Community Newsletter: Q&A: 8/27/05 Routers, switches, and hubs, oh my!
- 8/24/05 7:09 PM
huh
by garyofcourse - 8/26/05 12:55 PM In reply to: On Hubs, Routers & Switches by Lalexmoer..did u mean gary?
HUBS, ROUTERS AND SWITCHES
by wpi1970 - 8/26/05 8:21 AM In reply to: Answer by Gary P. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Gary -
Your CNET answer was very timely and most informative. Thanks!
I use Win 98SE with an HPNA (Home Phoneline) network for 3 PC's. I would like to add a print server for an HP 970 CSE printer. Can I simply plug the print server into my Linksys router or do I need some extra bits and pieces to make it work properly?
I would appreciate your advice.
JetDirect
by jmorris9999 - 8/26/05 8:38 AM In reply to: HUBS, ROUTERS AND SWITCHES by wpi1970All the JetDirects I've worked with lately come preset to use DHCP/BOOTP to get an IP address. All you should have to do is connect the JetDirect to the Linksys and then connect the power (or just turn it on if it has a switch). Once it's booted, you can use the JetAdmin software to fine tune the configuration.
More Computers sharing a printer
by tenkof - 8/26/05 8:47 AM In reply to: Answer by Gary P. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Gary, your answer is well taken. I have learned a lot. But I have a question. I have one desktop and two laptops connected to a router. I am trying to share one printer among these three computers. In most cases I am not able to do so. Your response is making me think that may be a switch will be helpful. Can you tell more about this? That is how to go about sharing a printer among 3 computers. All computers are windows xp. The two laptops are tosheba and ibm, the desktop is hp and the router is netgear.
Thank you.
Sharing Printers
by pommie_cj - 8/26/05 12:45 PM In reply to: More Computers sharing a printer by tenkofAssuming that you have the printer attached to one of your computers on the network and that your network is set up correctly....
You will need to set up printer/File sharing on the computer with the printer. Control Panel/Printers and Faxes, right click on the printer in question and select Sharing...
At this point Windows will warn you about sharing usually. I tell Windows that I will set up the sharing myself. On the sharing dialog, select "Share this printer" and give it a name. This should allow the printer to be shared.
On the other computers, then, Go to Control Panel/Printers and Faxes.
Select Add a Printer.
The wizard will start with an info dialog, press NEXT.
The wizard will ask Local or Network. Select Network and Press NEXT.
The wizard will ask Specify a printer. Select "Browse for a Printer" and Press NEXT
The Wizard will browse for a printer on the network. The dialog is in a tree style display showing the network workgroup name at teh top with the attached machine underneath.
Find the machine with the printer and doubleclick on the machine if you need to. Then select the appropriate printer noted under that machine and select NEXT.
The wizard will make sure you are sure. Click YES.
The wizard may ask if you want to make the printer the default. Answer appropriately. Click NEXT.
The Wizard will note its completion. Click FINISH.
Voila, you have a printer shared to another computer.
Happy printing.
Chris
do as chris says
by garyofcourse - 8/27/05 12:53 AM In reply to: More Computers sharing a printer by tenkofi think Chris has answered the question for me. what he says is correct.
gary.
What about a wireless network?
by retro-yoshi - 8/26/05 9:00 AM In reply to: Answer by Gary P. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Let's say in the near future I am looking to connect my PC, a laptop computer, and a game console like PS2 or Xbox to a wireless network on a cable internet connection. Does the same broadband solution apply? Do you need both a wireless hub and a wireless router? And are there significant differences in different brands of each, or will the cheapest one do? I'm new to all of this and would appreciate a simple answer. Thanks.
only wireless router needed
by garyofcourse - 8/27/05 12:57 AM In reply to: What about a wireless network? by retro-yoshiA wireless router almost always comes with a built in switch, and it is also an access point. So basically you would just get a wireless router and plug it into your broadband point or telephone jack. being an access point it would give off the wireless signals too.
your computers would probably automatically detect the presence of the wireless network. the manual should guide you through any configuration or hitches.
a wireless router is definitely the simplest solution.
Gary.
Wireless router
by claysiv - 9/16/05 11:48 AM In reply to: only wireless router needed by garyofcourseI have 2 computers networked (hard wire) together and can have either or both connected to the broadband (cable) internet. If I buy a laptop, what do I need to bring it into the present network? Should I buy one wireless router and hardwire to existing computers in place of present router? and then wireless to laptop?
That will depend ...
by KV - 9/19/05 2:18 AM In reply to: Wireless router by claysivIf you want to connect to the network wireless, you will need a wireless access point (in case your router doesn't already support wireless). You then connect the access point to the router using a cable.
Or, alternatively, buy a router that DOEs support it.
If however you don't mind messing around with cables, you can just connect your laptop directly to the router hardwired.
Then it's just a matter of giving the laptop an IP address in the same range as the other PC's and configuring it with the same workgroup name.
Routers
by vcolling - 8/26/05 9:05 AM In reply to: Answer by Gary P. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Gary's reply was accurate, but long, and I have to confess, I didn't read it in detail.
The short answer I would give - look for a router that has a switch built-in. Most of them have at least three ports. That will let you plug in all three computers, and you won't need a separate switch or hub. You can add a switch at a later date to add more devices if you need them. If you decide to go wireless, that will let you connect laptops and other wireless connections, but it has another set of terms that complicate matters. Some manufacturers are trying to simplify it.
Additional information
by Karada_uk - 8/26/05 9:13 AM In reply to: Answer by Gary P. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I would also suggest that you make sure that the firewall you use incorporates NAT (Network Address Translation). In a NAT firewall the external address is different to the ones used internally so a computer on a Class C network with an address of 192.168.x.x is not seen on the Internet at all as the address is translated to an address the router uses. Most wireless routers that connect to the Internet with an internal or external DSL modem incorporate a NAT firewall.
The other thing I would suggest is that when you complete your setup, goto www.grc.com and run some of their free utilities. Shields Up is a good one for showing how exposed your machine is to the Internet. It probes for remote access to your machine through the first 1,000 ports and gives you a full report.
Finally don't forget that last essential on all your machines.... a good anti-virus package (I would recommend AVG 7 Free version)
NAT good idea but not necessary
by garyofcourse - 8/27/05 1:00 AM In reply to: Additional information by Karada_uki agree with and support the NAT idea since it enhances safety by creating an IP address different from the computers on the network. for an office network with security risk this is recommended.
However most firewalls do an adequate job of hiding your ip address anyway so for a home network you may or may not want to go in for NAT. its just additional protection.
Gary.
The setup section of your response
by VAT69 - 8/26/05 9:38 AM In reply to: Answer by Gary P. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have multiple (3) computers running through a Linksys Wireless G router (all hardwired) without the use of a hub as you suggest. We do not share info just the internet connection. (cable) Does the Linksys router have a hub built in? Great article!
Thanks,
Rich V
yep router+switch (2 in 1)
by garyofcourse - 8/26/05 11:40 AM In reply to: The setup section of your response by VAT69I am aware of similar situations as yours in the case of wireless networks. All you need is a wireless router and youre set. I seem to have totally overlooked wireless products in my article although I had meant to put a little info on them in there, so must have slipped my mind.
There are many router+switch (2 in 1) products available today for non-wireless networks.
For wireless networks, most routers come with a built in switch.
I looked up the linksys products page
(http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C1%26cid%3D1115416939789&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper) and it looks like every wireless router they have doubles as a router and a switch (and also as an access point). So yeah, you dont need the switch/hub coz you have one built into the router.
Your's is probably the most convenient setup.
Gary.
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