[Bill Posters]

I'm looking for recommendations for methods/hardware to share a broadband connection between a Windows PC and a Mac in separate rooms.

The modem itself doesn support OS X, so I'm guessing may need to piggy-back off of the WInXP machine.
It would be ideal if I could have the Mac tap into the broadband connection via the existing phone points as this seems the simplest, most natural way of networking

I know less than nothing about the technical side of these things, so don't even know if this is possible.

I'm not looking to do any rewiring and I'm reluctant (but not totally averse) to going wireless as it looks significantly more expensive than the alternatives.

Any have any advice to give this domestic networking novice?

TIA

[andrewparker]

Go Wireless!

[Mik]

its the future i hear

[pedge]

Originally Posted by Bill Posters

I'm looking for recommendations for methods/hardware to share a broadband connection between a Windows PC and a Mac in separate rooms.

The modem itself doesn support OS X, so I'm guessing may need to piggy-back off of the WInXP machine.

It would be ideal if I could have the Mac tap into the broadband connection via the existing phone points as this seems the simplest, most natural way of networking

I'm not looking to do any rewiring and I'm reluctant (but not totally averse) to going wireless as it looks significantly more expensive than the alternatives.

Any have any advice to give this domestic networking novice?

TIA

Not sure about piggybacking off the WinXP machine, but my advice would be to get yourself a Zoom X4 ADSL router - enter your broadband settings into it via your web browser.

Hook your Mac and PC into it via ethernet (one from the PC t'other from the Mac) and check you have your machines ethernet settings to DHCP so it gets the IP addresses from the router.

You're up and running!

The beauty about the router is that any machine with an Ethernet connection and web capabilities should be able to connect straight off, so long as the DHCP is turned on the computer. I use OSX and it was really easy to set up.

You can only connect two machines direct to the X4 but if you get yourself a cheapo hub from Maplins or whatnot you can add more if needed.

You'll have to hide the ethernet cable somehow but if you don't want to go wireless, AFAIK ethernet is the way to go.

Here's a link I found via google which has a good review of it: http://www.mygamer.com/article.php?view=3571

If you get one and need advice on setting up for OSX, send me a message.

HTH!

[Bill Posters]

A cabled approach is out of the question as the two machines are on different floors and I'm not willing to run cabling around the floors and stairs.
I'm now looking at the wireless options, but frankly they confuse me.
I know squat about networking.

I was kinda thinking that the process might be a simple matter of having the bb connection available via any/all internal phone sockets and some kind of modem/modem-like hardware.
Seems odd that the most obvious approach is the only one that's not available.


[edit]

I'm also after a method that doesn't require one machine to be on in order for the other machine to connect to bb.
Not sure how that plays out, but that's an essential part of the equation.

[pedge]

Originally Posted by Bill Posters

I was kinda thinking that the process might be a simple matter of having the bb connection available via any/all internal phone sockets and some kind of modem/modem-like hardware.

Ah gotcha, you're right that it is logical to use the internal phone sockets but I dont think it works that way - although the ADSL link will be available from all sockets, you can only access it directly from the machine with the modem/router.

Looks like wireless is the way to go then, here's a starter for ya as suggested by a m8:

http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/produ...L-G604T&pm=877

http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/products.asp?pm=877

You will need the wireless ADSL Router (about £88) to connect upto the first computer (maybe the Mac) and a wireless card (about £42) for the remote computer (the PC).

Good luck!

[pedge]

Originally Posted by Bill Posters

[edit]

I'm also after a method that doesn't require one machine to be on in order for the other machine to connect to bb.
Not sure how that plays out, but that's an essential part of the equation.

Sounds like you'd need that wireless router and wireless card then, as I think the machine with the wireless card will 'talk' *directly* to the router (not the other computer) - the other machine would be connected directly to the router via ethernet when turned on (unless you get another wireless card).

Not 100% sure it works that way (I'm 99% sure!) as I'm going on info I've picked up from engineer m8's, but I think thats the route you will need to go down.

HTH!

Pedge

[Bill Posters]

It seems I've now centered on getting a wireless router and some form of wireless hardware/peripheral for the mac.

Having recently bought another usb hub, I now have usb ports a-plenty, so I'm wondering if I could simply get a wireless/usb adaptor of a kind similar to the bluetooth dongle/adaptor that I recently bought.
It seems a simpler and more cost effective solution than buying a wireless card for the mac - especially Apple's own, typically over-priced option.
It would definately be simpler for someone like me, who doesn't particularly like messing about inside the 'pooter.

Something like:
http://www.netgear.com/products/prod...php?prodID=223

+

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop...&ProductID=688

[pedge]

Originally Posted by Bill Posters

Something like:
http://www.netgear.com/products/prod...php?prodID=223

+

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop...&ProductID=688

I've heard Netgear are quite good so you should be ok with their wireless router - that USB thingy from D-Link is a nifty gadget I've not seen before; 2 of the 3 user reviews seem to be positive so thats something although the other review says its finicky to set up.

I'd say give it a try - looks just like what you're looking for...

Pedge

[Bill Posters]

According to many reviews, it seems that particular usb/wireless dongle is unstable on certain mac/os combos including my own.
It seems that they work perfectly well on XP systems.

So, I may get both of those items and have the router situated with the mac instead (hooked in via e/net) and use the dongle with the XP machine instead, which gets far less use.
Seems like a solution.

Thanks for the feedback/input.

[pedge]

Originally Posted by Bill Posters

According to many reviews, it seems that particular usb/wireless dongle is unstable on certain mac/os combos including my own.
It seems that they work perfectly well on XP systems.

So, I may get both of those items and have the router situated with the mac instead (hooked in via e/net) and use the dongle with the XP machine instead, which gets far less use.

Good idea - the Netgear definately works directly with a Mac (my m8 has a G4 hooked up to one) so if the dongle works with the PC then you're laughing.

Pedge