Setting up Home network, need advice...

I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as I'd like to be when it comes to Networking, so I need your help! My personal home network has always just been my work and my personal laptops, both with integrated wireless. Set up a wireless router, secure it and call myself a hero! lol

This weekend, I plan to set up a Home Network at my sister's house. They have two desktops and one laptop (a Lenovo S10 netbook will be joining them later this week for a total of four computers). Both laptops support wireless "g", so that seems like the easiest way to go.

I currently have a Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router, but I'm planning to buy myself a wireless 'n' router to replace it. The Linksys has four ports for 'wired' connections as well.

I will connect one of the desktops via Ethernet to the Linksys Router and both laptops can connect wirelessly. The remaining desktop is the only issue. Would it make sense to buy a wireless adapter for that other desktop PC? Are there any other options to get the same result? Any suggestions on what brand/type of wireless adapter to choose for that PC? FYI- it's a DELL Inspiron 530 running XP Home SP2.

I'm hoping to spend as little as necessary to set things up....I just shelled out $400 for the IdeaPad S10 as a gift for my nephew, so I'd rather not spend much more at the moment.

Here's a D-Link Adapter for a Desktop PC, transfer rate up to 54Mbps. It's $29.99 at Newegg and $19.99 counting the mail-in rebate. Here's the link to it- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127080

The next step up the ladder is also a D-Link but its rated up to 108Mbps. It's also $59.99 and Out of Stock at the moment, so it's a moot point.

I greatly appreciate any guidance or suggestions you all have to offer! Thanks!

 

How come you cannot connect the second desktop to one of the LAN ports on the router?

 

This is what i'm asking myself...the obvious is to get an ethernet cable and connect the desktop to another port on the router!

 

Sorry, I should have addressed that obvious solution in my original post.

Distance is the only issue with connecting the second PC via Ethernet. It is at least 60-70 feet away from the location of the other desktop (and where the router will be). Are there any potential issues with using a 100ft. Network Cable to connect it?

If that will work, problem solved! I had already discounted that as a viable option....maybe because the longest Ethernet Cable I see in any stores here is 25ft. But Newegg has 100ft versions.

The house is built on a basement, which would make this even easier. I'll just drill a hole in the floor at the router, run it under the sub-floor and drill another at the location of the second desktop to be connected.

Thanks!

 

From what I remember from college days ...100 ft. is just ideal and if I remember correctly the longest you should actually go w/ an ethernet cable. So my answer is yes that will work...Or you can get a wireless card (like the one you linked above) and install it in the desktop machine...either way will work.

 

With CAT-5e or CAT-6, you can go nearly 300 ft.

 

Okay...I guess I was wrong...it's stated as 100m (328ft). Which is even longer than the OP seems to need, so he should definitely be fine.

Source

 

can u move that desktop or the router around in the house?

 

If you want a professional look, install the cable in-wall with some LAN jacks.