Stuff needed to create a network.

Altema · Post by **Altema** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 12:42 pm

I kinda need an explination of what are the things i need to make a network.

Such as

Router? Hubs? Cards?

If i have a 10/100 network card in my computers...do i have to buy the network cards to go along with the Router or hub?

If not, t hen do all i do is buy either a hub or router and hook the cables and such?

Thanks alot for the help. ^^

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 1:47 pm

it depends....

do you just want to share files or
share files and your Cable/DSL Connection...

if it is the latter then you will need 2 NICs (you said you already have them)
A router (is not require but it is the preffered method for sharing files and internet access)
and of course some CAT5 cables

Altema · Post by **Altema** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 1:52 pm

I think im steering towards sharing the Cable connection.

So i guess those are all the things i need.

If i need to share files, then i would need to buy the network cards that accompany the router?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 1:55 pm

Well, if you have network cards in your computers already, you're all set. Networking is built in standards, so wether you're using a hub, switch, or router, just about all network cards will work. There are some rare exceptions, but we don't need to go into that, as most network cards, and hubs/switches/routers are all autosensing as far as the speed goes. 100Base-T/Duplex is the norm these days. Cables these days are normally CAT5E, CAT5 is still around, but pretty much being phased out. CAT6 has been shipping too. But for a 100Base network, plain old CAT5 is all you need...5e and 6 is technically capable of faster speeds...but for a 100Base home network, you can consider it overkill, but 5E doesn't cost much more anyways.

Now, if you need a hub, switch, or router, that depends on what you want to do. Technically, if you only have two computers, you don't even need a hub or a switch, you can use a "crossover cable"..go from network card to network card (NIC to NIC). But in you have three or more, you need a hub or a switch.

Hubs and switches are used for the same thing...to connect computers into a local area network. If you wish to network two or more computers...you use a hub or a switch. Hubs are pretty much extinct, no longer used...old..."has beens". They are just "dumb repeaters". Switches have come down in price, they used to be high price for huge demanding networks, now they're down in the entry level hardware...basically does the same job as a hub, but in a better, faster fashion. Again, used to connect computers into a local area network.

Routers are used to connect one network to another, historically and in corporate environments, they are used to connect several networks together in a wide area network...such as a companies New York office to their San Francisco office, etc. But with the explosion of broadband (Cable/DSL), the term "router" has become almost a household term....one device that gets your home or small office network to the internet. Which is still a router function..connecting one network (your home LAN) to another network (the internet). These home market routers are really more like hybrid devices....they have a router, but also usually have a built in 4 port 10/100 switch...so they are two devices in one. As most routers you see in the commercial world only have a single port for the LAN side, which is uplinked into one of their many switches. Routers come available to support many methods of connecting to the internet. There are dial up routers (LAN modems), which have a modem or two or three built into them, also you have routers for broadband (Cable/DSL), and routers for other connection types such as ISDN, and pure ethernet (used on T-1's, etc).

Next, you need to configure your software (operating system).

A good source...http://www.wown.com/

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 2:03 pm

Originally posted by Banzaiiboi
If i need to share files, then i would need to buy the network cards that accompany the router?

no
you said you already had a 10/100 Network card in your comps..

Altema · Post by **Altema** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 2:35 pm

Thank you very much Bala and YeOldeStoneCat. Ive never dealt with networking so im trying to figure out as much as i can. (So later i could help my friends if they decide to network)

Q: The Crossover Cables, those are just used to link the computers and nothing more right? (ie. doenst share internet connections)

Q: In my case (only two computers) i should go with a hub/switch ?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 3:02 pm

Originally posted by Banzaiiboi
Q: The Crossover Cables, those are just used to link the computers and nothing more right? (ie. doenst share internet connections)

Q: In my case (only two computers) i should go with a hub/switch ?

