Wireless Networking - How To ?

[Mickey79]

Ave,

I have two computers at my home. Windows XP Corporate OS. Right now i have installed 2 PCI Network Cards (Realtek) in one of the computers and 1 PCI Network Card in the other. I have cable internet. I recieve internet on one of the cards and attach the other card to a small hub, and thus share internet connection using PCI cards & RJ45 ports and CAT5 Lan cables.

I'm planning on going wireless. I don't want to spend too much money... and i think at newegg.com i have seen wireless Routers & Adapters costing fairly economical.

Can someone guide what needs to be done?

What i have gathered so far (and i could be wrong), is that i get a D-Link Wireless Router, and plug in the RJ45 Internet Cable into that Router. Then i install D-Link Wireless adapters into a PCI Slot on both the computers, and that should bring internet to both the computers. But i don't know if this is how should be done.

I would really appreciate if someone can point me towards the right hardware, so i don't purchase something wrong, and the method.

Thanks,
Mickey

[yoda313]

Hi,

You should only need a wireless pci card for the receiving computer. You hook the wireless router into the computer with the original router and you won't need a wireless card for that pc. Just the one that you want to make wireless.

Kevin

[Mickey79]

Hi,

You should only need a wireless pci card for the receiving computer. You hook the wireless router into the computer with the original router and you won't need a wireless card for that pc. Just the one that you want to make wireless.

Kevin

Ave,

Ok, so from what i understand, this is what i do:

Connect Cable Modem to my PC using normal RJ45 ports, with a LAN Cable, just as it was originally connected.

Connect the Wireless Router to my PC using normal RJ45 ports, with a LAN Cable, like i connected my Hub, on the PC's second Lan Card.

Install a Wireless Adapter (PCI Card) in the 2nd PC.

The 2nd PC should recieve internet from the first PC wireless(ly).

Is this correct?

Thanks,
Mickey

[yoda313]

Hi,

Yes.

It will tell you but you need the cable modem going to the wireless router so it gets the signal and the wireless router going to the pc. It'll say so in the manual.

Kevin

[Mickey79]

Hi,

Yes.

It will tell you but you need the cable modem going to the wireless router so it gets the signal and the wireless router going to the pc. It'll say so in the manual.

Kevin

Ave,

Oh ok. So i guess it won't be using two LAN Cards on the computer, it will be like this instead:

Cable Modem (RJ45, Lan Cable) --> Wireless Router (RJ45, Lan Cable) --> PC --> 2nd PC (Wireless Adapter)

Also, for the Router & Adapter i need, I saw these two at NewEgg.Com ...

D-Link DI-524 Wireless Router
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127143

D-Link DWL-G510 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127145

Should i go for these two?

Thanks,
Mickey

[yoda313]

Hi,

I have the di-524 router and its excellent. I don't have any pci wireless cards so i can't help you there. But it would probably be a good idea to have them from the same brand to make it even easier to talk to each other. (not a requirement though).

Kevin

[Mickey79]

Hi,

I have the di-524 router and its excellent. I don't have any pci wireless cards so i can't help you there. But it would probably be a good idea to have them from the same brand to make it even easier to talk to each other. (not a requirement though).

Kevin

Ave,

Thanks man! I'm going to go for it.

Thanks again,
Mickey

[yoda313]

Hi,

No problem. Enjoy the wonderful world of wireless!

Kevin

[waheed]

Mickey

When you set up your wireless network, dont forget to enable wireless encryption under the router settings. The last thing you want is someone else using your internet access without your knowledge.

[Nelson37]

When you disconnect the cable modem from the PC, be sure to disconnect ALL cables including the power cord from the modem.

In order to connect to new hardware, the cable modem must be completely powered down for 3 to 5 minutes. Using OFF switch is not sufficient.

Also, most wireless routers have several wired connections, as well. Wired connection will be faster and more reliable than wireless. Should be able to wire to original PC and only use wireless NIC for the PC farthest away. Wireless NIC is also more expensive.

D-Link decent brand, cards and routers should be interchangeable. Do not enable hi-speed or encryption methods until system is functioning, and then add these one at a time. One recent model, the 108 speed boost is not compatible with WEP encryption.