home networking computer question

[radfringe]

we will be "upgrading" our internet to a hi-speed connection (bye-bye dial-up) on our desktop computer at the end of the month. we are going through our phone company for the hi-speed connection

I also have a laptop computer that at the moment I plug into the phone jack if I want to use it for the internet

what I would like to do is to set up a wireless network connection from the desktop to the laptop so I can access the internet from my laptop from anywhere in the house.

how do I do that and what equipment do I need?


(cross-posted from computer forum)

[Omphaloskepsis]

1. Depends...

Does your laptop have built-in WiFi:

if you answer no you need a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127116

And you need a wireless router. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127158

It will go :: modem from telco --> router --> wired computer (the laptop should be able to talk to the router)


edit :: to clarify..

If your laptop doesn't have WiFi built in you would need both of those. If it does you would only need the second one (the router). And I have always had good luck with D-Link stuff so that is why I linked to their stuff. And Newegg rocks.

[radfringe]

2. laptop does have built in wifi

how difficult is it to hook everything up? I am somewhat computer savy, but have never done a network connection...

worst case scenario and I get totally "cornfuzed" I can always ask my computer wizard neighbor to help out - but he's out of state most of the time, only comes home once a month or so...

[Omphaloskepsis]

3. It is really easy.

Read the manual that comes with the router before you start playing around with anything. If someone comes out to install your broadband you might be able to sweet talk them into doing it for you.

Some advice.. If you are getting a do-it-yourself kit from the phone company do not try to hook it up with the router in there. Just pretend you only have one wired computer. Get that working then install the router. If you can get the one wired computer working you should be able to install the router and things should automagically work.

And google how to secure your wireless connection.

[radfringe]

4. Thanks!

phone company is doing the installation for us - as one phonejack is Hardwired, (others phone jacks have the plug in modules) and we were told it is best to let the tech guy install the filters on the hardwired jacks.

as far as the wireless connections go, this will be done afterwards - have to squirrel away some money to get the router.

thanks again!!!

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. I linked to a expensive router.

They can be had for as little as 30$. I have just had bad luck with cheap ones so I don't recommend them. They work but they need to be restarted often and have shitty software.

But if you want to get up and going you can get a wireless router for less than 30$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833314006

[Orsino]

6. Your phone company's set-up may support only one computer.

Check on this during the installation. Adding others later may require a significant redesign.

Otherwise, be sure to lock down whatever wireless access you bring up, unless you want to be a free neighborhood ISP.