My wife and I live in a small condo. We would like to hook up two computers....?

Question

Our internet is via cable modem. We would like to have two computers hooked up in the same area (living room) but in opposite ends of the room. We both want to be on the internet at the same time, as my internet time is growing and her time (with just one computer) is getting squeezed.

I think we have a few options, but for right now, both will be hard-wired (Both are desktops). So should I:

Get a router and a really long ethernet cable and hook the 2nd computer up that way?

OR

Patch into the actual TV-feed cable via splitter and buy a 2nd modem? (2nd computer is really close to our TV/entertainment system). Will this work?

Also, since I'm going hardwired, I'm really looking for a budget solution. I'm not looking for a $200+ home network here...so I don't need the latest/fastest/coolest anything, just something that is average or was pretty good in 2006 or so...

Thanks!

Answer 1

A simple DSL/cable router will do the job. About $20 from craigslist (or about $40 new at Fred Meyer, Best Buy, etc.). Linksys is a good brand (as is D-Link, Netgear... tons to choose from).



You can even get a wireless one for adding a laptop in the future (but in either situation make sure you get one that has like 4 ethernet ports for sharing your connection between hardline systems).



A 3rd option is to get a wireless router mentioned above (with ethernet ports for one system) and get a USB dongle for the 2nd system and run it wirelessly (no long ethernet cable to worry about). No difference really in speed (unless your internet is above 54Mbps) but a bit more aesthetically pleasing.

Answer 2

You have 2 options... Price about the same.

1. Wireless: Buy a wireless router & wireless adapter (if your desktop doesn't have one)

2. Wired:

A. If your cable modem has 2 LAN connection points, buy long Ethernet cable for each desktop.

B. Buy a router with 4 port switch (4 LAN connectors). Use those points to connect the desktops.



I have setup a wireless network at my home. I even have a printer connected to my wireless network so I can print wireless.

Answer 3

As Bomber was saying you can setup using a cross over cable, but you will need two network cards in one computer (the one closest to the modem). This way the cable modem connects to one Network card on computer A you then share that network connection, then the cross over cable connects to the other computer. It uses computer A as it's gateway. You will need to assign static IP addresses to both computers. Leave the Network card that connects to the cable modem to obtain IP addresses automatically.



That being said, for about $50 dollars you can get a router, plug it behind the Cable modem, then plug both computers into the Router. In the future you will be able to add more computers with out having to add more cost.

$50 for Router

$20 network cable to reach other side of room (May be cheaper)

Answer 4

Go with your first option. You dont even need a router, you can use a hub. Connect the modem to the hub and from there run the 2 ethernet cables to the computers. One short for the one that is closest to the modem, and the long one for the one that is going to be across the room.

Answer 5

Personally I would buy a wireless router and an adapter. Hook your cable modem to the wireless router via ethernet. Hook one desktop computer up hardwire to the wireless router and have the other desktop hooked to the adapter.



Just make sure that you use a security feature like WEP if you go wireless.

Answer 6

You have a couple of options, some may be harder than others, but should still work



1. Get a cable modem with a built in router and a built in switch (when I say router, I mean a device that not only has more than one ethernet port, but can do the act of routing using only 1 IP from your ISP, this will take your IP from something like 145.3.163.4 (I made that IP up) to something like 192.168.1.100 up to 192.168.1.255 (the routed IPs may differ depending on router brand) and avoid getting a cable modem with a switch but no router, a switch is not a router, meaning it will not make LAN IPs, and you will have to pay your ISP for 2 IPs, this will cost more)



2. Get a cable modem with a built-in switch, Even though I told you to avoid these, it could be easier since your ISP will take care of the DHCP IP leasing system, replace your original cable modem with it and connect one computer to see if it works (only one computer will work at a time, when one computer is online, the other computer will not connect), if you get the internet, it means that your service is working with the new modem, then call you ISP and request another IP, you will have to pay for 2 IPs, but you don't have to fuss around with the DHCP setting on the router



3. You can do the same thing as above using your current modem, you can either get a router and pay for only 1 IP, or pay for a switch and pay for 2 IPs, I would say go with a router, you do have to manage your own settings, but it costs less, to do any of these, just connect an ethernet cable from the modem to the router or switch, if you use a switch, call your ISP for an extra IP, if you get a router, just plug it in and set it up (should come with directions and your router login IP or domain)