Crossovercable, well, you can use them in almost any situation if you want to, but to keep it simple, 95% of the time, you will use standard straight cables. Meaning, there are some setups were you can use Windows ICS, one computer as two NICs, one of the broadband modem, another going to your LAN...usually a hub or switch to connect to more than 1 other computer, but technically you could use a crossover cable to connect to directly the other computer in your LAN.

But...to keep it simple......I see you wish to share a cable connection.

Solution? I prefer a good hardware router over any software means of sharing the connection.

So....

1x Broadband modem...ethernet, connected with a standard patch cable to the WAN port of...
1x Broadband router...which has a built in 4 port 10/100 switch which you can use two standard patch cables to connect to your two computers, lets the share the internet, as well as network to each other.

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 3:02 pm

Crossover cables are for connecting Hubs/Switches with no uplink ports, or you can use them for connecting PC2PC

In your case if your planning on sharing the internet I recommend getting a router...

but if you don't want share the internet or don't want to buy a router..a hub will do fine although switches are better (you only have 2 PCs though)

Altema · Post by **Altema** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 3:15 pm

Okay all my questions were answered

Thank you very much BaLa and YeOldeStoneCat

barneybenbarker · Post by **barneybenbarker** » Fri May 02, 2003 4:40 am

I just wanted to jump in here. I just started networking with two computers in my office, they connected with a crossover cable. It just uses Net BEUI protocol, client for microsoft networks, and file printer sharing microsoft networks. It took me a week and I just got it going, it's been long week getting it set up, but it works good. It at least does what I want it to do.

Now I want to share a cable broadband connection with my buisness partner. we are going to split the cost of the broad band equally. He in the next room so running cables is simple.

What would be the best/easiest way for us to share the cable modem.

I would like to keep my network intact with both of my computers being able to use the internet

and

at the same time be separate from his computer.

Is it possible to share a cable modem in this manner,

as like,

seperate users, where he has his computer and I have my computer (which is two computers networked together).

and still share/use the same modem.

The cable company is Comcast.

thanks any help will be a joy...

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri May 02, 2003 4:50 am

I recommend a router again.

Keeping the network separate can be done in several ways, it depends on how separate you wish them to be, and what you have for operating systems.

If you have Win2k/XP, who cares if you're on the same network...don't give him an account on your computer, and he won't be able to access it in Network Places. Who cares if he can see it, he doesn't have access to the shares if setup properly.

Make them in different workgroups so he has a harder time even finding your computer in network places.

Or...most secure...get two routers. One connects to the cable modem on the WAN side, and his computer on the LAN side. Also on the LAN side....a cable to the WAN port of a second router. This second router is for your two computers to plug into on the LAN side. It will hide your networks from each other with it's NAT firewall.

Lightstream · Post by **Lightstream** » Fri May 02, 2003 4:59 am

routers and switches and RJ-45.

barneybenbarker · Post by **barneybenbarker** » Fri May 02, 2003 5:34 am

I'm using w2ksp3.

Thanks

the two router plan feels better to me. because Iam still so new at networking I'm having a hard time keeping the two computers on my network staight. So I think it's probalbly better for me at this time to do the two router thing.

Let me see if I understand this:

two routers #1 and #2.

I hook my computers into router #1 and set up my network.

then

I hook the wan side of router #1, into the lan side of router #2 along with his computer.

so now we are both hooked into the lan side of router #2

Then we just hook router #2' s wan side into the cable modem

Is that correct.

Should I do it in that order?

I'm sorry man I sound like an idiot, trying to learn this and it gets confusing

Just to save me some time tell me what routers to buy anything under $80 something easy to set for this situation.

Thanks

as a side note I got started a year or so ago playing around with computers then decided to learn how to build them and I've built alot of them but there always something more to learn. and I got tell you It's been a very addicting hobby as soon as you get something working right. Then it's time to start again. Now networking, four days ago I didn't even know what it was. Now It looks like I'll be doing this for awhile...

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri May 02, 2003 5:50 am

You are correct...and after reading your review of it, I realize I need to refill my cup of coffee...because I forgot one important part.

