Simple network help me im a noob

[Jon Boy]

Hello

Right easy easy question coming up that will be much appreciated if answered.

I need to network 3 computer (assume Windows XP Pro), from what I gather it needs to be for file sharing. I do not think the people have a server so they wont be stored on there.

I have like 40m of Cat5e cable so if cabling its not an issue.

First off what will be cheaper and more affective cabling or wireless. I am thinking cable as the cable is cheaper and generally easier (I assume).

Second of all, how would I go about this? And what equipment would I need? Just a switch or a switch and router or just a router?

The more step by step the answer the more grateful I will be.

Thanks alot

Jon

 

[Shady]

Cables are more effective if all the PCs are close together.
Most motherboards have built in ethernet, so it won't be a problem, Most new routers have more than one port (usually 4) + wireless interface so if you have 3 computers you can use only a router.

 

[Antiodontalgic]

Hello

Right easy easy question coming up that will be much appreciated if answered.

I need to network 3 computer (assume Windows XP Pro), from what I gather it needs to be for file sharing. I do not think the people have a server so they wont be stored on there.

I have like 40m of Cat5e cable so if cabling its not an issue.

First off what will be cheaper and more affective cabling or wireless. I am thinking cable as the cable is cheaper and generally easier (I assume).

Second of all, how would I go about this? And what equipment would I need? Just a switch or a switch and router or just a router?

The more step by step the answer the more grateful I will be.

Thanks alot

Jon

Yes, doing a wired network is much much cheaper. I would go with a 4-5 port router normally like 30 bucks at walmart if that. Normally you can just plug and play with no settings messed with. But, the computers work groups will all have to be the same to file share /play games.

 

[Jon Boy]

Yeah they close together and I can terminate them easily. Do I need just a normal Ethernet cable or they need to be twisted?

Do I literally plug them all into a router (he might have one) then use the wizard for file sharing?

Jon

btw I am not a complete computer noob, I work for a computer networking company lol, just never had to do any of the configuration myself. And doing a computer degree, sad how little that teaches (mainly programming).

 

[Antiodontalgic]

Yeah they close together and I can terminate them easily. Do I need just a normal Ethernet cable or they need to be twisted?

Do I literally plug them all into a router (he might have one) then use the wizard for file sharing?

Jon

btw I am not a complete computer noob, I work for a computer networking company lol, just never had to do any of the configuration myself. And doing a computer degree, sad how little that teaches (mainly programming).

Yes, Get normal Ethernet cables and plug them all to the router dont plug from computer to computer. It will basically be plug and play. But yes, run the wizard it will also ask you what the groups name is called normally by default its MSHOME or WORKGROUP. Change it to one for all 3 computers like they all need to be MSHOME or the other.

 

[Jon Boy]

Yes, Get normal Ethernet cables and plug them all to the router dont plug from computer to computer. It will basically be plug and play. But yes, run the wizard it will also ask you what the groups name is called normally by default its MSHOME or WORKGROUP. Change it to one for all 3 computers like they all need to be MSHOME or the other.

Thanks, I will be posting here if he wishes any other functionality added to it. But as it stands it seems as simple as I thought (easy money hehe).

In fact if things are as I think they might be. The guy probs has a router already with all computers plugged into them. Will be embarrassing if I finish in 10 min. Any idea how I could possibly stall myself so I don't look a goon lol.

Jon

 

[Vipernitrox]

you can make network drives to each other on the pc's.
you could check the routers speed (100mbit or 1gbit probably).
if it's 100mbit you can advise him to either buy a faster router or a gbit switch. (really improves network speed).
Make sure his network card ar 1gbit if not advise him to get 1gbit .
You can give him some directions on using the file sharing.
you can share some other devices he has on his network like printers, scanners that sort of things.

that should give you enough things to be about for an hour or so.

 

[Jon Boy]

you can make network drives to each other on the pc's.
you could check the routers speed (100mbit or 1gbit probably).
if it's 100mbit you can advise him to either buy a faster router or a gbit switch. (really improves network speed).
Make sure his network card ar 1gbit if not advise him to get 1gbit .
You can give him some directions on using the file sharing.
you can share some other devices he has on his network like printers, scanners that sort of things.

that should give you enough things to be about for an hour or so.

HAHAHAHA thanks . I might add a network storage device and make my own Ethernet cables as well lol. Now I just need to find the time between my two jobs, full time university course, assignment work and getting drunk .

Jon