Newbie Question: How to Connect 2 computers for the net

[bencat]

This site looks like a great place for information. I'm hoping I can find some of my newbie questions some answers here. I just got a new computer w/ windows XP and it has DSL internet. My brother has a computer running windows 98 SE in his room about 15 feet away from mine. His computer does not have internet. How would I network these 2 computers (wired not wireless, we don't have the budget for wireless) so that he could have the net on his computer as well? Will either computer have to be on for the internet to work on both? Mostly, I need to know exactly what I will need to get the internet on his too, and where to buy it. Thanks!

[PrntRhd]

What brand/model of modem/router do you have for the DSL?

If a modem, you should be able to connect both using an additional router such as a BEFSR41 Linksys with patch cables and a Ethernet card in each.

Modem>Router>PCs.

[bencat]

The modem is a speedstream 5100. Is it cheaper to use the wires rather than wireless?

[PrntRhd]

Are you connected to the modem via Ethernet or are you connected via USB?

Wired is usually cheaper but it depends on the NIC adapters already in the PCs.

[bencat]

It's via Ethernet. Would I need to figure out what NIC adapters are in my computers?

[PrntRhd]

Well you obviously have Ethernet in the new PC if already wired to it with Ethernet.
You would want to get a PCI NIC card for the older PC if it does not have one. Typically these can be obtained at CompUSA/BestBuy or others at less than $20, on EBay for less.

So you would need the following to make an easy home network:
One NIC card for the old PC
One Home router (Linksys and Netgear are two reliable ones)
Two patch cables from the router to the two PCs. (the router will come with one cable to connect the modem to the router)

The use of a router allows you to connect to the Internet without requiring you to keep a host PC running. This means each PC will be free to connect to the web independently.

[bencat]

Thanks so much for the help! I'll be headed up to the store soon to get everything.

[bencat]

Any suggestions on the brand and model of router I should get? What about NIC card?

[PrntRhd]

I posted my recommendation back in post #2 for the router, you may be able to find less expensive models, but they may not be as full featured. A Linksys Fast Ethernet NIC card will do fine, you may want to find a closeout sale somewhere, the driver for Win98 might be easier to find than with the latest versions. You want a less pricey one in any case.
Get patch cables that say Cat5 or Cat5e, both/either will do fine.

[czarg]

But this setup is costly. don't you think so? I would have advised you get a cross-over cable and use ICS to connect the other system, except of course you wish to share yr internet with more than one system. Only then would you need perhaps a switch/hub for the network.

To cut cost, I choose a cross cable for yr Brother's pc. what do you think?

[PrntRhd]

I recommended the router vs ICS because the end result will be better:

1) Because the poster's computer will not need to be left online continuously.
2) Because the poster's computer would be left online with no hardware firewall, exposing that PC to higher than acceptable risk for being comromised by Internet-based threats.
3) Because the resources of the poster's PC would be taxed by the brother's downloads.
4) Because the poster would still have to purchase another NIC to install into his new PC, and a second one for the brother's PC.

I have used ICS and I have used home routers, and I can tell you from personal experience the router method is superior.

[PrntRhd]

I recommended the router vs ICS because the end result will be better:

1) Because the poster's computer will not need to be left online continuously.
2) Because the poster's computer would be left online with no hardware firewall, exposing that PC to higher than acceptable risk for being comromised by Internet-based threats.
3) Because the resources of the poster's PC would be taxed by the brother's downloads.
4) Because the poster would still have to purchase another NIC to install into his new PC, and a second one for the brother's PC.

I have used ICS and I have used home routers, and I can tell you from personal experience the router method is superior. The difference in cost is about $20.