Need help with network setup.

[Rhaelath]

Hello Forum,

 

Just wondering on how to best configure my network, currently I have my desktop computer, two laptops and a xbox 360 in my room. My xbox doesn't have wireless adapter or have wireless in built so I usually use one of my laptops to connect it to my wifi, I also use the other laptop to connect my desktop computer to my wireless network. So I was wondering if there was something that I could use so that I only have to plug my desktop and xbox into so that they can connect to the wifi or only use one of my laptops to connect them.

 

Thank you!

[hiyayhi]

First question.

Is running a cable, COMPLETELY out of the question?

 

It is not that difficult, and would be MUCH more satisfactory.

[soup]

Some sort of cable would be quicker, cleaner, less prone to 'issues' etc but if totally impossible :-

 

Set up a wireless router as a "client" (wireless bridge) plug the xbox and desktop into that .

 

Note: only some routers can be used in this way check the particular one you have in mind can do this before purchasing.

 

You MAY be able to get an old router to work as a client by installing DD-WRT  on it

http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/reuse-an-old-router-to-bridge-devices-to-your-wireless-network/

No idea how easy/hard this is to do, haven't tried it.

 

Mmm, looking about this :-

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/tp-link-tl-wr702n-single-band-n150-wireless-travel-cable-router-n28nf

seems ideal

It only supports one device at a time but at less than £20 maybe get two, one dedicated to each connection freeing up the laptop for 'other uses'.

 

But really if you can use it at all, a cable connection would be so much better

Remember instaling cable need not involve drilling walls.  Run the cable along the edge of a room (under carpet[edge! Please, please, please do NOT run cable under carpet in the middle of the room]/on the skirting board), under doors, along roofs, IN roof spaces: there are gazillions of methods to installing cable that doesn't involve drilling.  Length of cabling is not (shouldn't be) an issue in domestic situations as cable runs can be 100 m.  Patch cables (if terminating the wires is an issue) are easily availlable up to 30m (110ft)

[Rhaelath]

First question.

Is running a cable, COMPLETELY out of the question?

 

It is not that difficult, and would be MUCH more satisfactory.

 

My room is waaay too far for a cable and it would be in everyones way walking down the hallway.

[Rhaelath]

Some sort of cable would be quicker, cleaner, less prone to 'issues' etc but if totally impossible :-

 

Set up a wireless router as a "client" (wireless bridge) plug the xbox and desktop into that .

 

Note: only some routers can be used in this way check the particular one you have in mind can do this before purchasing.

 

You MAY be able to get an old router to work as a client by installing DD-WRT  on it

http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/reuse-an-old-router-to-bridge-devices-to-your-wireless-network/

No idea how easy/hard this is to do, haven't tried it.

 

Mmm, looking about this :-

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/tp-link-tl-wr702n-single-band-n150-wireless-travel-cable-router-n28nf

seems ideal

It only supports one device at a time but at less than £20 maybe get two, one dedicated to each connection freeing up the laptop for 'other uses'.

 

But really if you can use it at all, a cable connection would be so much better

Okay ill look into it, it seems like a viable option.

[Rhaelath]

Some sort of cable would be quicker, cleaner, less prone to 'issues' etc but if totally impossible :-

 

Set up a wireless router as a "client" (wireless bridge) plug the xbox and desktop into that .

 

Note: only some routers can be used in this way check the particular one you have in mind can do this before purchasing.

 

You MAY be able to get an old router to work as a client by installing DD-WRT  on it

http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/reuse-an-old-router-to-bridge-devices-to-your-wireless-network/

No idea how easy/hard this is to do, haven't tried it.

 

Mmm, looking about this :-

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/tp-link-tl-wr702n-single-band-n150-wireless-travel-cable-router-n28nf

seems ideal

It only supports one device at a time but at less than £20 maybe get two, one dedicated to each connection freeing up the laptop for 'other uses'.

 

But really if you can use it at all, a cable connection would be so much better

 

Yep that exactly what I was after, thank you so much! I will be able to save a few bucks on my power bill now.

[hiyayhi]

My room is waaay too far for a cable and it would be in everyones way walking down the hallway.

I don't mean running it through the house, I mean under the house or in the roof.

If there is a gap under the house then it is totally possible. You just need to learn how to terminate a cable and you would also need a long cable.

 

You can get cables in bulk, but that probably isn't worth it.