Sorry guys, I'm such a noob but I only have a pretty quick question. I want to put two laptops on a network. They both have wireless LAN cards built into the laptop. My question is: Since I want to set them both up in a working network where they can share files and the printer (and all that jazz) would I still need to get a router? Or a cable to connect both of the laptops? I know how to setup a network with a desktop pc and a laptop but I don't know what I need in order to do it laptop to laptop. Can anyone help me, please? Much obliged!!
I'm not an expert at wireless networks, but I'm fairly certain you still need a router to connect the two. Or at least a crossover network cable.
Yes, you can connect two computers together via wireless without a router. It is called an Ad Hoc Wireless Network. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bowman_02april08.mspx See that page for a description on how to set it up.
Hey thank you so much for the replies. I had heard about Ad Hoc but I didn't know how to go about that. That site is very useful! But in case problems arise for whatever reason, what is a crossover network cable??? Thanks!
oohhh!!! I didn't know that was the name of that cable. hah! But once, I do get that cable and I hook up both laptops, I would just go about setting up the network as usual, right? Without touching the internet connection too, right?
aah! I just confused myself. So let us say the two laptops are near a place that has the internet connection and wireless network (both of the laptops can get into that network), but I want thesde two lappys to have their own network. the crossover cab lets me do this (yay!) but that means I won't have to ad hoc it right? (i don't want to have to get a router.)
Your best bet is a wireless router. At first you need to have it hooked up to a computer to set it all up and configure it. So I hope one of your computers has an ethernet port. If not, use someone elses computer to configure the router. Once it's set up and you have the WEP key, if you choose to encrypt, then the router can just be hooked up to a power source and your modem. If you plan on transfering large files between them, you are better off connecting them through ethernet, if you have the ports. Wireless g is 54Mbps. Depending on your laptop, ethernet could get you 100-1000Mbps. 54Mbps is good for music sharing and internet, but not anything like a DVD .iso etc.
