[gamefreak94]

Basically I get my Internet connectivity via LAN. What I need is that the LAN cable for this should go into the router, and then distribute the connectivity between my PC and laptop. I also want the ability to share files between my PC and laptop, but the catch is that while this small home network should be trusted, the outside network (i.e. other subscribers to my ISP) should not be allowed free access to my computer (doh, don't wanna get hacked!).

To make it easier to understand, I've made an illustration of what I want:

So is this possible? Sorry if this a dumb question, but I'm pretty new to all this networking stuff.

 

[masta.g.86]

Yes. You could even connect the 2 PCs via wireless adhoc.

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

you will need to configure the network as a (sub)domain iirc.

 

[gamefreak94]

So basically the ISP will assign one IP address to the router, and then the router will assign 2 further internal IPs to the 2 nodes?

But how do I set up a software firewall then (I've heard these hardware firewalls are over-rated, is that true?). Will the nodes simply detect 2 separate networks? If so then that will make it pretty easy since I can just tick off one as public, and the other as a private.

Yes. You could even connect the 2 PCs via wireless adhoc.

Isn't ad-hoc only for a home network? In that I won't be able to have internet connectivity?

BTW, are these 2 routers okay?

ZyXEL 802.11g Wireless Firewall Router / P-320W

Welcome to PLANET Technology Corporation.

(the first is more expensive then the 2nd)

 

[masta.g.86]

So basically the ISP will assign one IP address to the router, and then the router will assign 2 further internal IPs to the 2 nodes?

Correct.

But how do I set up a software firewall then (I've heard these hardware firewalls are over-rated, is that true?). Will the nodes simply detect 2 separate networks? If so then that will make it pretty easy since I can just tick off one as public, and the other as a private.

It's not entirely necessary. I have my router set up to only allow specific MAC addresses to connect to it. Also, I use a network password with AES/TKIP2 security. So far, no one other than me has ever accessed the router.

Isn't ad-hoc only for a home network? In that I won't be able to have internet connectivity?

If both PCs already have a wireless connection to the router, then they will both have their own internet connection via the router.

An adhoc network exists between 2 or more wireless enabled PCs separate from the router connection. You could use the adhoc connection for file/printer sharing, etc.

BTW, are these 2 routers okay?

ZyXEL 802.11g Wireless Firewall Router / P-320W

Welcome to PLANET Technology Corporation.

(the first is more expensive then the 2nd)

Haven't heard of those brands. I've always used Linksys once US Robotics pretty much just disappeared.

EDIT: the second one has better security.

 

[gamefreak94]

Thanks a lot!

As for the router, yeah I figure it might just be better to chip in a further 12 bucks or so and get this Lynksis one, has a 2 year warranty as well so no risk of failure:

Linksys by Cisco Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G2

 

[ElijahTW]

My uncle has that router and the wifi reception is terrible.

 

[gamefreak94]

Really? o_0 Linksys product! I'm not really planning to connect from far away though. My PC will be like a few inches from the router.....at most the laptop will be in the next room.

I'll still look up some reviews on it tomorrow though. Maybe the ZyXEL or Planet one might turn out to be a better candidate in the end.

 

[masta.g.86]

Linksys by Cisco Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G2

I used to have the previous generation one. (the one with the antennas sticking out of the back) Reception on the older model was good and if it wasn't good enough, you could always just replace the antennas. I was wary of the new, antenna-less models, so I got the WRT300N. It's ugly as hell, but it has good range.

 

[Spyhop]

Are you getting non-routable IPs from this public network?

 

[gamefreak94]

No. I asked the ISP owner and he said its fine to share bandwidth between multiple computers using a router. Plus a few of my friends are using this ISP as well and they have routers which work fine.

 

[Spyhop]

You misunderstand me. Non-routable IPs are internal IP addresses which don't route through the internet. (ie. 192.168.1.100 or 10.10.5.100).

I don't know what the source of your internet is, only that it's public. That's why I'm asking what type of IP you get assigned.

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

My uncle has that router and the wifi reception is terrible.

the WRT54G2 is different to the WRT54Gv2

 

[gamefreak94]

You misunderstand me. Non-routable IPs are internal IP addresses which don't route through the internet. (ie. 192.168.1.100 or 10.10.5.100).

I don't know what the source of your internet is, only that it's public. That's why I'm asking what type of IP you get assigned.

Always 172.16.xx.x

I used to have the previous generation one. (the one with the antennas sticking out of the back) Reception on the older model was good and if it wasn't good enough, you could always just replace the antennas. I was wary of the new, antenna-less models, so I got the WRT300N. It's ugly as hell, but it has good range.

Ugly? I think it looks better then other routers :lol:

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

the good thing with the new models, is they run ALOT cooler. ... i mean it, the older models would get really hot and they suffered from made in china syndrome (bad caps)

 

[ElijahTW]

the WRT54G2 is different to the WRT54Gv2

I'm not sure what model he has but he got it pretty recently. Six months ago, I believe.

 

[gamefreak94]

WTH! The Linksys WRT-54G costs $26 in the US?!?! Its like $56 here! What a rip-off!

I'll be ordering this from my uncle in the USA, doesn't matter if I have to wait a month when they arrive and I get it, it'll be less then half the price.

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

you can pick up a WRT54G2 from newegg for $29

 

[Rebel_X]

Always 172.16.xx.x

It doesn't matter the private IP addresses work the same way.

10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255 class (A) can hold up to 16.7 minus 2 million nodes (PCs)
172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255 class (B) can hold up to 1048576 minus 2 nodes
192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255 class (C) can hold up to 65536 minus 2 nodes
(minus 2 nodes each, the first node reserved as a gateway, the last reserved as
broadcasting)

since most routers or wireless routers, comes with initial private IP one of
those ranges, you don't have to worry about it really unless you are running
a business or large amount of nodes in the network..

Private IPs are designed to provide security and to make more PCs connected to
the Internet around the globe.. without this arbitrarily over
90% of the population wont be connected to the internet..

Now for your network setup as long as the PC and the laptop under the same
sub-network (within the range of subnet mask) and can ping each other,
you can share files, gaming and even take control of other PCs connected..

What you have to do is letting window (most of the time) do the install
wizard for you and everything should be ok, unless you want to configure
the network manually..

 

[gamefreak94]

Nah I'll use the automatic settings. Good thing the router is listed at portforward.com so I won't receive interference from it with torrents.