New Sm. Office - Wireless Network

[Brangwen]

Fellow Members:

I have just opened a new office and my task is to install a wireless network connecting the following components:

- 2 computers (they are 6 feet apart but separated by a 5 inch wall); the host computer is running Windows 2000 Professional, the second computer is running Windows 98 Second Edition.

- I require the two computers to share a DSL signal, files (access one another) and to share 1 HP LaserJet printer and 1 Epson color printer.

- I have a 2.4GHz (necessary) cordless telephone on my desk.

I use Linksys products at home and I have been very satisfied with the product line. I went to the Linksys configurator for "Small Office Network Builder" and the following products were recommended:

(1) Wireless USB Adapter - USB100TX (for the host computer)
(2) Instant Wireless PCI Card - WMP11 (for the second computer)
(3) Wireless Access Point Router - BEFW11S4

Will this list of components meet my needs? Is anything else required?

I appreciate your assistance very much. I have not used wireless network technology before and I only share a (wired) DSL signal in my house.

Thanks!

Brangwen

[bailey]

I would not recommend useing a usb adapter at all
use a wireless nic instead.

usb has been known to have problems at times

[washe]

I havent heard of good reviews about the usb wireless stuff..... I would prefer wireless NIC on both machines.

For sharing the dsl line and printers, Ill say instead of the access point (unless im incorrect and it can create its own set of ip addresses) use a wireless broadband router, that way you configure the router to use the dsl connection.... the other way you will have need to have on the computer that will handle the internet connection.

http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...id=35&prid=537

Im not very deep on this but maybe you will need to use A standar because you have a needed 2.4GHZ phone that will kill your B-G performance every time the phone is being used...... other member will know more on this issue...

Hope it helps...

[M_Six]

I wouldn't recommend wireless for a business at all, but if you are ok with the security issues, then I'd recommend a wireless bridge or PCI card. I agree with bailey, skip the USB adapter. They're troublesome.

My wife's PC here at home is on a wireless bridge and it's been hands-off, trouble-free for over a year. Plus you can add a hub to it and hook up more PCs using the same bridge.

Wireless bridge

[Brangwen]

Fellow Members:

Thx so far for your great responses! Ok, let's assume that I skip wireless because of the potential or for sure concerns with 2.4Ghz interference and security, as it is a law office.

Given the above, how about a cabled Linksys ethernet card on each computer? How can I best configure the network so both computers can share DSL, files and 2 printers (one is color, one is Laser BW)? My confusion is which router to use and/or how to configure the cabling . . . My wife is a pro at running cable and crimping on RJ45s, though I know there are "self-crimping" connectors out there.

I've always been confused about the wiring. Is it a cable from the modem to the router then from the router ports to each NIC(computer) like any DSL sharing setup?

How do I accomplish file & printer sharing? That's always been my area of confusion!



Thx!

Brangwen

[washe]

dont worry Bramgwen..... TIMO to the rescue!!!!!

You will need the following:

1 Broadband router (http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...id=29&prid=142)
2 NIC Cards
2 CAT5 Cables

You will connect the dsl modem cable to the router on the WAN/Internet Port.......

Each CAT5 cable going from the pc's to the back of the router usually port 1 and 2 in your case.

Turn on your DSL Modem, then the router, turn on any pc....

Check the documentation for how to connect to the router usually linksys on a browser you type:

http://192.168.1.1 that will bring up a window asking for login and password (check your doc for that info, after you finished the configuration is strongly recommended that you change that factory default login to one of your own)

on the first page look for connection type chose dsl and it will ask for login and password information (its the same you use when you connect to your isp)....

Ok now if all was done correctly both computers will have internet.... now to share documents and printers.......

On the windows 2000 machine you will need to go to newtork and add the file and printing sharing service...... same applies to windows 98.......

Pick or make a folder where the shared information will be stored, right click and there will be an option "sharing" click on it and set the options as you need... will be the same procedure for both machines....

For printers they are two approaches, some printers have a LAN port where you can use a CAT5 cable and connect it to the router, they will pick an ip address, and you will only need to add a printer like the normal procedure but you will choose Network Printer, and it will ask for the network path click browse and look for it...... and some will require that you install some software first to add them...

The other approach is the each printer is connected to a different computer, and you will again choose newtork printer but they will be under the computer name and they will require the drivers disk if windows doesnt have the right driver...


If you have the models of the printers maybe I can give you a more detailed procedure.....


Have fun!!!

[Brangwen]

washe:

Wow! Terrific explanation. I'll give it a go after I pick up the components, cable and so on!

I appreciate your help very much!

Thx.

Brangwen

[bailey]

you could also get a printer server that will allow you to connect several printers to the lan, and then every system on the lan can use which ever printer thay want.

or you can get a small print server that will connect to the printer port and then the lan cable will connect to it, that would be better if the printers are not in the same location or room.

I have 3 printers connected that way on my lan.

[Brangwen]

Originally posted by bailey
you could also get a printer server that will allow you to connect several printers to the lan, and then every system on the lan can use which ever printer thay want.

or you can get a small print server that will connect to the printer port and then the lan cable will connect to it, that would be better if the printers are not in the same location or room.

I have 3 printers connected that way on my lan.

bailey: I have a USB color and a HP Laser LPt interface. Is there an advantage to your method over washe's solution regarding the printers? I'd want both computers to utilize both printers.

By your second method, i.e. ". . . get a small print server that will connect to the printer port and then the lan cable will connect to it." Could you explain this in a bit more detail? I'm also looking for simplicity & additional convenience if there's any to be found . . .

Thx very much!

Brangwen

[bailey]

ok a small print serve connects to the d-connector on the back of the printer, you then run a cat-5 cable from the print server to the router switch connector, thes print servers are also avaible for usb printers.
its just a matter of using the ip address of the printers on each computer and setting it up to print to the lan printer of your choice.
I like this method over the other one as the printers can be located anywhere withen 90 meters of the router/switch.

with the other type of print server all the printer has to be in the same location to connect to the server and then a cat-5 cable would be run to the router/switch.
its just a matter of choice how you want the printers lacated.
eather method would be fine.
the bottom line is that you do use the router/switch for the lan set-up wired with cat-5 cable, you will have the best security that way