Re: FN-FORUM Networking PCs & sharing peripherals

date posted 29th June 2002 00:47

[EMAIL REMOVED] wrote:
> Hello people, I'd appreciate some advice here.
>
> I have a Windows 98 desktop PC and a Windows 2000 notebook PC, currently
> not networked.
>
> For software testing purposes I need to install separate Windows ME and
> Windows XP machines as well - desktops I suppose, since they're cheaper.
>
> 1. What exactly do I need to do to network all four together?

Assuming you wish you use old-fashioned electric string, rather than wireless, you'll need an ethernet card for each machine (some may well have one built-in; it'll look a bit like a phone socket). For simplicity's sake, I recommend going with 10/100BaseT. 100Mbit cards are available for as little as 9ukp for a cheapy PCI Realtek-8139 based card, so there's no reason to skimp and go 10Mbit.

You'll also need a "straight-through" (as opposed to "crossover") CAT5 cable for each machine and a hub. If you have some 10Mbit cards, you'll want a "switching hub" so that the 100Mbit machines only drop to 10Mbit when they need to talk to another 10Mbit machine.

Finally, if you wish to share your Internet connection, you'll need some firewall/routing software (XP or W2K could suffice, but I'm biased and would recommend something like IPcop or Astaro Security Linux on a dedicated machine). That machine will also need at least two ethernet cards and cables if you're using an Ethernet ADSL/Cable router or equivalent.

> 2. I've only got room for one keyboard and monitor on my desk, besides the
> notebook. Is there a gizmo I can get which will let me connect 3 boxes to
> the same keyboard and monitor, and switch between them?

A common problem!

Yup, you need a keyboard/video/mouse switch (often abbreviated to KVM). Maplin are doing 2-way switches including all cables for half-price (50 quid) right now but they tend to get exponentially more expensive as you add more ports. Belkin seem to do a decent (consumer) range.

> Thanks
> Nick

Best Regards,
Alex.



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