After lurking on this board for awhile, I would like to verify the components necessary for two computers to share cable broadband internet access and possibly a printer. My main goal is for the 2nd PC to share internet access with the 1st, and if I can provide printer sharing capability at the same time, it would be a plus.
PC #1: Dell Dimension 4500 Pentium 4 running Windows XP
PC#2: Dell Dimension 4600 Pentium 4 running Windows XP Professional
This is what I think I know: the broadband modem should be connected to the wireless router - PC#1 should be connect to the router through the ethernet network port and thus must have an ethernet network adapter installed - PC#2 will connect through the wireless router and will need a wireless network card.
Questions:
Is what I've stated above correct?
What is the difference between a router and an access point? Would I be better off installing an access point instead of a router?
How can I determine if an ethernet network adapter is installed on PC#1?
Should PC#2, which was purchased only a couple of weeks ago, have a wireless network card already in it? How can I determine if it does?
Will the internet access speed of PC#2 be as fast as the wired PC#1?
Will any additional hardware or software be needed for the two PC's to share a printer?
Can someone recommend a wireless router, preferably one that is easy to set up and provides the fastest speed?
What is the difference between a router and an access point? A router makes it easy to share an internet connection, as it will make the connection to the broadband modem and then distribute the connection to the variouis computers on the local network. An access point cannot make the connection to the broadband modem, except through a computer, but does connect the computers together in a local network. While it is possible to use Windows built-in Internet connection sharing with an Access point, a router is much better and does not require one of the computers to be powered on in order for the others to have internet access.
Would I be better off installing an access point instead of a router? No, a router is much better and is more trouble-free.
How can I determine if an ethernet network adapter is installed on PC#1? Go into Device Manager and expand the listing next to Network adapters. If you have an ethernet adapter installed, it will be listed there. You can also look at the back of your computer for a connector that resembles a telephone connector, but is larger than a standard telephone connector.
Should PC#2, which was purchased only a couple of weeks ago, have a wireless network card already in it? How can I determine if it does? Many PCs come with built in ethernet adapters, but not with built in wireless adapters. You usually have to order the wireless adapter separately.
Will the internet access speed of PC#2 be as fast as the wired PC#1? Yes. The only time you might notice a difference in speed is if both computers are downloading large files from the internet at the same time. Normal web browsing speed is very little affected.
Will any additional hardware or software be needed for the two PC's to share a printer? No, the printer will just be connected to one of the computers. If the other computer is runnning Windows XP, XP will normally detect the printer and install drivers.
Can someone recommend a wireless router, preferably one that is easy to set up and provides the fastest speed? As far as internet connection speed is concerned, all routers run much faster than the speed of the broadband internet connection. Routers with only 802.11b are slower on the local network than are those with 802.11g, but you will only need the faster 802.11g speed if you do a lot transferring of large files on the local network (again, it will make no difference on the internet connection). Routers from Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear, get good reviews on these forums. I have used Linksys products for years with no problems.
SamBro
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
May 31st, 2004 03:00
After lurking on this board for awhile, I would like to verify the components necessary for two computers to share cable broadband internet access and possibly a printer. My main goal is for the 2nd PC to share internet access with the 1st, and if I can provide printer sharing capability at the same time, it would be a plus.
PC #1: Dell Dimension 4500 Pentium 4 running Windows XP
PC#2: Dell Dimension 4600 Pentium 4 running Windows XP Professional
This is what I think I know: the broadband modem should be connected to the wireless router - PC#1 should be connect to the router through the ethernet network port and thus must have an ethernet network adapter installed - PC#2 will connect through the wireless router and will need a wireless network card.
Questions:
Is what I've stated above correct?
What is the difference between a router and an access point? Would I be better off installing an access point instead of a router?
How can I determine if an ethernet network adapter is installed on PC#1?
Should PC#2, which was purchased only a couple of weeks ago, have a wireless network card already in it? How can I determine if it does?
Will the internet access speed of PC#2 be as fast as the wired PC#1?
Will any additional hardware or software be needed for the two PC's to share a printer?
Can someone recommend a wireless router, preferably one that is easy to set up and provides the fastest speed?
Thanks in advance for your help.
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
May 31st, 2004 15:00
Is what I've stated above correct? Yes
What is the difference between a router and an access point? A router makes it easy to share an internet connection, as it will make the connection to the broadband modem and then distribute the connection to the variouis computers on the local network. An access point cannot make the connection to the broadband modem, except through a computer, but does connect the computers together in a local network. While it is possible to use Windows built-in Internet connection sharing with an Access point, a router is much better and does not require one of the computers to be powered on in order for the others to have internet access.
Would I be better off installing an access point instead of a router? No, a router is much better and is more trouble-free.
How can I determine if an ethernet network adapter is installed on PC#1? Go into Device Manager and expand the listing next to Network adapters. If you have an ethernet adapter installed, it will be listed there. You can also look at the back of your computer for a connector that resembles a telephone connector, but is larger than a standard telephone connector.
Should PC#2, which was purchased only a couple of weeks ago, have a wireless network card already in it? How can I determine if it does? Many PCs come with built in ethernet adapters, but not with built in wireless adapters. You usually have to order the wireless adapter separately.
Will the internet access speed of PC#2 be as fast as the wired PC#1? Yes. The only time you might notice a difference in speed is if both computers are downloading large files from the internet at the same time. Normal web browsing speed is very little affected.
Will any additional hardware or software be needed for the two PC's to share a printer? No, the printer will just be connected to one of the computers. If the other computer is runnning Windows XP, XP will normally detect the printer and install drivers.
Can someone recommend a wireless router, preferably one that is easy to set up and provides the fastest speed? As far as internet connection speed is concerned, all routers run much faster than the speed of the broadband internet connection. Routers with only 802.11b are slower on the local network than are those with 802.11g, but you will only need the faster 802.11g speed if you do a lot transferring of large files on the local network (again, it will make no difference on the internet connection). Routers from Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear, get good reviews on these forums. I have used Linksys products for years with no problems.
Steve