EricB
09-15-2003, 09:20 AM
This is a general reference on a peer-to-peer wireless network connection. Meaning, sharing 1 internet connection over multiple pc’s or laptops without purchasing a router or access point. (note: you can have multiple pc’s connected at the same time whenever the base station is turned on)
The greatest advantage of a peer-to-peer network is the cost price. Especially if you have a pc and a laptop with a build in wireless network card.
The main disadvantage of the peer-to-peer network is, that the pc with the internet connection should be turned on, whenever you want to use internet on one of the clients.
What you need?
1 pc with an internet connection and a wireless pci card.
1 or more pc(s) or laptop(s) with a wireless network card.
There’s even a cheaper solutions, namely a cross over cable connection. You won’t need the wireless cards, but simple Ethernet cards will do the job.
How to get it to work?
The best and most simple application to share the internet connection is, Internet Connection Sharing, from Microsoft. This program is integrated from Windows 98 Second edition and onwards. For a complete setup of ICS, check out, http://practicallynetworked.com/sharing/ The basic behind ICS is the fact that the host computer (the one with the internet connection) uses the ip# 192.168.0.1. If not, ICS won't work. So if the host has an other preassigned ip, you'll need to change it. Furthermore, the guide will give you the option between fixed and dynamic ip's. Especially for troubleshooting, I find fixed ip's very helpfull.
Which standard?
The latest and very much available standard is the, 802.11g. Which allow you to have a network connection speed up to 54mbps. While the previous standard, 802.11b will only allow a speed up to 11mbps. For most internet connections, 11mbps is more than enough. (most isp’s don’t offer 11mbps at a reasonable price)
There are though, a couple of advantages on the g-standard. First of all, the have a greater speed and are thus very convenient for large file and printer sharing. Secondly, the g-standard is less vulnerable for interference with other appliances, such as remote controls, dect phones, microwaves etc.
For a complete checklist on setting up file and printer sharing, check out http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=833
The greatest advantage of a peer-to-peer network is the cost price. Especially if you have a pc and a laptop with a build in wireless network card.
The main disadvantage of the peer-to-peer network is, that the pc with the internet connection should be turned on, whenever you want to use internet on one of the clients.
What you need?
1 pc with an internet connection and a wireless pci card.
1 or more pc(s) or laptop(s) with a wireless network card.
There’s even a cheaper solutions, namely a cross over cable connection. You won’t need the wireless cards, but simple Ethernet cards will do the job.
How to get it to work?
The best and most simple application to share the internet connection is, Internet Connection Sharing, from Microsoft. This program is integrated from Windows 98 Second edition and onwards. For a complete setup of ICS, check out, http://practicallynetworked.com/sharing/ The basic behind ICS is the fact that the host computer (the one with the internet connection) uses the ip# 192.168.0.1. If not, ICS won't work. So if the host has an other preassigned ip, you'll need to change it. Furthermore, the guide will give you the option between fixed and dynamic ip's. Especially for troubleshooting, I find fixed ip's very helpfull.
Which standard?
The latest and very much available standard is the, 802.11g. Which allow you to have a network connection speed up to 54mbps. While the previous standard, 802.11b will only allow a speed up to 11mbps. For most internet connections, 11mbps is more than enough. (most isp’s don’t offer 11mbps at a reasonable price)
There are though, a couple of advantages on the g-standard. First of all, the have a greater speed and are thus very convenient for large file and printer sharing. Secondly, the g-standard is less vulnerable for interference with other appliances, such as remote controls, dect phones, microwaves etc.
For a complete checklist on setting up file and printer sharing, check out http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=833