Simple home network?

Hello All -

I'd like to set up a simple 2-computer network in my home. I have been told so many things about what can and can't be done in the past few days that my head is swimming. So . . . I have come to WindowsBBS to ask the people I trust and have no financial interest in how it gets done. This has to be a low-budget project because I don't know how long the need for it will exist.

At the present time we have dial-up Internet access only. Both computers are running Win98SE and have operable modems. I have 'Network cards' for each computer and enough FastCat5e cable to reach from one to the other comfortably.

All I want to do is have the two computers communicate with each other to share files from time to time and for both to have the ability to access the Internet - but not at the same time. Each computer has its own printer so "printer sharing" isn't a necessity.

What I really need to know is this - Do I really need any more hardware to make this little network a reality? I have had people try to sell me hubs, switches and routers (wired and wireless) up the wazoo and I've also been told that I have all I need. Help!!

I'd also like to have someone explain the difference between hubs, switches and routers to me. In plain old American English, if possible, please. No "geek-speak ".

Basically, all I want is for my step-daughter to have access to the Internet on a computer that isn't this one. Then she can download all her funky stuff without messing mine up any more than it already is - which is about two steps from another 'format' to clean it all up and be done with it.

As always, any and all help is greatly appreciated. TIA


Mike

 

Thanks for the post, Pete.

I haven't had time to read it all yet but I can see there is some good information there. I'll take some more time this evening to try to soak it all up. If I have any more questions I'll be back here with them.


Mike

 

Another site that might provide some useful information;
http://www.homepcnetwork.com/

 

Thanks for the post, Bill -

Between your link and Pete's, even I should be able to get this thing 'off the ground'. I'll try to digest all of this stuff in the next day or so and let you know how it went.

Thanks again to both of you.


Mike

 

No problem Mike. I'm not a network guru by any means but with the two sites mentioned I was able to get my home network off the ground.

Bill