Help re networking

Question

My daughter has a Dell Dimension 3100 Pentium 4 521 (2.80GHz) desk top model D-05316 with Windows XP Media Centre (18months old) We have just bought her children a Dell desk top Inspiron 530 E 2140 Pentium Dual Core Processor 1.60GHz FSB, 1MB cache with Windows XP. I need to know what cables etc I need to buy to be able to network them together on her Virginmedia(NTL) broadband.  The 2 PC's will be only a few feet from each other. Will it be simple to connect them together and will any configuration be needed? Any help and advice will be appreciated. Thanks B

volcano11 · Answer

Your best option would be to purchase a router,  You will need standard ethernet cables to connect each computer to the router and another one to connect the router to the broadband modem.   If, in the future, you foresee connecting computers to this network by wireless, then you should get a wireless router.  Wireless routers have 4 ethernet ports, just like a standard router, but add the ability to connect by wireless.   Steve

babsi · Answer

Thanks Steve for your prompt reply.Someone suggested a crossover cable as we only needed to join 2 PC's. Would this be simpler to set up than a router if we are only basically computer literate? We are not likely to use 'wireless' in the future.

volcano11 · Answer

Yes, you could use a cross-over cable, but you would need two network adapters in the computer that makes the internet connection, you would have to enable internet connection sharing on the computer that makes the connection, and the computer that makes the connection would have to be powered on anytime the other computer requires a connection.  It is possible, but a router is much much much less complicated and much much easier to troubleshoot when something goes wrong.  In my opinion, the $25 you would save by using a cross-over cable, is not worth the trouble you will eventually have.   Steve

volcano11 · Answer

You should be able to find a router for less than $30.  Don't forget in figuring the difference that you need to consider the cost of the cross-over cable and the cost of the extra network adapter.   Steve

Suzi2 · Answer

Thanks Steve for the advice. The price I was quoted for a router was double what you mention so I will have to look around. B

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Help re networking

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