Need to rearrange my home network!

[DampCat]

Hi there.

I'm so rubbish at networking its silly. I seem to fumble my way around it with varying degrees of success. The fact that i can access the internet at all is a miracle.

Anyway my current setup looks like this:

I have 2 PC's. Mine, and my Mum's. Mum's is in the hall and right next to the cable line-in socket. I have the cable modem (webstar something or other) which has USB and 2x Ethernet connections. I also have a 20 year old router under the desk.
The Cable MOdem is connected to my mum's PC via USB, and then to the Router. The router in turn is connected to My PC.

Cable Socket --> Mum's PC (internet COnnection Sharing)--> Router --> My PC

As you can see its not the most ideal set up as it requires my mum's "server" pc as it were to be turned on in order for me to be online. Is it possible for me to switch this so that the cable modem runs to the router, and then splits to the two PC's independantly? I tried before and i just couldnt seem to connect to the outside world. Which settings would i have to abuse?

 

[tolien]

What router is it?

Assuming it's a "cable/DSL" router, you just need to hook the modem up to the WAN port and both machines to the switch ports.
You'll need to switch the modem off first, disconnect it, switch it back on and wait for the lights to stop flickering then hook it up to the router. If you didn't do that before, that's why nothing worked.

 

[Deleted member 58846]

you could go wireless if your up on that side of knowledge. If not then maybe could be nice to read up about it.

 

[LeperousDust]

you could go wireless if your up on that side of knowledge. If not then maybe could be nice to read up about it.

I dont think there is ANY need to go wireless here at all. In fact so many reasons NOT to!
He'd have to buy new kit for; His mums PC, his PC and a Router!
He may not know what hes doing too.
Its probably more of a hassle.
He already has a wired network basically installed!

Why would you tell him to go wireless?

 

[DampCat]

What router is it?

Assuming it's a "cable/DSL" router, you just need to hook the modem up to the WAN port and both machines to the switch ports.
You'll need to switch the modem off first, disconnect it, switch it back on and wait for the lights to stop flickering then hook it up to the router. If you didn't do that before, that's why nothing worked.

So i wouldnt need the 70's Router at all? I heard that cause i use the USB connection from the modem to the pc, it plays about with the ethernet ports on the modem?

And if i count correct, i'd need 3 lengths of cat5? one from the wall to the modem, and 2 from the modem to the pc's?

sorry, im rubbish

and Zen, i'm scared of wireless in any case the server PC is right outside my bedroom door so i can just run the wires under the carpet

 

[tolien]

So i wouldnt need the 70's Router at all?

You need a router. Whether it's that one or not is up to you, though using an ancient router when you could buy a new one that'll be much better for <£40 seems daft.

I heard that cause i use the USB connection from the modem to the pc, it plays about with the ethernet ports on the modem?

You might need to go through the setup again, but AFAIK it'll work fine.

And if i count correct, i'd need 3 lengths of cat5? one from the wall to the modem, and 2 from the modem to the pc's?

It should be coax into the modem, and cat5 from modem to the router's WAN port.

 

[Deleted member 58846]

I dont think there is ANY need to go wireless here at all. In fact so many reasons NOT to!
He'd have to buy new kit for; His mums PC, his PC and a Router!
He may not know what hes doing too.
Its probably more of a hassle.
He already has a wired network basically installed!

Why would you tell him to go wireless?

Because theres no wires If he had the money ovcourse.

Whats hassel gotto do with it? Thats what I said about if he had the knowledge.

 

[LeperousDust]

Because theres no wires If he had the money ovcourse.

Whats hassel gotto do with it? Thats what I said about if he had the knowledge.

Because there are no wires isn't really a decent answer! Wired over wireless where possible. Its easier cheaper faster. Wireless has a time and a place its not as a recommendation in this thread.