4. You can do what you have suggested and get two modems if you wish, but you will need to get service for 2 modems, if you connect the second modem without paying for a second service line, only one computer can get online at a time, or the second modem may not even get service, talk to your ISP about how to use 2 modems, but you will have to pay twice as much per month



5. Like somebody else mentioned, you can use a crossover cable (an ethernet cable, that on one end, the green pair and the orange pair of wires are switched), get a second network card, connect the cable modem to one computer, install the extra card in the same computer, the take the crossover cable from the other computer to the dual ethernet computer, then set up internet connection sharing, and set your IPs, or you can install routing software on one computer, and have the DHCP in the routing software assign the IP for the other computer (I don't know of any routing software off the top of my head, I have only done routing on Windows Server, just do a google search for routing software), connecting one computer to another is harder, but it does work if you know what you are doing

Answer 7

I agree with Mikeyb, if you plan on getting a laptop or wireless card for your desktp, i would pay the money up front for a wireless router and just do not enable it at this time until you plan on upgrading or exspanding your network. When you buy the ethernet cable also look for something to cover the wires so that you want trip over them.

Answer 8

you can't network two computers with just a ethernet cable it need to be through a router but there is an alternative

the easiest and cheapest way to make a home network with just two computer is to use a cross over cable which you can buy very cheaply it looks like a normal ethernet cable but with some of the wires crossed over to make the network work ask about a crossover cable at your local computer store the cost of a cross over cable is around £8 in the uk and around $15 in the Usa

Answer 9

Is there some reason that you absolutely MUST live in that downtown location? If it isn't 100% necessary then you are going to have to compromise. She has already made it clear to you that she cannot live in such a small space. Instead of listening to her you are trying to find a way to manipulating her into agreeing to do something she knows will make her unhappy. Lets say you win. She agrees and you two move into a condo that is too small for her to be comfortable in. Since physical space is a very important part of someone's happiness, and she is clearly not going to be happy living in that small space, you will be living in VERY close quarters with a very unhappy wife. That sounds like the average guy's idea of hell. All this because you really want to live in a very specific area of downtown. I think you really need to take stock of why you like that particular area of downtown. Is it a major status area? Is it close to cultural events you enjoy or your workplace? Why is it so important to you that you are willing to sacrifice your wife's happiness and purchase a microscopic condo just to live there? You do realize that in a good market a teeny, impractical condo is actually harder to sell, not easier, even if it is in a good location. If this area you would love to live in has parking or is close to public transportation, then it might just be that it is a nice place to visit, but you can't afford to live there. I think it is time for the two of you to find someplace cheaper but roomier. Scout out areas that are convenient to that particular downtown area, yet are more up-and-coming than already arrived. That way you will know that your choice is not just a good compromise but also a good investment. Later on, as you save more money you may someday be able to afford the downtown location that you wish to live in, but right now it is all about being realistic. Happy wife, happy life, man. Don't try to convince her to do something that will make her unhappy. It will fly back in your face when you are living in a cramped little condo with a perpetually unhappy woman.

Answer 10

Just buy a wired router and a 50 foot ethernet cable. Shop online, you can get it all for about $30.

Answer 11

A second modem won't work. Your ISP will only provide service to one modem, unless you get another monthly subscription.



Get a wireless router. They have a builtin ethernet switch so you can use cables and wireless connections simultaneously.



802.11n router with great QoS (for preserving and prioritizing bandwidth)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127220



Then get a long cable or a wireless card for the second PC

802.11n USB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000031+1132821052&Description=wireless+usb+adapter&name=Up+to+300Mbps



802.11n PCI

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000031+1132821052+1133010139&name=PCI



You can also buy a wireless bridge instead for the second computer and connect the ethernet of the second computer to it (looks like a router). The wireless bridge will "bridge" the second PC to the LAN of the wireless router. THe advantage is there are 4 ethernet ports.

802.11g

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162168



802.11n

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001769K3O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Answer 12

why pay for the hardwire cables and create havoc when wireless is so easy to setup. Just hookup the modem to the wireless and you got a home network for 2 or 4 or 16.. One thing to note though, remember to implement wireless security else your neighbors will be happy to surf internet for free. :P

Answer 13

Yes, just get a cable router (Around $50 in the UK), and connect with standard network cables

Answer 14

I agree. Get a standard router and connect via that. This gives you several advantages:



1) Better security

2) Scalability - you can add additional computers later

3) If you get a wireless router later, you'll have easier mobility.



Another note: Stick with brandname routers (Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, etc).