Gottfried,
I was just writing to you on the CL thread. Perhaps these two links can be of some help:
extremetech.com
techupdate.zdnet.com
RE: "I think I need a cable modem [have not subscribed yet], an ap/router with wired and wireless capability, a NIC for the desktop and a PCMCIA card for the laptop."
Right on, unless you want to connect both your desktop and the laptop wirelessly. Then, you would substitute a USB network adapter for the NIC card on your desktop. A reason you might consider this is if the location of your desktop is not optimal for the location of the AP/router/switch device. It is recommended that they be located as centrally in the house as possible. (Don't worry if that's not possible. My Linksys wireless router is located on the top floor at one end of the house, and we get a decent wireless connection three floors down and at the complete other end of the house).
Re:"Which should be set up first..." I would get the cable or dsl service before setting up the network. Scheduling and setting up the service is much more involved than setting up the wireless LAN.
Re:"Oh yes, AT&T cable wants to assign an IP to each networked PC..."
You won't need more than one IP. When installed, your wireless AP/Router device assumes the IP number assigned by the ISP to your computer. Then the router, basically, assigns it's own IP number to each PC on the LAN and acts as postmaster. This is accomplished on most devices by establishing itself as a DHPC server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) upon installation. Once a data packet arrives, the DHCP server forwards it to the appropriate PC. So, you only need one IP number from your ISP for your entire network.
Hope this all helps.
nnil |
