I put this in IMHO, because I’m fairly sure that there is no single correct answer to this question. Mods, if I’m off-base, work your moving magic, please.
My sister is about to move into my mother’s house. They want to set up a wireless home network so that they can share a DSL 'net connection, the printers and yada yada.
Mom has a G4 Powerbook (running Jaguar) which she currently uses as a desktop unit, connected directly to the DSL modem and her printer. Before my sister moves in, Mom will be getting a new iMac (also running Jaguar) which will take the “desktop” role while the Powerbook becomes a use-it-around-the-house/surf-the-web-in-bed and travel-capable machine.
All things being equal, I would counsel mom to simply get an Airport, since the Powerbook has an Airport card already. But… the computer that my sister is bringing into the mix is a Compaq laptop running Win98SE.
Being a die-hard Machead, I have no clue how to add a Windows based system into a home wireless network.
Anyone have experience with this kind of situation? Can you suggest the best way to make this work? Product recommendations would be welcome. The fate of my family’s connectivity is in your hands, Dopers!
My first recommendation is, don’t use a wireless LAN.
Now, if all you need to do is to share a broadband connection, what you need is a router/switch combo. Both Macs and PCs use TCP/IP going out to the 'Net, so it doesn’t matter.
Get a Linksys router…this is what I have in my house, and my husband and I are definitely Macheads. It’s really easy to configure (with your web browser) and is perfectly compatible with the Airport Card. I believe this is the one you’ll want:
__BEFW11S4–but you should confirm that it’s a DSL router.
You can configure it to dole out IP addresses to your computers (DHCP), and filter MAC addresses for added security. It’s also cheaper than the Airport.
The instructions are simple, but if you need more help, let me know.
Nope. Don’t know much about Macs. But, I suspect you aren’t going to be able to share the printer. One really good source of info on such matter is this site. I believe they deal with Macs, as well as Wintel.
Nitpick: you don’t want a router, you want a switch. A switch is what allows you to share Internet connections. Most of these “routers” are actually router/switch combos.
Umm, I set up the network in my house to take my dad and my wireless macs (on airport), my little sister’s PC (with a wireless card), my boyfriend’s wired PC (with an eithernet card), and my mom’s riduclously old PC (also on ethernet card). Everything works and it was actually quite easy to set up (and I am by no means a pro!). I did use a router. If you get a router/switch like <a href=“http://www.bestbuy.com/Detail.asp?m=1581&cat=1588&scat=&e=11159620”>this one</a>, it can happen. I have a D link and it has been working well for almost a year and any time there is a problem they have a support number to call where an actual person helps you out…I used this when I set up and was having problems with (of course) the PC. Basically, all I had to do to add the Macs with airport was turn airport on. For the wireless PC, I had to install the card and then install the software…it took me a lot longer to get the PC on, but after 1 phone call to D Link, it was working just fine. As long as you get something that says IEEE 802.11b, I think it works with airport and a PC wireless card. My network has been working great though and I’ll never want to go back to wires! It is so nice to sit outside on the patio and work on stuff… Too bad I’m moving in a few days…
Go wireless and do as Laurasia said. I would not get an Airport but another cheaper device like a linksys or a DLink or Asante. In addition to sharing the DSL connection, you should be able to share a local area network and printers among Macs and the PC by utilizing the built-in Rendevous services within Jaguar. Got to Apple’s site and search for Rendevous. I think it will work with Win 98 but am not totally sure.
I use one at home with my iBook (connected via wireless) and my iMac. My buddy down the street has one connecting his PC’s, and I have hopped onto his network with my iBook without issues (just walking in, actually)
So it does work well in a mixed environment.
Plus at 99 bucks, it is a good deal cheaper than the Airport Base Station.
Configuration is done through your web browser, just type in the IP of the router, and you can configure it.
Nitpicking the nitpick: Router/switch combinations are cool and what most people need, but it’s the router part that allows you to share Internet connections - it’s the router that understands IP and will handle the layer 3&4 stuff like NAT, security etc. The switch is a relatively dumb layer 2 device that doesn’t know (nor care) whether it’s moving IP, IPX or Appletalk.
If you go completely wireless, it doesn’t matter what architecture you have so long as everything is talking on the same standard, say 802.11. There are other wireless standards, namely HomeRF, which are not compatible.
You can also combine wired and wireless, too. Find a router/switch/access point that has ports for multiple wired PCs.
Apples and PCs will communicate just fine over a network.
Note that there serveral 802.11s: “b” is the current most popular one. “a” came out too late to overtake it. “g” is currently finishing up in standards but there are already products on the market for it. (Which means that they may or may not really conform to the standard.) “g” is faster than “a” but you don’t need it for mere Internet connection sharing.
And forget the rest: Bluetooth, etc.
Note that wireless doesn’t work well for many people. Wired works far better in most situations. If at all possible, go wired. Wireless, even the current 802.11s has security problems with WEP. Not something a non-techy should expose themselves to.
I got a wireless negear router/switch and a wireless nic for my laptop 802.11b and it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought computerwise hands down! I am SOOOO glad i didn’t go out and buy that 50ft of ethernet cable i was gonna get, now i can nerd from my couch, or the deck… the range is quite good actually. I’m pretty sure there are several models out there that will work with your mac/pc network just fine.
Here’s another techie chipping in in favor of staying wireless. I might suggest a wired network for desktop computers, but these are two laptops. Who wants to stay connected to wires with laptops?
Just realize that your network connection will be insecure, and secure your notebooks from network intrusion (only share when and what’s necessary, assume all shares are public knowledge so don’t put anything vital in a shared folder, etc). Traveling hackers can still mooch off of your connection, but that shouldn’t be a problem, and if it does, you can take further action.
