Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of Raftor
Raftor

asked on

network setup

I want to set up a wired or wireless network in my house to share files between 3 laptops in 3 different rooms and to be able to surf the internet and play networked games.  There is no ethernet network access point in the house, the only type of connection is a regular phone connection in each room.

These are the kind of questions i am wondering about.

>>  I was wondering what kind of hardware do i need to do the job.
>>  I would like to know about speeds of downloading and cost of the hardware too if possible.
>>  What are the advantages/disadvantages of wireless/wired connection.
>>  How do i set connect the hardware and software once ive bought it.
SOLUTION
Avatar of browolf
browolf

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Lee W, MVP
>>  I was wondering what kind of hardware do i need to do the job.
Wireless Access Point (probably a typical Wireless Access Point/Cable DSL Router).  
I asked a similar question for hardware to share a modem connection
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21185190/NARROWBAND-modem-and-4-port-hub-switch.html

>>  I would like to know about speeds of downloading and cost of the hardware too if possible.
Downloading will be SLOW.  56K / 3 if all three computers are downloading simultaneously - or about 18Kb per computer (2 KBytes) per second - assuming you have a FAST 53K (FCC Limit) connection.

>>  What are the advantages/disadvantages of wireless/wired connection.
Wireless would be best as you don't have to run cables through your house.  But you are subject to interference from 2.4 GHz phones (when someone is speaking on one, they tend to interrupt your signal) and your speeds are going to be at best 1/3 of a wired network and at worst, 1/100 that of a wired network.  For gaming IN HOUSE, that's fine.  For transferring files (movies for example) between computers, that's SLOW.

Wired means you'd have to run cables through your house.  Punch holes through walls and/or floors.  BUT, they are rarely subject to any kind of interference and run at a reliably fast 100 Mbits/second (realistically, 10 MBytes/second)

>>  How do i set connect the hardware and software once ive bought it.
Depends a little on what hardware you get.  That's better answered by a seperate question once you have the equipment.  Also depends on what solution you take - wired or wireless - and what your notebooks already have.
Avatar of stockhes
stockhes


Another issue must be raised speaking wireless or not
Security !: I know coding's & encryption gets better, but your data is more safe in a shielded cable than in the air.
If you are doing a lot of inhouse sharing I would go for a wired solution, because wireless seems to - not like concrete ,any metallic obstacles, cellulars, and if you sneeze the bandwith drops below 10 mbit. ^O^

but then again laptops yilds wireless and desktops yilds wired.
 
Security is an excellent point - Wireless, even when secured, isn't very secure.  I don't think you're likely to get "hacked" for yourr personal info, but people have been known to "War Drive" - search for wireless networks and if you have a hacker who really wants on your network, they'll get on your network within a day or two of steady work.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Raftor

ASKER

>>Can you convert the existing phone line to a ethernet line and hook it up to the network cards? Will this line be able to provide high speed internet or will it remain the 56k land line speed?

>> Using the existing phone lines in the house (each room has a phone line connection) can I network the 3 notebooks?  

>> If i wanted to connect 3 laptops for network gaming, what would i need. Is it a swith or router or what? How much are these and are they hard to configure?
SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
switches used to be expensive versions of hubs. Being more effficient in their operation. Nowadays switches are so cheap no-one bothers with hubs.  neither switches nor hubs that are typically aimed at small usage e.g. 5 port need configuring. they just work.

a router is sort of a modem and a switch joined together.