Networks Ok guys, what do i need?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by NuTech, 30 Sep 2002.

  1. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    Right, I’m putting together a home network and would like to confirm exactly what I need.

    At the moment all it is, is 2 wireless network cards connecting my PC (with an ADSL connection, and 7 GB of music) to my sister’s laptop. It’s convenient but not very practical for reasons I’ll explain. First of my pc has to obviously be on when ever she wants to access the internet. Secondly, my PC is near my bed and is very noisy which really effects my sleeping when my sis wants to check her mail late at night (usually from her University lecturers, no I can hardly say no).

    This is my plan for a network I will be constructing next week, please give me all the thoughts you have.
    I’m getting a load of upgrade parts in the mail to upgrade my pc. With the left over old parts I will be constructing a silent server which will sit in the corner of my room with an old monitor attached, this will have the ADSL line directly plugged into it and will store all the music. It will be left on 24/7. Connected to the server will be a hub/switch/router (please tell me which one I need) with one cable going to my newly upgraded pc (about 4 meters away). Another cable will be going to the entertainment pc downstairs (via a nice RJ45 wall socket). One last cable will be run downstairs for a yet-to-be-bought computer for my mum. So in total I will need around 4 sockets on whatever device I purchase.
    Lastly the wireless network card for the laptop will also be connected to the server.

    Nothing has been bought/set in stone yet so I’m open to any suggestions.

    Thanks.
     
  2. [CpK]Bastid

    [CpK]Bastid What's a Dremel?

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  3. Shadowspawn

    Shadowspawn Another hated American.

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    Bastid is right. That is a great little device that does everything you want it to. You set it up as the gateway...makes a good hardware firewall and provides DHCP for your network. Everybody is connected into it and your server is free to do only filesharing, as it should be. It has enough ports for all wired connections, including your moms and room for alot more wireless connections (in theory anyway).
     
  4. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    That *would* be excellent but unfortunatly my 2 wireless network cards are first generation Intel Anypoint ones (1.2mbits).
    So I highly doubt that the Linksys router would work with the 2 cards.

    Yes I know they're crap cards but all I can say is: PC World. what can i say? Impulse buy.
     
  5. Adam

    Adam Minimodder

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    AFAIK you are going to need a wireless access point if you are not going to be sharing the connection via your PC with the other wireless network card in. Therefore you will probably need to be running some version of Windows on your server. You will then need the wireless network card AND a standard NIC in that machine, and to find some way of routing the connection to both networks. You will then need to connect the cable from your NIC to a hub/switch via patch, then run patch to all of your other PCs.

    Also, in my quest for a silent server I have found that the hard drive cannot be silenced, even by putting the machine in a cupboard. I have resorted to using freesco (freesco.org) on a floppy so I don't need a hard drive but obviously that is no use to you.
     
  6. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    Thanks, but I'm not going to be purchasing any more wireless hardware. I'm just gonna plug my original wireless card into the server.

    http://www.quietpc.com/silentdrive.html
    The dogs bollocks, 'nuff said.
     
  7. Adam

    Adam Minimodder

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    Have tried a similar product, still not quiet enough for me.
     
  8. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    Well, I've looked into the suggested methods and have narrowed it down to either getting the suggested linksys router and replacing the two wireless adaptors with a more modern one (On doing a price check i was shocked by how cheap they've became).

    I'm still a little confused though.

    First if the router is completly standalone, how does it conect to the internet? Has it got an inbuilt ADSL modem or do i connect my modem into it (which would be a problem as my modem connects via USB)?

    Also, if my server will be on 24/7 (running mostly filesharing progs and occasially Apache/MySQL) is it really worth getting a router? Instead maybe getting a switch (am i right in thinking that a hub just mirrors traffic thus wasting bandwidth where as a switch directs traffic only sending out relevant data?).

    Finally (this is gonna be a n00b question but has to be asked), will a router also share files from connected PC's around the network or will it only share the internet connection.

    Thanks again guys.
     
  9. ocha

    ocha Minimodder

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    the router is a piece of kit that connects two networks together without letting access go between the two without need be. If you had a router with in buit switch/hub(preferably switch) then yes all your files on your network are accesable as well as the net. hope that helps

    G{u}ns
     
  10. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    This one has a built in switch, so i'm guessing it should work.
     
  11. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    Great:miffed: :miffed:

    I was all set to get the linksys wireless router but my hesitation paid off.

    I was wondering how i would plug my ADSL USB modem into it for it to be totally 'standalone' until a guide at adslguide.org.uk put me straight. Apparently in order to get those devices to work with an ADSL connection you need a modem with a built in switch which will set me back another £100.

    Oh well, back to square 1.
     
  12. Adam

    Adam Minimodder

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    Just to clarify - What you need to share the internet connection without an active PC is an ADSL router which can also function as a switch. To get the wireless capability you then need a WAP to connect to your switch.

    The router can be replaced for cheapness by a machine running smoothwall from www.smoothwall.org which you can just plug your USB modem into (so long as its compatible!).
     
  13. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    What i ended up deciding on was having a router and having a dedicated server. That way although the server will be on 24/7, it does not have to. So if the server is off, the other computers can still access the internet and the other clients.
    Not the cheapest way of doing things, but it's the most suitible (I'm not to keen on the idea of 1 pc having to be on all the time so other can access the internet).
     
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