mfarid2
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Wireless internet connection?
I have a laptop and a desktop. My Comcast cable modem is connected to my desktop. I would like to use the laptop to do wireless internet connection from another room. What do I need to do? Do I need to buy a card? What kind of card? I am really new at this so I would appreciate any feedback.
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Just to add a bit more:
The access point is actually what provides the wireless network and the wireless card allows you to access the wireless network.
You would follow the directions that come with the AP to set it up. Configuration is usually done thru a web browser and the instructions are usually pretty straight forward.
Of course you need to also worry about security. Some things to consider:
Change the admin password on the AP from the default
Change the SSID to something besides the default
Turn off broadcasting so your signal isn't broadcasted for all your neighbors to tap into
Enable MAC address filtering so you are required to register a device before you can use it on your network (the MAC address is the physical address of your NIC card and is printed on the card and can also be found by typing ipconfig /all from a command prompt.)
Enable some form of encryption (such as WPA) to make sure the data you send is not wide open for anyone in range to see so make sure your AP supports a good encryption
The access point is actually what provides the wireless network and the wireless card allows you to access the wireless network.
You would follow the directions that come with the AP to set it up. Configuration is usually done thru a web browser and the instructions are usually pretty straight forward.
Of course you need to also worry about security. Some things to consider:
Change the admin password on the AP from the default
Change the SSID to something besides the default
Turn off broadcasting so your signal isn't broadcasted for all your neighbors to tap into
Enable MAC address filtering so you are required to register a device before you can use it on your network (the MAC address is the physical address of your NIC card and is printed on the card and can also be found by typing ipconfig /all from a command prompt.)
Enable some form of encryption (such as WPA) to make sure the data you send is not wide open for anyone in range to see so make sure your AP supports a good encryption
Buy a linksys wireless kit. It includes Cable Router and a Wifi card. Pretty simple to install get it at Staples, Best Buy, anywhere online even amazon.
/TT
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follow luv2smiles advice about security. i forgot that you were new at this. you definitly want to protect your connection, depending on where you live and set this up. your neighbors can steal your wireless connection or even worse see all the information that you are sending wirelessly.
i would go to circuit city or somewhere that provides FREE installation and have some computer nerd like us set it up for you. its for your own good and will save you a lot of time and frustration.
i would go to circuit city or somewhere that provides FREE installation and have some computer nerd like us set it up for you. its for your own good and will save you a lot of time and frustration.
>or even worse see all the information that you are sending wirelessly
I'd go a step farther on the "even worse" scenario...someone could exploit other weaknesses in your network and turn your computers into spam relays, zombie-net machines, or even a kiddieporn site....in which case you may get your door kicked in by the authorities, have all your computers confiscated, and get free room and board behind bars for a while (although there have been precedences set in the US where unknowing victims of such compromises did *eventually* get their name cleared and their stuff back).
Just one more little sidenote, when you hook the wireless router to the comcast cablemodem instead of your PC, you will need to power-cycle the cablemodem since comcast configures them to only connect to as many MAC addresses as you are paying for (typically just one). You're perfectly allowed to plug a different device into the modem, you just need to power cycle it to drop the old MAC address and accept the new one.
I'd go a step farther on the "even worse" scenario...someone could exploit other weaknesses in your network and turn your computers into spam relays, zombie-net machines, or even a kiddieporn site....in which case you may get your door kicked in by the authorities, have all your computers confiscated, and get free room and board behind bars for a while (although there have been precedences set in the US where unknowing victims of such compromises did *eventually* get their name cleared and their stuff back).
Just one more little sidenote, when you hook the wireless router to the comcast cablemodem instead of your PC, you will need to power-cycle the cablemodem since comcast configures them to only connect to as many MAC addresses as you are paying for (typically just one). You're perfectly allowed to plug a different device into the modem, you just need to power cycle it to drop the old MAC address and accept the new one.
thats a pretty extreme situation, did that happen to you?
no, but having worn both black and white security hats and trying to keep up with current techniques used on both sides generates a healthy amount of paranoia.
I wondered if when mfarid2 said his cable modem was connected to the desktop if it meant that a USB connection was being used. If this is the case, the question would arise as to whether or not the cable modem also has an ethernet interface. If it does, then the recommendations above will work just fine.
Otherwise, a replacement modem/router compatible with his DSL service that has an ethernet interface will be required to connect to the wireless router/ap.
Alternatively, if it is a USB modem, and replacing the modem is not an option, then doing internet connection sharing can work. The desktop will of course require an ethernet port for connection to the wireless router/ap.
RG
Otherwise, a replacement modem/router compatible with his DSL service that has an ethernet interface will be required to connect to the wireless router/ap.
Alternatively, if it is a USB modem, and replacing the modem is not an option, then doing internet connection sharing can work. The desktop will of course require an ethernet port for connection to the wireless router/ap.
RG
>Otherwise, a replacement modem/router compatible with his DSL service
Ummm, DSL != cable ;)
(Okay, I'm nitpicking haha) Good point about a USB only modem if that's what he's got (tho most provided by comcast these days are those crappy RCA ones that actually do have both RJ45 and USB jacks...but you're not required to use their modems so it could be anything)
Ummm, DSL != cable ;)
(Okay, I'm nitpicking haha) Good point about a USB only modem if that's what he's got (tho most provided by comcast these days are those crappy RCA ones that actually do have both RJ45 and USB jacks...but you're not required to use their modems so it could be anything)
ASKER
My Comcast modem has a cable connected to my computer. No USB cable so I should be fine. I already ordered the 2 things ngravatt mentioned in his earlier posting. Is that going to be enough?
mikeleebrla's diagram looked pretty simple.
Anyway, funny you guys brought up the wireless connection stealing issue. There was an article on CNN.com just yesterday about it. A guy in NYC never paid for his internet since he moved there. I definitely don't want to get into such problems and would like to do every possible thing to prevent it.
mikeleebrla's diagram looked pretty simple.
Anyway, funny you guys brought up the wireless connection stealing issue. There was an article on CNN.com just yesterday about it. A guy in NYC never paid for his internet since he moved there. I definitely don't want to get into such problems and would like to do every possible thing to prevent it.
yeah, all you need is the wireless card and wireless router.
then follow the diagram in the first post.
no, you dont need a usb cable.
yes, it is pretty simple if you follow fixnix instructions on the correct way to power on the devices. Connect all the devices, then turn on your modem, THEN turn on the router, then turn on you pc and laptop.
then follow the diagram in the first post.
no, you dont need a usb cable.
yes, it is pretty simple if you follow fixnix instructions on the correct way to power on the devices. Connect all the devices, then turn on your modem, THEN turn on the router, then turn on you pc and laptop.
Ooops, sorry about the Cable/DSL swap. My bad.
RG
RG
---cable"modem"-----router
|
laptop (connected to router wirelessly)