Whats the best way of home networking so i can link the CPU in my bedroom to the one in the office downstairs.

All i want is an internet connection upstairs.

Is it easiest to get 2x network cards and 1 x network cable and use the Home networking wizard on Me

yeah its as simple as that but make sure you get the right cable, otherwise the information will only be able to travel one way through the cable, cant remember what its called just ask when you buy it

you could go for the more expensive option and get the wireless network cards :D

adamgroves: a cable that only lets the data travel one way??? wtf? :)

Rover200boy: the ICS (internet connection sharing) is almost certainly the easiest way,

the cable is called a "crossover" cable. PC-world sell them, and the bits to make them yourself, (which imho is cheaper than trying to find a long crossover cable). alternativly, if you've got broadband, did you get a cross-over adapter with it that you're not using? if so, just buy a long straight cable and use the adapter.

the way to tell the two cables apart, compare the sequence of colours in the connectors, straight cables have the sequence the same on both connectors, crossover cables have the connectors wired differently on each end.

HTH, ask if you need more info.

C

Originally posted by Peitolm
the cable is called a "crossover" cable. PC-world sell them, and the bits to make them yourself, (which imho is cheaper than trying to find a long crossover cable).

Cheaper to make your own? You recon. Just bought a 15m patch lead for £12 plus the crossover converter for £2.50. Also just bought an RJ45 crimping set at work £239. Go figure.

Netgear do a simple home networking starter kit for about £40. Comes with 2 NIC's and a switch plus 2x5m leads (might be 3m). Well easy to set up and can add more PC's into your network buy just plugging them into the switch.

rover 200boy

i meant you can either buy the crossover cable or you can by the patch lead and then use a crossover convertor, as mentioned by gpsBRM

cheaper to make your own, yeah, damm right it is, you don't need a crimper(i'd recommened them, you can get a resonable one(for home use) for around 5->10 squid from PCWorld.), you can use a screwdriver :)

Perhaps I find it easier as i have run enough wires to make it reasonable :)

I would personaly go for a broadband router (If it's broadband of course).
That way you do not need the other pc switched on to access the internet as with ICS.
These are also in built with a hardware firewall...

Plus you can add another pc with out any real messing about (Most of these routers come with dhcp anyway)
This is good for network gaming..

Roll of cable is about 30 quid (although you don't need anywhere near a full roll )
set of crimps are about 12 quid
Network cards 8-12 quid
Broadband router 40-50 quid



I found network gear in B&Q the other day :yikes:
quite cheap though..

Yeah, wireless broadband router - my next purchase...

Yeh its Broadband

How does the Router work anyone care to explain it in more detail or give me some links.

Thanks

the B&Q home network kit is great, they give you all the tools you need, and iirc its 30 quid, only downside, no crimp tool, but they give you wall boxes with a punch tool.

in basic terms

It takes information from your machine (like a website request)and "routes" it to the net.

Then it takes in net information (that you request via IE/mail/FTP etc ) and routes it to the relevent computer that made the request in the first place.
there is a hell of a lot more it can do but would take me all day to type it.....

link

www.scan.co.uk (http://www.scan.co.uk)

Have a look on there....

Its a stand-alone box with ICS on it.

It plugs into your cablemodem and it can handle 4 or more PCs plugged into it.

You make settings on it thru your web browser.

It uses standard cable called cat-5 networking cable. The square plugs on the ends are called RJ45s.

Each PC must have 1 Network card in them.


Upper: Doesnt need a PC on to do the routing for other PCs
Downer: Costly

i would'nt say that 45 quid is costly..


http://web6.scan.co.uk/Products/Info.asp?WPID=17933

Please note: This product requires a broadband modem in addition to the router. It is a Router Only - and not "Modem".

Excellent router and a piece of the preverbial to set up (I've just bought one myself). Just be wary of which router you buy as there are some out there that need a considerable amount of setting up in regards to DHCP and IP settings etc. The Linksys one basically sets itself up :)

Try this one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/electronics/B00005KAC7/reviews/202-9248457-6552638)

Oh and it's come down a tenner since I bought mine 2 months ago lol

For the more adventurous out there.

If you have an old pc (486 upwards) why not use something like smoothwall.

This is a linux based firewall, proxy, Intruder detection system and router all in one. Fantastic device.

Wow - they are getting less and less now - I was estimating about 60-70 quid for a good one (was last time i looked) - what i mean tho was its costly considering you have the equipment to do the same job already (another PC already connected).

Stu has the right idea tho - thats a proper job :E

Thanks for all that i think i'll wait til next pay day and get a router. Then i'll no doubt be posting again when i cant get it to work.:rolleyes:

Thanks All :)

Hi have a look at this link for my router.
I news it for 2 pc and my xbox for Live.
Easy to set up.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=26147

Originally posted by adamgroves
yeah its as simple as that but make sure you get the right cable, otherwise the information will only be able to travel one way through the cable, cant remember what its called just ask when you buy it

Crossover cable. Could just chop the end of the normal cable and rewire it

Originally posted by Initialised
Crossover cable. Could just chop the end of the normal cable and rewire it

A cross over cable will be about £3 for a 1 metre one.