My suggestion to you is to purchase a router (a wireless access point
with an integrated Ethernet switch and firewall/router). The Ethernet
switch will be used to connect your desktop PCs. You will need a
wireless network interface card for you laptop. That takes care of the
internal network. Now, for Internet access, you should get a router with
a serial port integrated into the unit. Your router then connects to a
external modem. With this setup, your internet access is not dependent
on one dedicated PC having to be left on.

I recommend LINKSYS networking products. They're reliable and
affordable.


Best of luck,
Max Mattar

-----Original Message-----
From: PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brian Zentz
Sent: April 29, 2004 21:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCBUILD] Building a home network


I'm just starting to learn about networking.  I have two desktop
computers running WIN95B.  I have a laptop running WinXPHome.  All have
internal modems for dial-up Internet connection.  My objective is to
network all three so they can simultaneously connect to the Internet.
The laptop may or may not be present when the other two computers need
to access the Internet and I would prefer that the laptop be connected
wirelessly so it can be moved from room to room.

My idea is to connect the two desktops through an Ethernet network and
then wire this network to a wireless router.  The laptop would connect
wirelessly to the router. If that is possible my next question is how to
make the internet connection.  Can I simply use one of the internal
modems already in one of the desktop computers?  Would the other
computers in the network be able to share that In ternet connection too?
If sharing an internal modem won't work do I need to connect and
external modem to the router for the internet connection?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

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