Networking Help

[bhinderharminder]

Hi Guys,

Ive got three computers and a printer , what i want to do is attach all the computers to the printer and i want to be able to share documents/programs to each computer. And at a later date add internet access.

Cheers

 

[Stu DemonD]

Buy a router.

Plug in all the PCs to that - are any wireless? Are you on Cable or DSL broadband --- EDIT - ah, no net access yet for them, why not?

Then attach the printer to the main PC - set up a workgroup for all 3 machines, then enable file/print sharing accordingly.

 

[bhinderharminder]

cheers for the reply,
i aint got a clue about a router, what should i be looking for when choosing one, or can anyone recommend me one. None of the pc are wireless but i would rather have wireless.
cheers again

 

[Stu DemonD]

Well, I would suggest getting a modem/router as one package - nice and simple then to set up the network for net access - hence why I asked whether you are on cable or DSL

I use a 3Com at home, and Linksys in the office - again, do you OR will you need wireless access at any point?

 

[bhinderharminder]

i will be getting adsl in a few months time, i would rather have a wireless network rather than a wired.
So for the wireless network i would need a wireless router, and wireless adaptors for each desktop?

Cheers

 

[custard]

you need the wireless router and dongles for each pc though if you site the router next to the main pc you can just wire it to the router.
means you always have one pc hard wired

 

[Paulslack104]

Decide on who you are goin to have your broadband with before you buy you're router. If you're getting it with a company that uses your telephone line, then you will need a router with modem built in. If the company has to put you a line in (i know blueyonder does) then you will need a router (without modem built in)

also depending on the distance between your router and your computers decides on the speed of the router you buy:

G = 54Mbps - probably do 2 rooms max each way
G+ = 108/125Mbps - almost double the distance of G
Pre n / draft n = 250Mbps+ - will definetly cover your whole house (and some of next doors house too!)

Once you have decided on the router you want, get the network cards/usb dongles that match that speed. eg. if you get G+ router, get G+ network card/usb dongles.

About the printer, you can either connect the printer to one computer and share it, or you can get a print server (wireless or wired) to connect it to the router. Both have good points and bad. If its shared from one computer then that computer has to be on for any other computer to print from it. If its connected to your router with a print server, any computer on that network can print from it, but that way is a bit more expensive and tricky to set up.

good luck!

 

[Hellcat]

He said he's getting ADSL.

54G is fine to cover a whole house. My dad has a single wireless access point and you can get 54mbps from the basement right upto the attic, there are 3 floors between them, and 18" brick walls. None of this plasterboard nonsence!

I'd recommend for ease of use the Netgear products. I have a DG834GT and used it without hassle while on ADSL. Since then I have moved to DSL via a Netgear RP114, and the DG834GT works as my wireless access.

As for the printer, some wireless ADSL modem/routers have a print server included too!

 

[bhinderharminder]

ok, thanks for the help guys