Networking 3 computers?

[Flato]

Ok me and my friends are moving off campus next year and we each have a computer. Anyways were gonna get a cable modem and im wondering if we can and what we need to network all theree of these computers? Any help would be nice thanks

[ragtop]

Pretty simple - you need a router to connect to the cable modem, and a network card for each computer. Hard wired (ethernet) is cheapest and most reliable, if you are able to string the wires between each computer & the router. Otherwise go with a wireless 802.11b or 802.11g router & network cards. (802.11b is cheaper, but 802.11g is faster)

[Flato]

So basicaly i buy one router which hooks up to the cable modem then there are plugs in the back of the router which i hook up to each computer assuming i go wired? Sounds pretty easy if thats all it is. Thanks alot!

[Mickwish]

Pretty nice summation by Ragtop, there.

Depending on your physical situation will depend on whether wired or wirelss would be more practical. For instance, if all PC's are to be in the same room, then wired is easy and fine - just get a router, NIC's for each PC and some patch cables. But if you are in a rented apartment or something, and all PC are in different rooms, running cables between rooms could be messy / dangerous; then wireless would be the way to go. You'd need a wireless router and wireless NIC's for each PC.

Need any more help, just ask - someone here will know!

Cheers
Mick


Oh, and Welcome to TechIMO!!

[Flato]

Stupid question but i have to ask what is NIC. Thanks

[bailey]

network interface card , used to connect to eathernet with cat-5 cabel, being the most popular,
make sure that the router is a wireless of has a built in switch.

if useing the wireless method, you will need to buy a wireless network card for each computer,
I would recommend the wired method because most computers already have a network card built into them.

[Mickwish]

My bad.

That'll teach me to use acronyms.

Sorry.

Cheers
Mick

[DCJAZZ]

all you need is a dsl router and link them up, it's the same as using a regular hub but it's designed to handle your internet connection as well. most of them even have a built in firewall to protect your pc's. check out linksys dsl routers on the web. i'll be running 3 pc's and one of them has a dual lan for 100/1000 connection speed so that should go well with the other 2 1000 T ethernet cards. good luck !!!

[bailey]

Originally posted by DCJAZZ
all you need is a dsl router and link them up, it's the same as using a regular hub but it's designed to handle your internet connection as well. most of them even have a built in firewall to protect your pc's. check out linksys dsl routers on the web. i'll be running 3 pc's and one of them has a dual lan for 100/1000 connection speed so that should go well with the other 2 1000 T ethernet cards. good luck !!!

?? with a cable modem

[demon_wolf]

If the comps are all going to be in the same room....then its easy.

Get your cable modem, a hub or switch, and a NIC card for each comp.....thats assuming you dont already have a NIC card on your motherboard.

Depending on which modem you get.....it may have a built in router with firewall....thats the best option.

hope this helps.