You will need to reassign the default IP scheme of one of the routers...does not matter which one. Example...you buy two routers of the same brand, I'll use Linksys for an example. Linksys comes with a 192.168.1.XXX scheme. You don't want both routers running 192.168.1.XXX. One of them, doesn't matter which one....you must log onto the web admin, and change it's IP to a different scope...say 192.168.0.1 instead of the default 192.168.1.1. Then apply your change...and reboot your computer because your computer will still be on the old IP address. Upon reboot, you'll have picked up the correct new IP and you'll be able to see that router again.

Cable modem
Outside router, with LAN IP of 192.168.0.1
His computer Inside router with LAN IP of 192.168.1.1...with your computers connected to the LAN side of it.

barneybenbarker · Post by **barneybenbarker** » Fri May 02, 2003 6:21 am

you must log onto the web admin

whose that guy?

haha

what does that mean is there a web site I need to go to, or will this be local between my computer and the router.

also

"Cable modem
Outside router, with LAN IP of 192.168.0.1
His computer Inside router with LAN IP of 192.168.1.1...with your computers connected to the LAN side of it."

let's see if I have this straight.

two routers #1 and #2 there the same model. Change the IP scheme of one of the routers.

OK

I'm going to change the IP scheme of router #1 to 192.168.0.1

Then I'm going to set up my network on router #1 with my two computers connected to the LAN side of it and make sure everthing is working properly.

Then

I hook the WAN side of router #1 into the LAN side of router #2 along with his computer.

So now we are both connected to the LAN side of router #2 which will have the defalt IP of 192.168.1.1

Then I hook the WAN side of router #2 into the cable modem

Is that right?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri May 02, 2003 6:34 am

You've got it. Web Admin...that's the control panel of the router, you log onto it with your web browser.

Gotta fly, gone for 3 days, but if any more questions, someone else here should be able to pickup any more for you. Dunno if I'll have internet access where I'm at..but I'll be back Monday AM.

-Cat

barneybenbarker · Post by **barneybenbarker** » Fri May 02, 2003 6:38 am

thanks for all your time, patience and helpful info I'm much obliged. Have a great weekend

all the best
bbb

barneybenbarker · Post by **barneybenbarker** » Sat May 03, 2003 9:25 pm

I got a Linksys 5 port workgroup switch, I'll use this to setup my network (two computers).

And

I got a Linsksys Broadband Router.

I'll plug the uplink port from the my switch,

to the LAN side of the router, along with his computer.

and I'll plug the WAN side of the Router to the modem.

Will this work?

I'm assuming a switch will work in this configuration. I got it because it was cheaper than getting two routers.

Do you think I'll have to reasign the IP scheme of the switch? As it's the same brand as the Router.

barneybenbarker · Post by **barneybenbarker** » Sun May 04, 2003 9:10 pm

WOW!!!!!!!!

Broadband is wicked fast. It's Absoloutly unbeleiveable.....

I got it to work. I returned the switch, and got a router per your instructions.

I had a problem for a while because I didn't reboot after changeing the IP Scope of router #1. So I started again following your instuctions to the T. and now it works perfectly. Thank you you guys perform a great service here keep it up all the best.

bbb

A file that took me 20 minutes to download now takes 30 secs. I have been etching in stone for the last 6 years. wow.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon May 05, 2003 7:45 am

Originally posted by barneybenbarker
WOW!!!!!!!!

Broadband is wicked fast. It's Absoloutly unbeleiveable.....

I got it to work. I returned the switch, and got a router per your instructions.

I had a problem for a while because I didn't reboot after changeing the IP Scope of router #1. So I started again following your instuctions to the T. and now it works perfectly. Thank you you guys perform a great service here keep it up all the best.

bbb

A file that took me 20 minutes to download now takes 30 secs. I have been etching in stone for the last 6 years. wow.

Good to hear it's working well for you, glad to help.