fender62 said:
im moving over from dialup to broadband, i have two pc one downstairs
and one upstairs, neither have ethernet cards
what is the best way of setting up the connection from the broadband
modem
downstairs, will have to run cables up stairs for the pc.
exactly what do i need to get it up and running for both desktops
im running xp pro
The best way of accomplishing this is to network your computers using a
router. Depending on the construction of your home and the distance(s)
between the computers and the place where your broadband modem and
router will be located, you can do this wirelessly. On the other hand,
if running an Ethernet cable from the router to the computers is easy
for you to do, that will result in a more secure, more reliable, and
somewhat faster local network.
Ethernet adapters for desktop computers are quite inexpensive. Although
it is possible to get a USB to Ethernet adapter, if you have a free PCI
slot in your desktops, you should get a pci card adapter.
Even if you plan to use a wireless network, you will want at least on
Ethernet adapter that you will use to configure your router.
There really is no need to buy anything other than a "10/100" adapter
(if you think you can run cables through your house, you could consider
buying "Gigabit" 10/100/1000 adapters, although with Win XP, the
increase in throughput will not be as much as you might think).
Just as an example, see
http://www.compusa.com/products/products.asp?N=200140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=ethernet+pci+adapter
If you go wireless, in addition to the router, you will need a wireless
adapter for each computer. Here also, you can get either pci card or
usb adapters. With wireless adapters, however, the usb versions have
the advantage that you can use a short USB extension cord (sometimes
supplied with the adapter) to position the adapter and its antenna in a
more optimum place than down behind the computer case. Some pci card
wireless adapters have detachable antennas that can similarly be relocated.
The current wireless standard is 802.11G, although some of the newer
802.11N (not yet ratified as a standard) devices apparently are behaving
nicely. Get a name brand: Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, Buffalo or
similar. Personally, I've had good experience with Linksys.
This is a pretty good router, and it includes a built-in rf-amplifier:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162134
And this 802.11n router has been recommended in this newgroup:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=530
I suggest that you stick to the same brand and "family" for wireless
adapters that you select for the router. In other words, if you choose
to get the D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655), then get the D-Link
Xtreme N Gigabit adapters shown on the product spec page. If you get
the Buffalo WHP-HP-G54, Buffalo does not offer a corresponding "MIMO"
adapter for desktops; you'd probably do best with one of Buffalo's
"Wireless G 125" family of adapters.
For general info on setting up networks, see
http://www.ezlan.net/
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx