Network again

[THORNOGSON]

thanks to you guys, some time ago I got my lap top networked wireless to the main PC. Unfortunately due to the many brick walls in the way (some were outside walls at one time) the signal strength was too low and I could not keep it working.
My intention is to link them via a network cable, can I do this at a distance of 15 metres and do I need to change the network cards in the PC's?
I will be using a BT voyager broadband modem router which does have a LAN socket on it.
Any help appreciated.
Graham.

[plotloss]

15m is well within the limits of Ethernet.

You will need a standard CAT 5 NIC on each machine so this will be a PCI card in the PC and probably either a built in port or a PCMCIA card in the laptop.

[BliarOut]

You will need to use a crossover cable if you go NIC to NIC. Ignore me if you use a hub or switch

[catretriever]

BliarOut said:

You will need to use a crossover cable if you go NIC,NIC.

You're not Jim Davidson are you?

[JamieBeeston]

BliarOut said:

You will need to use a crossover cable if you go NIC to NIC. Ignore me if you use a hub or switch

Unless one of the devices is a Mac

But then there really is no hope ;P

[THORNOGSON]

Still a bit confused guys, what's all this nic, nic?
I have a choice of two modems. One is a standard adsl modem and one is a wireless modem router with a LAN socket on it.
What is the easy route to take, bearing in mind both machines have wireless cards in them, do I use the standard modem and run the cable between PC's and change both cards or will the cards suffice?
Or do I run a cable between the router and the other PC? (do I have to change the card in that PC?)
Words of one syllable pleas for a thickie!

[BliarOut]

NIC=Network interface card.

If you are ditching the wireless, then you will need a hub/switch and three cat5 cables.

Plug one cable into the ADSL router's LAN port and one into each network card in the PC.

With a bit of luck, the ADSL box is a DHCP server and your machines will connect. If not, you will need to configure IP, but worry about that once you get the physical connectivity sorted.

What make/model is this ADSL thingy of which you talk?

[THORNOGSON]

I have a BT ADSL speedtouch modem and a BT voyager modem router.

[BliarOut]

Which model Voyager?

It looks like the ones that support wireless all have at least 4 LAN ports, so you shouldn't need a switch/hub.

[THORNOGSON]

BT voyager 2000, only one LAN port.
I also possess a netgear fast ethernet switch FS105, can I use this although the instructions show it connected to a server.

[BliarOut]

The switch should connect to any device using a straight RJ 45 cable(for the purpose of this advice). The only exception is that if you don't get a link light on the router LAN port, then it will need a crossover cable. Unfortunately I don't have the spec on the BT router available.

So, connect your computers network card via an RJ45 cable to your switch and in theory, away you go.

In simple terms, think of the switch as a roundabout and you shouldn't go far wrong. Once you have your physical connectivity sussed, report back.

HTH.

[THORNOGSON]

OK, I have ADSL modem connected to PC via USB.
I have cable from LAN socket on PC to swith port 1 (green light on)
Cable from switch to LAN socket on Lap top (socket 2 green light on)

icon on bottom task bar shows yellow exclamation mark 100mbps limited or no connectivity
what next? do I have to swap the "wireless cards"
thanks,
Graham.

[Graham]

Ok if i have you correct this is the way you need to connect things up



1) connect adsl modem router to adsl line
2) connect adsl router to switch via rj45 patch lead
3) connect pc to switch with rj45 patch lead
4) connect lap top to switch with rj45 lap top

turn switch on, turn adsl modem/router on wait for all the connection lights to come on then turn on either or both of the pc's and see if you can connect to the internet.

thats the way i would connect them up. the way you have it is trying to use internet sharing via the pc which is nasty...

non of the pc's should be directly connected to the modem/router all the devices should be connected via the switch...

any help

G

[THORNOGSON]

Thanks Graham, not just a good racer either.

[THORNOGSON]

Hi Graham,
I connected the laptop and the modem router to the switch as you suggested using short patch leads. This worked fine and connected to the internet ok. I then ran out a 15 metre lead to the main PC at the other end of the bungalow. The green light was on at the switch, but I could not connect to the internet.

This main PC is connected to the internet using a BT speedtouch modem with USB connection to the PC. I had this disconnected whilst trying the network cable (both at the PC and the modem) but I just got the same connection dialogue box coming up unable to connect, no dial tone.

I seem to be a lot nearer with your clear instructions, but can you lead me by the hand as what to do next?
Cheers,
G.

[Graham]

ok your pc is still trying to connect via the usb speed touch modem not the router.

provided you have the software and instructions to put this back on i would suggest the following.


look at the properties for internet explorer and remove any connection shown in there, you want to connect via the lan.

with the usb modem disconnected re-boot and try again.

if you still have problems i'll mail you my tel number

G

[malman]

sounds like internet explorer set to dial default conection (usb speedtouch still uses dialup networking).

go to tools menu then select connections tab then click on "never dial a connection" and click ok

close explorer and re open, if all is well you're away

[THORNOGSON]

Thanks everyone for your help. Finally got a hilti bit to get through the wall and got properly cabled up. All appears to be working ok, but when I came to connect to the internet on the remote PC a dialogue box said this network is configured for open access and information may be visible to others. Does this mean between one room and the next or am I at risk?
Thanks again.

[THORNOGSON]

Someone please tell me I am safe, I have also read somewhere that a firewll does not work with a LAN connection ?

[chrisjl]

THORNOGSON said:

...when I came to connect to the internet on the remote PC a dialogue box said this network is configured for open access and information may be visible to others. Does this mean between one room and the next or am I at risk?

You've now got wires all the way from the ADSL router to the 'remote PC'? If so, nothing to worry about. The very presence of the router means that none of your PCs are 'visible' from the public internet.