Wireless networking questions

[Enquiring Mind]

Hi,



I have a desktop computer that doesn't have a wireless network interface,
and a laptop that does. I normally connect the laptop to the desktop using
an Ethernet network cable, and I network between the two for printer and
file sharing using the wired infrastructure. Just recently, however, a
neighbour has allowed me to share his open wireless broadband connection. I
have therefore set up the laptop to connect to the internet through a LAN if
a wireless connection is present.



The wireless connection between the laptop and the wireless access point
seems to work fine. However there are two problems:

1) From tome to time an error message pops up in the desktop computer
(in the System Tray area) stating: "There is an IP address conflict with
another system on the network." What settings need to be made to avoid this
condition?

2) Sometimes when Internet Explorer is running on both computers, I
find that IE on the desktop computer seems to work through the laptop's
wireless connection. However if I launch Outlook or Outlook Express on the
desktop, I continue get the dial-up connection dialog box pop-up asking me
if I wish to connect. What exactly is happening?



Many thanks for any guidance on these matters.



Enquiring Mind

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Your Laptop is connected to two Independent Networks (your through wire, and
the neighbor through the wireless). Two Independent Networks can not work in
Tandem if they are Not Bridged (computer running WinXP Pro can bridge two
Networks).
However, you do not want to alter your Network, or your neighbor Network by
Bridging them, doing so you can create security and functional problems to
both of you. If you have a broadband connection you can get your own
Wireless Cable/DSL Router (some are as low as $20) and have your own
Wireless. Or, do what you need to do over the Internet while you are
unplugged from your Network, and plug it back when you are done using the
neighbor connection.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Enquiring Mind]

Thanks for your quick response.

Hi
Your Laptop is connected to two Independent Networks (your through wire,
and the neighbor through the wireless). Two Independent Networks can not
work in Tandem if they are Not Bridged (computer running WinXP Pro can
bridge two Networks).

My laptop does in fact have a network bridge. It was installed for me by my
employer to enable me to connect my laptop to the corporate network.

When I open the Network Connections window the information pane is divided
into 3 sections, headed "Dial-Up", "LAN or High-speed Internet", and
"NetworkBridge". For some reason under "LAN or High-speed Internet" there's
only "Bluetooth Network" listed, while under "Network Bridge" 4 netwroks are
listed: "Wireless Network Connection", "Local Area Connection", "1394
Connection", and "Network Bridge". Can my neighbour's wireless network some
how be moved so as to be linked by theNetwork Bridge?

However, you do not want to alter your Network, or your neighbor Network
by Bridging them, doing so you can create security and functional problems
to both of you. If you have a broadband connection you can get your own
Wireless Cable/DSL Router (some are as low as $20) and have your own
Wireless. Or, do what you need to do over the Internet while you are
unplugged from your Network, and plug it back when you are done using the
neighbor connection.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

Since posting my last post, I have installed a wireless network interface
card in my desktop, and can use it to connect to my neighbour's open
wireless network. Knowing very little about wireless networks, I have a
couple of concerns:
1. I realise that all information travelling over the wireless network can
be read in transit and is therefore totally unsecure. However can I be
certain that the wireless network cannot be used to view or copy the
resources on my desktop computer, e.g. the Share Documents folder, or access
my local wired network?
2. If I wish to configure the wireless network card on my desktop as the
access point of my personal wireless network, can I give it an SSID and make
my personal wireless network secure via encryption and user log-in?

Thanks for any guidance.

Enquiring Mind