Setting up a wifi network.

[hucsman]

I have been reading a lot of threads in here, but it appears that no one has the same problem as I do. First of all, I must warn you that I know squat about wireless (and networks and stuff), so please respond as to explaining to a technology primate. I wan to know what I have to do to put a wireless (wifi) network in my house, e.g. what do I need to buy. Right now I have a cable modem, and a thing that says "5 port dual speed hub" that connects my computers upstairs and downstairs, both running on windows XP. One last thing, if I try to plug a third computer to the hub thingie, I get a message from my ISP in IE that says that I have reached the maximum number of computers approved (paid) and that I have to choose only two out of the three (have to disable internet access for one of them). Will that be a problem with a wifi handheld?

Thanks.

[n2ifp]

Interesting, I am curious as to who your provider is? Normally, most just hang a router with a wireless Access Point between the cable modem and PC. We don't bother to tell the cable company, because they want to sell us extra stuff like additional IP addresses at $10.00 each. Sounds like your cable modem has a built-in router where your ISP can monitor it's ports. I am not sure whether adding an additional router can get around that or not. Your right, you are the first one to post about this particular setup. I can't say for sure that adding a second router with wireless access could be detected or not. One other way could be to add a Wireless Access Point to one of the PC's. Unfortunately, then you would have to leave one PC running all the time. I wouldn't buy anything unless you were sure you could take it back. If no one else here has an answer, maybe it's best to talk to some local people around you, or go to a local Radio Shack, Electronics store, TV Repair shop and ask those people.

[Orincarnia]

or you could just get a linksys router for 100 bucks, if you can return the one you have do it, cause if the cable company can monitor your computers......who knows what else they can do, they shouldn't be able to, (thats my opinion), so the router with the 2 antennas on it, that'd be good cause linksys is pretty trustable and easy to use. otherwise maybe a second router would work, or another hub at least, split one into 2 on a hub, or into 6 or 7. if you really want a wirless network just lok for a wireless router, set that up and you got one, (but watch out for wireless pirates like my sunday school teacher, yeah he surfs the internet off other peoples wireless) but there are people that use it to hack (thats why i don't have a wireless network, my dad knows all the bads about wireless and none of the goods)

[hucsman]

Thanks for the info guys! But remeber, TECHONOLOGY PRIMATE, so I didn't really get a lot...I live in Mexico so I don´t think you would know my ISP. I think that what's shown in the computer is something related with the IP for that computer (or internet card or something). Could you please try going more simple on what I should do, please? BTW, what's the difference between a hub and a router?

[hucsman]

Oh, one more thing, what's a wireless access point?

[Orincarnia]

uhhhh.....i dont know exactly what the difference between a hub and a router is except that a router is smarter than a hub......i think

a wireless access point would be similar to if you take an cord with 2 plugs (one at each end) and cut the cord out so you just have the plugs, those plugs would be one end is your device the other end is the router, basically no wire but can still communicate. if you go to best buy or circuit city they can explain it easily.

[hucsman]

Ok, so, what should I setup if I buy this thing?:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007KDVI/002-2561741-0803231?v=glance

[Misha]

Hi there
You can go to any computer store and buy any wireless router (I would advise to buy Linksys, e.g. http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=282388&pfp=BROWSE). Also, you will need to buy Instant Wireless™ PCI Network Card, 802.11b for each computer you want to have in the wireless network. You can connect the wireless router to one computer using a wire, so you don't need to buy an extra card. (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=292350&pfp=BROWSE)
When you have all this equipment, just plug you cable modem into the wireless router and install all cards into computer and that's it. :)

[n2ifp]

If he has a wired network now, he doesn't have to go wireless for them, if he doesn't want to. Only any additional PC's or Clie's.

There is so much info on the net regarding WiFi. Many sites like Linksys have simple tutorials on networking.

[hucsman]

Yeah, but most of them use those three letter abbreviations that I can't understand :( . Thanks guys, I think I know a little more now; it seems simpler, thought it was going to be hell. Just one more question. If I buy the wireless access point, can I use it with three+ machines (wireless capable ones, that is)? Oh about that hub vs. router thing... anyone? Thanks everyone :)

[Andyvan]

Hubs are just basically repeaters. Any packet that comes in from one connection (port) is just repeated out all of the other connections. This wastes bandwidth, but is very cheap and needs no configuration. They just work.

Switches are "smart" hubs. They know what machines are connected to each connection. That way, when a packet comes in on one connection, it's only forwarded to the connection that leads to the machine the packet is destined for. This means that the switch must inspect every packet as it comes in, decode the destination address, and then forward it to the correct port. This means that switches have processors in them.

Routers "route" packets between two networks. It's like a switch in that the packet is only forwarded to the correct connection, but it also allows connecting two different networks.

What you want whenever you connect a home network to the Internet (via a cable modem, for example) is a router. The Internet is one network, and your home network is also a network. You'd like them to not get mixed together.

This has several advantages:

1) You can connect several PCs through one connection (share), without having to leave a PC on.

2) The router will provide a measure of protection from nasties on the Internet. The only device easily visible from the Internet side is your router.

3) Traffic from one of your machine to another of your machines will not be visible outside your network. It will stay within your local network. This is a major feature of routers.


In your case, I would suggest you replace your current hub with the Linksys device you asked about. The cable modem will plug into the "WAN" port, and your other machines will plug into the LAN ports, instead of into your current hub.

FYI: You can "daisy-chain" switches together if you need more than the four connections that the Linksys device provides. You can even use your current hub if necessary.

The only tricky thing might be that the location of your current hub might turn out to be a poor location for a wireless access point. You might end up with "dead" spots in your house if this new Linksys device ended up not being centrally location.

I believe that this will solve your problem, and your ISP will not have any way of knowing you have multiple computers attached.

-- Andyvan

[JeayJ]

In a nutshell. your hub needs a separate "internet address" for each unit attached to it. Some ISP's give you 2,3 or even 4.

A router needs only one "internet address" and creates sub addresses for your in-house network that you create.

It's sort of like a company that has a mailing address that all mail is sent to. once the mail arrives a secretary (the router) separates all the mail and puts into cubbys for each employee.

[Orincarnia]

how can i get a road runner address under my dad, he has an address, but i'm stuck with hotmail, my friend has his own address but i don't how do i get one?

[n2ifp]

Mike,

Does your dad have a roadrunner address and do you have access to roadrunner service? If he does and you do, it's a simple matter to add an email account for free. Providing not all of them are used up. My cable company allows up to 5 email accounts.

I can run as many as 10 devices, computers and Clies on my network, either wire or wireless.

[hucsman]

Hey, thanks a lot everyone! This REALLY helped. Not only did you answer my wireless question, but you also taught me how to get my ISP out of my network (where they shouldn't be, anyways). Only problem now is where to put the router, but that is not a big issue and should be worked easily :) .

[Orincarnia]

sweet, i love helping people out, oh yeah my dad has the whole thing setup, but he just has no idea how to add another address, i'd just like whatever program i need or instructions i need to make another e-mail address, or do i need to contact time warner?

[n2ifp]

Well, with both my ISP's, all I need to do is visit their web page and add a new additional login and password. In most cases it's actually very simple. Of course you will need to setup the new addresses in each PC type device to use the new account.

If not then call your ISP.