RE: Some question on mulltiple home computers accessing Internet...

["Andy Nolen-Parkhouse" <aparkhouse@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chuck,

I have a home wireless network attached to a cable modem.  All works
well.  All hardware is from LinkSys and available at local computer
retail stores or via mail order.

I've found it to be very reliable.  My current hardware consists of a
router, a wireless hub, and a small five-port switch.  I still have some
wired connections for network printers and the like.  Each device on the
network requires a wireless network card.

Once you (or in my case, my wife) experience walking around the house
with your laptop connected to the internet and setting up to work
anywhere, it would be hard to go back to the cabled network.

Regardless of the networking topology, your neighbor will need some kind
of router connected to the cable modem.  Then a hub of some kind will
connect to the router.  This "hub" have the connections to the other
devices (whether wireless or through power cords, or whatever).

It works.  I have no connection with the vendors.  If you have specific
questions I would be glad to respond.

Regards,
Andy Nolen-Parkhouse

> Hi folks,
>
> I had a call from a friend last night and he has kids in college,
living
> at home, multiple computers, all needing internet access. He lives in
a
> neighborhood that has no DSL at this point but he can get cable
access.
>
> What he is wanting to know is how he can allow all of these computer
(3)
> to access the Internet at the same time. We talked about some stuff
and
> I told him I thought he would need a router or at least a hub and Cat5
> cabling. He said that he would rather stay away from wiring because it
> would be hard to do in a house. He was wondering about wireless.
> Additionally he was wondering what can be attached to the USB port to
> aide this because the PC's do not have ethernet cards. AND if not
> wireless, he was wondering about using the existing power outlets and
> those adapters or whatever it is you get for that. I know years ago
they
> were touting this but wasn't sure where it stood...
>
> Anyone have a clue on this stuff :-) ?
>
> Thanks !
>
> Chuck