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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: colecampbell666 on January 06, 2009, 09:40:56 pm

Title: Question About Wireless Networks (the file sharing type)
Post by: colecampbell666 on January 06, 2009, 09:40:56 pm: I have a modem-cum-wireless router from my ISP (Bell/Aliant) can I also use this as a wireless access point to connect my laptop(s) to my server, which is hardwired to the router, rather than wirelessly connected.

Rephrased: Do I have to buy a separate generic router to create a file/printer sharing network?
Title: Re: Question About Wireless Networks (the file sharing type)
Post by: FUBAR-BDHR on January 06, 2009, 09:46:50 pm: You should be able to just use the router. As long as all of your stuff is on the same LAN as the router you are fine. You may have to do a more advanced setup on it especially if you want access your server/printers over the net as well.
Title: Re: Question About Wireless Networks (the file sharing type)
Post by: Nuke on January 06, 2009, 11:40:47 pm: should work fine, just be sure all the computers are in the same workgroup and have file sharing enabled. if your server is a domain controller you can use that. but i never really seen the point if all you want to do is share files.
Title: Re: Question About Wireless Networks (the file sharing type)
Post by: S-99 on January 07, 2009, 05:59:07 am: If the access point has extra ethernet ports sure you could go ahead and do what you want. If it doesn't, then get out of the mantra of thinking of buying another router. You just need extra ports, not extra packet delivering ability. In other words a switch since it has extra ports. Just plug the switch into the router and the access point into the switch.

And if you want to go super cheapie you could even use a hub for extra ports.
Title: Re: Question About Wireless Networks (the file sharing type)
Post by: Bobboau on January 07, 2009, 04:56:41 pm: switch is like $30 for an expensive one BTW.

assuming you want 10/100Mb speeds.
Title: Re: Question About Wireless Networks (the file sharing type)
Post by: colecampbell666 on January 07, 2009, 05:13:38 pm: Yeah, I got everything working, I've now networked my house. Our office printer is WiFi capable, which is a big bonus.
Title: Re: Question About Wireless Networks (the file sharing type)
Post by: S-99 on January 07, 2009, 07:11:58 pm: A cheapie 4 port switch shouldn't be that expensive. Then again 30$ for even a switch is still pretty good. In alasa buying the ****tiest router you can find will cost at least 40$. I ended up getting a 24 port 100$ switch for free. The job working for city hall me and my coworker setup a city surplus sale. There was nobody who was going to buy a switch nor a computer from 1998. Coworker made off with the computer for work related reasons so he could have a word processing machine in his make shift office. And the switch for me was just a nice grab :yes: