Home Network

jamespaul,

The answer depends on what type of Internet connection you have. If it's broadband (DSL or cable), you'll need a broadband router. If it's dialup, you'll need to install Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing software on the machine that makes the dialup connection. If you're using AOL for your connection, please note that Internet Connection Sharing is reported to be incompatible with AOL dialup.

HomeNetHelp.com's Internet connection sharing guide covers both those types of connection sharing very well, and will give you a good overview of how they work and what's needed to make them work. I'd suggest starting there, and posting back if you have more questions.

Jim

OK! Thanks for you prompt reply. First of all to clarify things,I have AOL broadband. From what I have read I would like a wired (ethernet) connection to my desktop and a wireless connection to my laptop. So what I need is a NIC PCI card for the Dimension 2300 and a PCMCIA wirless adapter card for the Latitude D505, as well as a Wireless Router that has ethernet connections. The printers are shared through the Windows XP network software.

Is this correct?

Are there any particular cards needed/recommended for my machines?

jamespaul,

Assuming no complexities due to the presence of AOL software, that's the right list. While not a compatibility issue, it's best if all three devices come from the same vendor - Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, or others - to avoid "finger-pointing" if there are problems requiring support from the vendor.

The reason AOL software is frequently mentioned as a potential source of problems is that in some AOL configurations, special "pseudoadapters" are created and layered on top of the network adapter drivers provided by the OS or the network adapter vendor. I don't know whether an AOL broadband installation has problems like that or not. Something that's worth thinking about is that after the router is installed, neither the desktop nor the laptop will be making a direct connection to the AOL service - the broadband modem will be cabled to the WAN/Internet side of the router. So if there's an authentication step required by AOL before the broadband connection actually works, the router will need to be able to perform it, since neither PC will be directly connected to the broadband modem.

Jim