Network without available PCI slot?

[reversing_drive 0]

I want to network two computer, though one doesn't have any free PCI slots, hence can't install quik-fix network card.

 

What options do i have?

 

I was thinking USB networking, I mean it is fast enough, though i haven't seen networks set up in this way.

 

Can a network be run through the USB port?

I that case i'll probably need a hub & stuff right.

 

The network is primarily for gaming, between a Win2K box & Win98se box, though occasionally may be used for file transfers.

 

Cheers,

 

PS I don't know squat about networking.

[kgeissler 0]

I know that the USB Phone Line networks are now up to 10Mb. I had one before I installed CAT 5, and it ran fine.

[Dirty Harry 0]

Your easiest option might (?) be to shift the PCI cards around, if you have two slots available total. Do you really want to keep all those cards in the primary machine; with a network most devices would be available on both.

 

Networking isn't that ddifficult, and you'll love it once you start. Think about throwing out something to make space for a standard NIC.

 

Just curious, how many slots (on both machines) and what cards are in use ? I'd guess you have at least 8 PCI slots alltogether.

 

H.

[JP- 0]

ISA network card if its for gaming you wont notice a speed difference

[reversing_drive 0]

kgeissler, I am interested, how do these USB phone line networks work? Is it a type of Network which Games like Half-Life, Blood2, QuakeII will recogonise?

 

Dirty Harry, The Main PC [Win2K box], has three PCI slots, which two are free (Sound & Video come from the Motherboard). The second PC [Win98se box] has two PCI slots, both are used, one for sound card the other for 32mb TNT2 video card which replaced the internal modem which was originally there. So not much options there.

 

M4Carbine, Yes i was also considering ISA, infact i had two old ISA Network cards though i have lost one:(, I didn't think i'd ever use them ;(, anyway how much do ISA network cards go for these days?

 

Another thought, Could one computer use a PCI slot network card and the other an ISA card?

Like i said i know squat about networking, probably wouldn't work huh?

 

Thanks again,

cheers.

[AndyFair 0]

Whether a network card is ISA or PCI doesn't make a difference to networking. The only downer with ISA is that I'm not sure that you'd be able to get a 100Mbps card - but for gaming, 10Mbps is more than adequate (some people cope with 56k connections for gaming!)

 

AndyF

[Dirty Harry 0]

A ISA NIC should be OK, but future proof it's not. A alternative is perhaps to get a cheap (used) ISA soundcard and go with PCI NIC's. On the other hand an ISA NIC won't cost you much, but could be difficult to find. You might also run into driver problems, especially if you ever try to use it on a W2K box. Dunno really, haven't used any ISA cards for years and never a ISA NIC.

 

H.

[reversing_drive 0]

What is an ISA NIC. as opposed to ISA card?

 

So does a 10Mbps network card deliver 10 megabytes of data per second?

Because i find that a 56k modem does not deliver 56 kilobytes a second, more like 4kb a second:(.

[Xiven 0]

10Mb/s = 10 Megabits per second = 10/8 = 1.25 MB/s theoretical maximum transfer rate (peak)

 

(lower case "b" should equal bit and upper case "B" should equal byte although many people confuse these)

 

Similarly 56K modem is 56 Kb/s which is about 7 KB/s

[kgeissler 0]

Your computer will see the phone line network as another network adapter in your system. If you are interested, I have 2 Diamond Homefree USB Phoneline adapters. They are only the 1Mb version, but they work ok. Let me know if you want them? I would be willing to sell them.

 

I stopped using them when I installed CAT5 cable in my house.

[Dirty Harry 0]

Quote:

What is an ISA NIC. as opposed to ISA card?

Its the same thing, a NIC is a Network Interface Card.
Sorry for the confusion, I should have been writing properly.

H.

[OLEerror 0]

There are also USB Ethernet devices available. It uses standard CAT5 cable and transmits at 10Mbs. You can find them at your local Best Buy or CompUSA. Here" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11008679&m=488&cat=540&scat=1576]Here is an example of one.

[Dirty Harry 0]

Ok, maybe I'm outta touch with ready-made computers (always bought 'em as parts) but it strikes me that you have two computers old enough to have only 2 or 3 PCI slots but functioning USB ports.

Just to avoid disappointment it might be worthwhile to test that those games are playable on both boxes.

 

H.

[reversing_drive 0]

Thanks for all the feedback, i am a little embaressed about the 10Mbps thing, oh well:p

 

Yeah i'll probably just get another ISA NIC. (Or if i'm lucky i might find the one i lost ;( ) Cos' what i have had to do in the past is call one computer with the other using both phone lines, which means i lock out the phone lines to the house:( , Which either meant short sessions or late ones.

 

Quote:

Ok, maybe I'm outta touch with ready-made computers (always bought 'em as parts) but it strikes me that you have two computers old enough to have only 2 or 3 PCI slots but functioning USB ports.

Just to avoid disappointment it might be worthwhile to test that those games are playable on both boxes.

To answer that, one is a compact little HP Pavilion 4404 [333mhz K6-2, 64mb PC133, 32 TNT2, Win98se] the other a Dell Dimension V400 [PII 400mhz MMX, 128mb PC100, ATI Rage 8Mb AGP, Win2K & Win98se]. Fair point though, i think ready-made computers can be a little skimpy on things such as extra ports & slots. Both have 2 USB ports though only the Dell is USB1.1 compliant. Both were new machines Late '98.

 

Cheers,

[Intlharvester 0]

Just as a point of reference 3COM 3C509 (this is sorta the 'classic' ISA NIC) are going for less than $5 on eBay. Make sure that you get one with a RJ45 plug (TP).

 

I'd probably go ISA over USB -- USB wasn't really designed for things like network devices, and the ISA stuff is cheap and *very* stable at this point.

[Brian Frank 0]

My dad used a USB network adapter when we first had a lan going. Wasn't that great though. Probably look in the cheap bins at shows or a local shop. I've used one before, does the job for what we usually need.

[three 0]

ISA NICs will work with 2k, had a box with that setup. If you are gonna network via a hub+isa, you would have to get a 10mbs hub, it would be better going for a switch instead so that you can utilize the 100mbs bandwith incase you upgrade. But if it's just 2 pcs your networking than a crossover cable should do the trick.