Bob Boblaw
@mchsi.com
| Do I need a wireless router?
I have 1 desktop PC with a wired connection (motorola SB5101). My sister just bought a new laptop because her old HP DV8000 was having some issues. She let me keep it because she doesnt need it anymore.
I'm installing Windows 7 RC and would like to use an internet connection to setup drivers etc. My modem has both Ethernet and a USB port. My main PC uses Ethernet, so I connected the laptop with the USB. I was able to get connectivity on the laptop after reseting my modem, but of course my desktop loses its connection.
The manual for the modem says you can connect 2 pcs but only of the ISP allows it, which I guess Mediacom doesnt?
I plan on getting a wireless router anyway next month so it wont be an issue, but just for the time being I'd like to figure out how to share the connection. Do I have to fiddle around with ICS in windows? I only have the onboard NIC on my desktop PC, same with the laptop. I've never used more than 1 PC online in my house so I'm new to all this. Thanks for any advice! |
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drslash
Goya Asma
Premium
join:2002-02-18
Marion, IA | Yes, you will need either a wired or wireless router. Mediacom will not let you pull more than 1 IP address. I have not tried ICS for a long time but you should be able to get that to work until you get a router. |
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elios
join:2005-11-15
Springfield, MO | reply to Bob Boblaw
just get a cheap linksys router from walmart and call it a day
make sure you use some kind of encryption on it
like WPA2 + AES |
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thedragonmas
join:2007-12-28
Albany, GA | reply to Bob Boblaw
just get the router. in order for ICS youd need a crossover cable and walmart last i checked dont carry them. and unless you already have the tools it would end up costing more to make one than to just buy the router. |
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TheXerox
join:2002-04-05
Iowa
1 edit | reply to drslash
said by drslash  :Yes, you will need either a wired or wireless router. Mediacom will not let you pull more than 1 IP address. I have not tried ICS for a long time but you should be able to get that to work until you get a router. You can always purchase an additional IP address. I believe it's $5 extra on the monthly bill. IMO, router would be your best bet. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | reply to thedragonmas
Pretty much all modern equipment is auto-negotiating, so crossover/straight cables no longer make any difference. |
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thedragonmas
join:2007-12-28
Albany, GA
| said by daveinpoway :Pretty much all modern equipment is auto-negotiating, so crossover/straight cables no longer make any difference. well i have a dell i baught two months ago that would disagree , and a couple laptops as well. so that really depends on the equipment and it wouldnt hurt to give it a try. |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA | reply to daveinpoway
Autonegotiation negotiates duplex mode and connection rate, not whether you need a straight or crossover cable. The cable difference is physically a different pinout. |
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beachintech
There's sand in my tool bag
Premium
join:2008-01-06
The Beach,US
clubs:
 ·Mediacom
| reply to daveinpoway
said by daveinpoway :Pretty much all modern equipment is auto-negotiating, so crossover/straight cables no longer make any difference. Uh, no.
--
Tech at the Beach. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| For example, my Netgear switch says "Auto-Uplink" right on the front. I have also experimented with some old SonicWALL security appliances that indicate you need a crossover cable to set the configuration; with the auto-negotiating in my Mac's Ethernet interface, a non-crossover cable will work perfectly with these SonicWALL's.
Some equipment will call the feature Auto MDI/MDI-X. |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA | FWIW, auto-sensing MDI/MDI-X isn't the same as auto-negotiation. I still think auto-sensing will be very hit or miss with consumer electronics. No doubt that it will get better over time, but Bob's best best is still a cheap linky from Walmart. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| Yes, you are right; I was sloppy with my terminology. I combined auto-speed sensing and auto MDI/MDI-X in one term (auto-negotiation). Anyway, terminology notwithstanding, I believe that the vast majority of modern networking equipment can set itself up to work properly, regardless of whether a straight-through or a crossover Ethernet cable is being used.
A router would be the best solution, but I'm not about to step into the mine-field of debating which brand should be purchased. |
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thedragonmas
join:2007-12-28
Albany, GA
| said by daveinpoway :Yes, you are right; I was sloppy with my terminology. I combined auto-speed sensing and auto MDI/MDI-X in one term (auto-negotiation). Anyway, terminology notwithstanding, I believe that the vast majority of modern networking equipment can set itself up to work properly, regardless of whether a straight-through or a crossover Ethernet cable is being used. A router would be the best solution, but I'm not about to step into the mine-field of debating which brand should be purchased. sorry i disagree, like i pointed out this pc isnt even 4 months old and it does not have auto mdi/mdi-x nore does the old one, nore does the 3 laptops sitting on the shelf running boinc.
why would a company making hardware for the consumer market spend the extra $ putting this in?
its just like caller i.d. and voice on a modem. none of my equipment supports voice, yet the laptops support caller i.d. its hit or miss.(was trying to get out of having to buy a talking caller i.d.)
the OP is better off buying an elcheapo router from walmart instead of going threw the trouble of assuming his hardware supports auto mdi/mdi-x |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| If the auto-detection of speed and MDI/MDI-X was built into the networking chipset, then it would not add any extra cost to include these features.
Awhile back, I bought an adapter at Fry's Electronics that will make any Ethernet cable into a crossover, but I have never needed to use it- everything I have worked with (both newer stuff and pretty old equipment picked up at flea markets) has worked fine with a "standard" Ethernet cable, even if the instructions (written for a past era when auto-detection didn't exist) required the use of a crossover cable. Thus, I had no idea that anything without auto-detect was still on the market. |
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