Network hardware question

have a router (Linksys WRT54G)currently connected to Dell notebook, which computer has recently developed serious problems and has to go in for repairs, once I find a competent repair person in my locale. I will be be bringing another Dell (a desktop) into the room with the cable connections and modem to replace notebook. The Dell desktop is currently connected to the notebook router via a D-link pci card wireless adapter (D-link DWL G520). I'll need to use the desktop to host the router and enable another computer to connect to router. Do I have to disable the adapter in before I connect and set up the router? Or can they coexist on same computer? I don't want to open computer to remove PCI wireless adapter, if that can be avoided. I'll be grateful for any responses and suggestions.
Thanks in advance, Oldone

 

If you mean, can you have a cable network card and a wireless network card in a PC at the same time, then the answer is yes. Have a search of this group for postings regarding "Binding order ", as there are issues regarding this. The binding order defines which NIC (network interface card) the computer tries first. You should have the NIC you use most as the top bound card.

If both cards are active and connected to the same network, it is possible to get infinite loops and broadcast storms (one NIC sends out a broadcast that the other NIC responds to - this confuses the computer and generates a lot of traffic). The symptom of this is all the lights on your switch/router flashing together all the time, many times a second. Once seen never forgotten. However, modern systems seem to be able to detect this and prevent it and as most wireless enabled laptops have this set up when connected to a wireless router by cable, your arrangement shouldn't cause a problem.

If you mean can you be connected to two networks at the same time, the answer is again yes, but there are a number of considerations to take into account. To work seamlessly the two networks should use differnet IP space, that is to use different subnets. In lay men's language the network IP addresses need to be different. Otherwise you can get routing issues (the computer doesn't know which network to send packets to, and insteads sends them to both). Also default routes could be an issue. You should set up your computer with only one of the NICs having a default route set.