Networking Situation

Here's the scenario: I have two computers, one running windows 98 and one running xp. I plan on setting up a wireless network with these computers, a new desktop running xp (that I have yet to buy) and a new labtop/notebook computer running xp as well (that I have yet to buy). I want them all to share a satellite connection that I have just had installed. I am new to networking, so what pieces of equipment would I have to use to do this. Remember, I plan on using wireless, and have seen D-Link as a possible router, but what other pieces would I need to get. Can I link all these three different operating systems together? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

Yes, you can certainly network those operating systems. And since the networking part is pretty standard (except for the wireless parts) you can search on here for any of the threads giving "how to" information for networking and do fine.


As to the wireless hardware you'll need
- wireless NICs (network cards) or USB and a device like the Linksys WUSB11 designed for USB to wireless networking.
- two different approaches on the router/switch component that runs your network and connects to your broadband modem. You can either go with
... a device like the D-Link DI-713P that has wireless support built in as well as some wired ports (around $180)
... a standard 4 port router/switch (around $50-$60) and a wireless-to-wired conversion device for each PC. It has one side that talks to the PC and another side you wire to the router.

I don't have any first-hand wireless experience so can't really make a good recommendation. I know (from other discussions) the 2nd option works well. Don't know a darned thing about the broadband IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless gateway you'd be using with the first option.

Don't even know if you want to go with pure 802.11b or want to venture into 802.11a or 802.11g. a & g are both lots faster than b but also newer and you may have more issues.

Most folks posting on here about wireless "how to" are starting with some wired equipment and are to some extent locked into specific technology. You are not and might as well get the best of breed for yourself unless the cost is too high. That being the case, I'd recommend you post your questions about which wireless devices to a forum that deals mostly with wireless. They can give you first hand advice and probably help you avoid problems.

This one looks interesting. Likewise Here
(edit note - sorry about the original goof on the links. Fixed now)

Or do a google search for wireless networking forum and look for forums with recent threads.

 

OKay, that helps a lot.

So I'll need a networking card for each computer. Then I can choose a "D-link "-esque device that connects to the computer and then acts as a router to talk to other computers OR I can choose a router and a convesion device that wiill connect it to the computer. I'm very new to networking, and I am trying to amass a shopping list to get as I have decided to get the network right before I buy the other computers. So would the easiest (and hopefully best option) would be to just get a network card and a D-Link DI 713 P?

 

Is this accurate?

I'm trying to get an image of how to set up the network. Is this correct?

 

Okay, I'm making my internet "shopping" list. I have included two (for each computer so far) D-Link AirPlusâ„¢ Xtreme G DWL-G520 54Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter Card. Those are my network cards. Then I come into some trouble. I'm going to have two computers that I want to hook up (with more to come)... I know I need a router to reak the benefits of my satellite connection on all the other computers, but what is an access point. If a router makes sure information from one network is goign to where it should be and information is not goign where it shouldn't be, then is an access point a place where you recieve information from some other device that sends it. Or is it multipurpose and it sends and recieves the radio signals. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

How about I buy two NETGEAR WG602 54Mbps Wireless Access Point and one D-Link AirPlusâ„¢ DI-624 Xtreme G 54Mbps Wireless Router. Will these work together? I hope someone here at the almighty Windows BBS can help. I plan on using the D-Link AirPlusâ„¢ Xtreme G DWL-G520 54Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter Card for each desktop computer... Who knows what will happen when I get a lab top (if I do).... I have gone from knowing diddly squak about networking to a higher level of experience in such a short period that my brain is fried, and its time I ask one of you (again) to take the torch for a moment and help me along. Thank you all, good night.. hopefully :-D

 

BriGuy2005 - I'm pretty fair on networking but no good at all on the wireless part. The more I read the less sure I was what to recommend.

I just fixed the links to wireless networking forums and still think they'd be your best bet for specifics on what wireless equipment will do the best job for you.

 

satellite is a differant beast to network. Is yours starband based or direcway or some other. I have direcway and have found this message board to be wonderful.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sat
There is quite a bit on wireless networking of a direcway system. It is a little differant because the direcway connection needs a computer to run the sat software. That computer then can be shared to other computers on the netowork. You cant really use a router becouse the main computer is in effect your router. If you do buy a router be it wireless or other you are going to have to disable the dhcp server in it.

read read read

sam