How should I set up my home network?

Read the article that everyone's commenting on.
Subscribe to the RSS Feed for comments on this article.

I haven't looked at the specific models you mention, but if I were to get another router, I would get it with 802.11g, just to keep my options open to support the faster wireless protocol if I ever got other equipment that supported it.

Hi,

If possible could you help me out with my home network. I have 2 PC's at home and a wireless internet connection. The 1st PC has 2 NIC's (one onboard for the internet and one PCI [with 8 ports] for the 2nd PC). The 2nd PC has 1 NIC. The 2nd PC is connected to the 1st PC by means of a crossed over network cable. The network connection on the 1st PC is bridged to allow the 2nd PC internet access. Unfortunately once bridged the internet connection is very slow, even if the 2nd PC is not connecting to the internet. Is this normal?
Is it possible to link the 2nd PC and the internet using the network card that has 8 ports instead of creating the bridge? Thanks for your time.

Shane: I avoid bridging like the plague. What I'd do instead is turn on "internet connection sharing" on the PC connected to the internet that has more than one NIC. That allows that PC to act as a NAT router for your other machines, and in my experience has been quite fast.

Hi im going to buy a laptop im using OptusNet Cable on my computer so if i buy a laptop i can use my cable on it? if you can what do i have to buy? (cords/rooters/etc) and how much do you think it will cost me? i live in Melbourne Victoria Australia.

You'll have to check with the cable company. You may only need a cable modem and a network cable to go to it, or you may want to add a router to the mix.

yeah i am DUMB when it comes to setting up my us robotics 8003 router i want to setup the router with NAT for 2 pcs using one as the "dmz" my question is how do i do this thanks nrm.

I'm not familiar with that specific router, so I'll simply direct you to the documentation that should accompany it, or the US Robotics web site. Typically there's a web-based interface that allows you to make all those configuration changes.

Hi Leo
I have just got broadband and want to connect to one laptop (a desk top to follow shortly) I am trying to connect to th einternet wirelessly but the connection kept droppin off even with a good signal. Now the signal has dissappeared is it something I'm doing or is it the router and card malfunctioning?

If the signal's truly disappeared, then yes, I'd suspect the hardware. However before doing that I'd a) 'reboot' the router by powering it down for a few, and then also b) remove (if you can) the wireless card from the computer, and reinstall it. I'd also make sure that a wired connection works reliably, since this is a new installation.

I have a 2-station LAN set up with a desktop and laptop. I just installed a cable modem to the ethernet switch. The cable company requires that the TCP/IP be set to automatically get the IP address. I can configure the desktop to connect to the internet. However, I can't get the LAN working. In setting up a second IP (with my old IP addresses), having XP configure the network, etc. I am unable to have lan and cable. I called the cable company and after speaking with 3 technicians, was told that their cable internet (lite version) that I have will not allow me to run a LAN. I need to upgrade to the business-version of their cable internet.

I've tried everything I can think of - and have experience with networking as well as installing cable modems on a lan - but can't get this working. Am I out of luck on this one?

In my area, there are no other high-speed options - cable is the only way.

To post a comment on "How should I set up my home network?", please return to that article's main page.