Networking help needed so confused here!

Stevens-Sorrells

I am new here as you can see but I need help so bad!!!!! I am trying to get the kids computers net worked together for their school work and I don't know a thing about it. What do I need? I have 2 differant computers can I still do it? school starts next week and I am so confused here I also have a printer I would like for them to share. They will be in the same room. Someone anyone help me please me I am mom who only knows how to email. Thank you

Zuntar

You will need to purchase either a switch or a router, preferably a router. If the computers are in the same room, then I would get a wired router instead of a wireless. How do you access the internet? Do want these computers to access the net?

kryyst

What zunter is saying is you need to get one of these Best by Linksys Router.

If you are connecting to the internet through high speed cable or dsl you connect your modem to the router and as well as all the computers. The router then negotiates the internet connection and establishes your network neighbourhood.

However that doesn't mean the computers will instantly be able to see each other. First they must all be apart of the same workgroup. Which by default is called 'workgroup' if they are all windows machines, regardless of their brand or windows version. Then you need to add shared folder(s) to each computer. Anything in that shared folder can be seen on another computer because it will show up in the network neighbour hood. The printer can also be shared out from whatever computer it is attached to.

If you are running windows XP on every machine that's the basics. If you are running different versions of windows on each/all computer then you also should add the NetBui protocol to every computer in your network so they can talk to each other.

That at least will get you started.

rapture

I would strongly recommend you DONT buy a router/switch/hub unless you really need one.

Get yourself a crossover cable. They're cheap, simple and effective when you want to network 2 machines.

Once you're a bit more comfortable with networking or you feel you would like to add more machines you can always think about buying a hub.

kryyst

Rapture is speaking the truth. If they only need to talk to each other and don't need to get on the internet - through a high speed connection then a cross over cable is easier.

One thing we've all been assuming is that both of these computers have network cards.

airoh69

even when the pc`s need to get on the internet, assuming that the pc uses network card to connect on the internet, you can install a second network card on the pc that connects to the internet and give internet to the other pc through the second network card. The problem is thought that the first pc must be turned on so that the second pc can have internet.

kryyst

airoh69 wrote:

even when the pc`s need to get on the internet, assuming that the pc uses network card to connect on the internet, you can install a second network card on the pc that connects to the internet and give internet to the other pc through the second network card. The problem is thought that the first pc must be turned on so that the second pc can have internet.

Don't see a real good reason for doing it that way though. A router will give you a hardware firewall and is much easier to configure that way without having to worry about setting up a bridged network and all that.

Yes it can be done but routers are sooo cheap I don't see a reason not to go that way.

airoh69

Just giving my idea. I also agree that a simple broadband router is the best solution.