the page just a mite, I purchased the two cards and 50ft of crossover cable, ($18.99). With my XP Machine (host) I very easily connected to the NIC card on the WinME (client) machine, and using the wizard...the connections were made in just a matter of minutes. I am on dialup so wife now uses her machine at pogo while I'm here at the newsgroup. <s> Merry Christmas.... Regards

 

[Tom A]

Hi again Helen;
I just ran across this and thought you might be interested.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...-details.asp?EdpNo=408514&Sku=G300-1064&Tab=5

TomA

 

[Gordie]

Yes, sorry, I meant 1 Nic for connecting to the home network is required on
each PC... I also thought your DSL might be connected through USB.

So yes, in total you'll need 3 NICS, i presume you already have 2? NIC's are
cheap, and can be bought for around £10 or less these days at good computer
shoplets.

Cross-over cable differs from normal cat 5 as the ends are 'paired' -
nothing too technical, it means the wires are in a different 'order' - so
the computers can communicate properly as it's just a peer 2 peer network
you'll be having - just the 2 computers. It's lenghty to explain but for
your benefit alls you need is the cross-over cat5 ethernet cable. Any decent
person in a shop should be able to tell you which one to buy, it'll say on
it aswell "cross-over/p2p ethernet" or something similiar

 

[Sooner Al]

In addition to the comments by myself and others, look at the Linksys FAQs. They are very
informative...

Starting with the difference between a straight and cross-over cable...

http://www.linksys.com/faqs/default.asp?fqid=20

The others...

http://www.linksys.com/faqs/

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights...