Ace 0 Posted August 23, 2003 I'm getting a new computer and I want to connect it with a laptop. They both have a NIC and I know I will be needing a hub. Do I need look for anything specific in a hub? Also are there any software needed to install? Thanks. Share this post Link to post
adamvjackson 0 Posted August 23, 2003 Wired or wireless? I would probably recommend a fairly inexpensive router/internet gateway, such as what Linksys or Netgear market. That way, if you don't already have broadband internet access, adding it later is a snap. Also, the router/WAP will function as a DHCP server, so there'll be virtually no client configuration necessary, unless you choose to. Share this post Link to post
sapiens74 0 Posted August 23, 2003 A nice linksys router will do . THey are pretty cheap nowadays, and act as a firewall, router Share this post Link to post
Ace 0 Posted August 23, 2003 So, really any hub or router will do and all the networking should automatically detect right? I'm mainly doing this just to play some LAN games and sharing some hard drive space between the computers. I also am doing this wired since I don't have the wireless network cards. Share this post Link to post
adamvjackson 0 Posted August 23, 2003 If you use a router, then yes, everything will be set up for you. If you use a hub or switch, you will either need to have a DHCP server or set static IP addresses on your machines. A router with NAT (network address translation) does offer some protection, but to call it a firewall is slightly misleading. Personally, I use a Linksys BEFSR41 at home, along with a software firewall (Sygate Personal Firewall, if you were curious) to restrict incoming and outbound access as needed. The best protection you could get with a SOHO-class router would be to forward known-dangerous ports via the router config utility/applet to invalid internal IP addresses. Hope that helps, and you might want to check out www.labmice.net for a more complete explanation on common networking components, etc. Share this post Link to post
Four and Twenty 0 Posted August 23, 2003 if you are going to get a cheap router get a netgear not a linksys Share this post Link to post
Ace 0 Posted August 27, 2003 I was actually thinking of getting a crossover cable instead for my network since it's only 2 computers. Can the crossover cables connect a desktop and laptop computer? Both computers are running Windows XP and what configurations will I have to do in order for the 2 computers to share their hard drive space and also play LAN games with each other? Thanks Share this post Link to post
ViolentGreen 0 Posted August 28, 2003 Quote: I was actually thinking of getting a crossover cable instead for my network since it's only 2 computers. Can the crossover cables connect a desktop and laptop computer? Both computers are running Windows XP and what configurations will I have to do in order for the 2 computers to share their hard drive space and also play LAN games with each other? Thanks Yeah, thats all you need to do. Just run the network setup wizard and it'll set everything up for you. I have yet to get the file sharing working the way I want it though. Share this post Link to post