Setting up multiple computers on single cable line...

[Sly_RJ]

I have a cable connection with my computer, but my new roommate wants cable for his computer as well. We also have an X-Box and PS2 that we'll be using online shortly, so we'd like to rig up everything to accommodate these needs. The X-Box and PS2 are in the living room and the computers are in each of our rooms.

What kind of hardware will I need to set this up? How hard will it be? And how much money are we talking?

Thanks in advance!

[galleryseek]

thousands upon thousands of dollars. $3k, at the very least.

[Halcyon]

I'm using a lynksys cable modem ($100) and a Lynksys broadband router ($150) and I have 4 lan lines plus a wireless network from my cable modem line.

Not sure about the gaming stuff.

[XxXotic]

all you need is a router, good ones run around 100$ give or take 10-20$

[corvette]

Originally posted by XxXotic
all you need is a router, good ones run around 100$ give or take 10-20$

[Sly_RJ]

Just a router? Cool. I'm such an idiot with hardware, always fucking it up. Will implementation be fairly simple?

[nocostporn]

wireless router is all you would need right? should have told me when i sent this other crap...I've got a brand new Linkys router with one wireless port I could have gave you..shit cost 450 and I never put it to use

[GotGauge]

Depends...

I am allowed 8 ip's so I run 2 hubs
(business account)

Most states only allow 1 IP, so you have to use a router.
Very easy to setup.
Router and cables....

[Mojo Rizin]

Be prepared to do some wall fishing if you have a long run for the cat 5..

Might as well go wireless if you dont want to run Cat line throughout.

[quiet]

i run everything on wireless. so easy to use. someone brings over a laptop and i can give them a password and instant wireless access. not sure how you'd be able to run gaming machines that way though...

[Sly_RJ]

Wireless is an option, since I do have a laptop besides my desktop, but I'm not crazy about buying another network card. Plus, how does wireless work with our game systems?

We already have cables running from the living room to my room, to his room (apartment wiring blows goats). Would I need more than that?

[Mojo Rizin]

I think alot of the wireless routers also have ports to run line straight in as well..

If you already got the cat 5 run might as well just get a router

[ElvisManson]

Originally posted by Mojo Rizin
I think alot of the wireless routers also have ports to run line straight in as well..

If you already got the cat 5 run might as well just get a router

Make sure it is cat 5E for long distance cabling though.

[Herb Kornfield]

Linksys kicks ass, I have a 4 port at home and 8 port at the office. They have a wireless version with Print server also.

Its used for gaming on, not a problem and totally easy to get into your set up

[Gasper]

Yeah .. buy a router and ... maybe ask a computer guru to set it up .. (it ain't that easy)

[BJ]

you need wireless if you dont want to run cables from the xbox ps2.

this goes into the xbox

http://www.linksys.com/Products/prod...id=22&prid=432

[BJ]

Originally posted by novaknet
Yeah .. buy a router and ... maybe ask a computer guru to set it up .. (it ain't that easy)

wtf are you talking about?

[Megahurt]

First : Newb here
Second : Ready for flaming
Third : I only have one cable line in my entire house, with 2 computers, a ps2, and two tvs. Of everything, i can only run 1 computer and one tv at one time. You might need to install some more outlets.
megaHurT

[Backov]

Get a linksys 4 or 8 port cable/dsl router.

I would advise if you want good network speed, to NOT go wireless. Your effective lan speed will be limited to around 3.5mbps, instead of the closer to 100mbps you'll get with 100mbps ethernet cards and CAT5.

Installation is totally brainless, plug the router in, plug the computers into the router, set up lan connections with all default settings - bam, you're done.

Cheers,
Backov

[detoxed]

I went to Wal-Mart and got a $60 linksys 4 port router, works fine

[BJ]

it dont matter if you are basically using your network for internet whether or not its wireless. the transfer rate on wireless far exceeds down/up speeds anyways.

if you are moving lots of files internally, then yes rj45 is way to go.

doesnt really matter since dual purpose routers are cheap as it is.

[quiet]

i use airport extreme on all my machines. it maxes out at 54 mbs wireless.

[Backov]

Originally posted by quiet
i use airport extreme on all my machines. it maxes out at 54 mbs wireless.

The new 811 whatever standard is quite fast (probably what that is) - but when you count in signal loss and interference and all that, it falls far short of 54mbps.

[GTS Mark]

I've got my desktop, laptop and X-box all networked together through a D-link router.

Works awesome

DH

[quiet]

Originally posted by Backov


The new 811 whatever standard is quite fast (probably what that is) - but when you count in signal loss and interference and all that, it falls far short of 54mbps.

like i said, it maxes out @. theoretical. same with any type of network.

it is a quantum leap over the older wireless speeds, no comparison.

http://www.apple.com/airport/

[Centurion]

Originally posted by Backov
Get a linksys 4 or 8 port cable/dsl router.

I would advise if you want good network speed, to NOT go wireless. Your effective lan speed will be limited to around 3.5mbps, instead of the closer to 100mbps you'll get with 100mbps ethernet cards and CAT5.

Installation is totally brainless, plug the router in, plug the computers into the router, set up lan connections with all default settings - bam, you're done.

Cheers,
Backov

Agreed! Plus I don't know how you are set up, but you're going to put a pretty good drain on the cable line as it is..you want to milk as much speed out of it as you can.

And as for routers..go check em out on Ebay. You can get them now for UNDER $60-70 (granted, most of them are used, but not all). You will need your network cards too, but they're pretty durn cheap on Ebay also.

I got an 8 port Linksys router there for $50.00 and a Netgear wireless router for $60 off of Ebay (both brand new!)

[Hansm]

i did buy the linksys wireless g access point with a pcmcia card

im downloading with 49mbit so not bad, its max 56mbit.