Networks Home networking, which should i choose?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Mother-Goose, 28 Dec 2005.

  1. Mother-Goose

    Mother-Goose 5 o'clock somewhere

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    Ok all, i've decided that I want to network the 4 computers in our home, currently we are all connected to the internet by a 4 port netgear router.

    What is the best way to network the computers then? Should I use the built in feature in XPpro? (i have heard this isnt the best)

    Or should i build some kind of file server from spare parts we have?

    Basically the network needs to allow shared internet access, all the PC's should be able to print on one or two printers ( i have seen that these can be shared, thats right...right?) and basic file sharing.

    IMO i would have thought using the XPpro thing would be the most cost effective solution with only 4 computers concerned and a decent router involved but if anyone would like to say otherwise please do so.

    Oh year, and doing it in XP, its easy right?
     
    Mother-Goose, 28 Dec 2005
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  2. Tomm

    Tomm I also ride trials :¬)

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    No need for a file server at all - Just use a router and Windows file sharing. You can share printers too, yes.

    And to set it up, it *should* be a doddle. But sometimes I have found that the computers just don't want to play ball for no good reason. But it's not difficult really.

    If you've already got a router for internet access, it should just be a case of giving every computer a unique name in Ctrl Panel > System > Computer name and making sure they're in the same worgroup. Don't worry about domains or anything like that. After that, you should be able to right-click folders and printers and "share" them. Then a restart is always a good idea (I usually switch all the computers off at the same time, then all back on) and you *should* be able to browse people's computers in My network places > view entire network.

    Good luck
     
    Tomm, 28 Dec 2005
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  3. MrWillyWonka

    MrWillyWonka Chocolate computers galore!

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    And mapping network drives would probably be the best idea, going to my network places > view entire network can take AGES and a lot of the time it looks as if your computer has crashed, but it hasn't.
     
    MrWillyWonka, 28 Dec 2005
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  4. Mother-Goose

    Mother-Goose 5 o'clock somewhere

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    excellent, thankyou guys :D
     
    Mother-Goose, 28 Dec 2005
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  5. Mother-Goose

    Mother-Goose 5 o'clock somewhere

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    had another thought. Im assuming the computer the printer is connected to has to be on right?

    Is there anyway of making the printer wireless? so it can just be on by itself and the computers connect to it wirelessly
     
    Mother-Goose, 29 Dec 2005
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  6. seebul

    seebul Minimodder

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    you can get a print server for that and then plug that into your router, dont know about wireless tho.
     
    seebul, 29 Dec 2005
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  7. CaseyBlackburn

    CaseyBlackburn Network Techie

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    Yes there is wireless printservers so that would work great.
     
    CaseyBlackburn, 29 Dec 2005
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  8. Mother-Goose

    Mother-Goose 5 o'clock somewhere

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    how much would that cost?
     
    Mother-Goose, 29 Dec 2005
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  9. CaseyBlackburn

    CaseyBlackburn Network Techie

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    CaseyBlackburn, 29 Dec 2005
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