Sharing Broadband

If you're just planning on sharing internet, you'll want a cheap 802.11b router and a cheap 802.11b wireless card of sometype for your computer upstairs (the type will depend on whether it's a laptop or desktop and the types of ports you have).

If you ever plan on doing extensive file-sharing, or happen to find a good sale, then you can go with 802.11g.  Coincidentally, you can currently get a D-Link wireless card (notebook, desktop, or USB) and a wireless router for a total of $40 after rebate at best buy.  Not a bad deal at all.

With a USB-only modem, you are going to have trouble, as there are very few routers on the market that can connect by USB.  If you can find a wireless router that will connect by USB, then all you will need for your upstairs computer is a wireless network card.  It can be either a PCI card or a USB wireless network adapter.  

If you can't find a wireless router at a reasonable price, then you would have to use Windows Internet Connection Sharing software, get a wireless router, and put in in access point mode.  In this case the computer that connects directly to the modem by USB will act as a router and will have to be powered on whenever the other computer(s) want an internet connection.

You best bet would be to replace the USB-only modem with one that can connect by ethernet. 

Steve

Hi all i will be doing is surfing the net upstairs on my second desktop.

For the desktop upstars I need a PCI card to recieve the wireless broadband. Dont I?

For the desktop downstairs I need a wireless router to send it.

My broadband modem is USB do i connect that directly to the router or not. Im really quite confused as to how it works.

Thanks for any help you can give

Dan

Cheers for the help mate.

I have been looking at the Belkin site and you fill in all the details about what you are connecting and how etc. They recomend using an access point then 2 pci cards in each desktop. Would this be a way around it? Would this also be better if i was thinking about adding a laptop too the network, which would obviously just need a pci card in its slot?

Cheers Dan

revolutionpc,

Nemesis is correct.  The main point is that a USB modem is not going to connect to the most common routers.  I think what Belkin was suggesting is to use an access point (or router in access point mode) like I suggested in a previous reply.  In this case, because you have a USB modem, you do not need 2 PCI ethernet cards.  The 2 PCI ethernet cards would only be required if the modem was an ethernet modem and you were going to use internet connection sharing.  The point is moot, however, because if you had an ethernet modem, you would want to connect it to a router.  Belkin is confused.  Your problem is not the router, it is the USB only modem.  As Nemesis suggested, contact your ISP and find out what ethernet modem you can purchase that has an ethernet connection.  Many modems have both ethernet and USB (but you would only use one of these at the same time).

Steve

You could connect as follows:

internet --(i.e. ASDL line) --> ASDL Modem  ---USB--> Desktop   .... 

you could then install a single PCI wireless card in the desktop and enable internet connection sharing (ICS) on the desktop.  ICS is included with win98 SE and up (i think) and will turn your desktop into a software router.

From this point you would put a wireless card in the other PC and have it connect to the desktop for internet access and filesharing.

This system has several disadvantages though.  Firstly, you will not be able to have internet in the upstairs PC unless the desktop connected to the modem is turned on.  Secondly, the desktop connected to the modem is directly connected to the internet, which is never great from a security standpoint (especially if you don't know what you're doing when you start turning things like file sharing on).  Thirdly, the expandability of this system will be somewhat limited as ad-hoc networks (and ICS) are not as efficient as having dedicated hardware support.

With the above method you would simply need a single wireless connection for each computer (no "access point" is required).  While this method would work, I would still recommend you do the following:

1) Double check to make absolutely sure that your modem does not have an ethernet port (looks like a large phone port) on it.  If it has an ethernet port, you should buy a wireless router.

2) If the modem is truely USB only, then (cost depending) I would suggest looking for a different modem that has ethernet support and that could connect to a hardware wireless router.

Post back,

~~dan

Belkin seem to think like this

Internet ----> Your ASDL Modem ---> Desktop in the study fitted with a Wireless PCI Card

Then have an access point

Then have a Wireless PCI Card fitted in the pc upstairs

For this they reckon you need 2x 802.11g Wireless Desktop Network Card & 802.11g Wireless Network Access Point

Are they wrong connecting it like this???

I have a BT Voyager 105 external ASDL USB modem. The only ports on the back are USB and DSL Line. If i brought a new modem then couldnt i just get a ASDL Modem/router all in one then put wireless cards in the two pc's

Dan

Another thing how much speed will i loose with a wireless connection??

Thanks for all the help you have given me Cheers guys.

Dan

Yes, you can buy an ASDL modem/router/wireless access point/switch combo, so long as your ISP says it will work.

You will not need a second wireless card though if there is a desktop close to the router.  Just plug it in directly with ethernet cable (you will need an ethernet card).

You will not see any difference in 802.11b speeds vs your current speeds for internet...

Nice cheers for all ya help guys, i will get on to my ISP.

Dan