Question for the IT bods....
Discussion
Just had a new PC installed at home and I want to move the machine it replaced upstairs. No problem there (even at my advanced stage of senility, I can remember how to get to the upper floor of my domicile), but I also want to connect this old computer to my broadband modem, i.e. have both machines sharing the same modem/broadband line.
Is this possible and what's the best way to do it without going wireless?
I have the new machine attached to the modem with an RJ45 ethernet cable, leaving a USB connection available on the back of the modem. It's possible for me to make a path for a cable up through the ceiling and through to the PC upstairs, but is there some limitation with cable lengths?
Any and all advice welcomed.
Is this possible and what's the best way to do it without going wireless?
I have the new machine attached to the modem with an RJ45 ethernet cable, leaving a USB connection available on the back of the modem. It's possible for me to make a path for a cable up through the ceiling and through to the PC upstairs, but is there some limitation with cable lengths?
Any and all advice welcomed.
Don'r know for sure, but there are several problems with what you suggest.
1. I'm guessing that the BB modem will work as RJ45 or USB but not both at the same time.
2. Yes - far too far to run a USB cable, unless you put a powered USB hub in the link every so often!
3. What you really want is a small hub: Connect the BB modem to the hub via ethernet and also both PCs directly to the hub via ethernet.
4. Alternatively, put a 2nd network card in your "upstairs" PC and connect the other PC directly to it via ethernet and set up internet connection sharing on the 1st PC.
Personally, I think (4) is a lot of hassle and requires that you leave the upstairs PC on if you want internet access on the other one.
(3) is the way to go, but whilst you're at it, why not get a wireless hub rather than a wired one? Would make life much easier in the long run...
1. I'm guessing that the BB modem will work as RJ45 or USB but not both at the same time.
2. Yes - far too far to run a USB cable, unless you put a powered USB hub in the link every so often!
3. What you really want is a small hub: Connect the BB modem to the hub via ethernet and also both PCs directly to the hub via ethernet.
4. Alternatively, put a 2nd network card in your "upstairs" PC and connect the other PC directly to it via ethernet and set up internet connection sharing on the 1st PC.
Personally, I think (4) is a lot of hassle and requires that you leave the upstairs PC on if you want internet access on the other one.
(3) is the way to go, but whilst you're at it, why not get a wireless hub rather than a wired one? Would make life much easier in the long run...
If you're going to run a cable, run ethernet cable and not USB. Then just get a cheap broadband modem/router/switch off eBay, ditch your current ADSL modem and plug the network cards of both machines into the modem/router/switch. Some of these even have wireless built in, in which case you could save yourself the effort of running the cable upstairs and put a wireless network card in the upstairs PC instead.
Total cost? Under £50 for a wireless setup I reckon.
Edit: And you get the added advantage of being able to share files and peripherals between machines as well.
>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 15th February 10:10
Total cost? Under £50 for a wireless setup I reckon.
Edit: And you get the added advantage of being able to share files and peripherals between machines as well.
>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 15th February 10:10
Cheapest way is to put two network cards in one PC, run the cable modem in one and a crossover cable out of the other. Connect the other end of the cable to the other PC. Run internet connection sharing wizard.
Easiest way, get a wireless router and two wlan cards. If you are on cable you will need to reprovision your cable modem as these are locked to the hardware address of whatever network device they are plugged into.
Best way is to get an old PC, at least 500mhz or so. Put two lan cards in it. Plug the BB modem in one, a 5 port ethernet switch in the other and install linux on the PC. Put a firewall/router script on there and plug all other PCs into the switch. Kick the linux box into a corner turned on and forget about it.
Easiest way, get a wireless router and two wlan cards. If you are on cable you will need to reprovision your cable modem as these are locked to the hardware address of whatever network device they are plugged into.
Best way is to get an old PC, at least 500mhz or so. Put two lan cards in it. Plug the BB modem in one, a 5 port ethernet switch in the other and install linux on the PC. Put a firewall/router script on there and plug all other PCs into the switch. Kick the linux box into a corner turned on and forget about it.
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