Please help share my broadband

[higher]

I am currently on comcast cable using a laptop with pentium 3 with XP pro.
I want to share my high speed with my dad's desktop downstairs where he is still using the very slow dial up.
His desktop is pentium 4 with XP home edition.
What do I need in order to set this up to work properly?
I know that I will have to get a wireless cable router, but is that all I will need?
Also, are there any downside to sharing the internet like the speed getting slower?
And can I also be on line wireless with my laptop? I get real tired of sitting on this hard chair, it would be heaven if I could lay back sometimes while surfing.

If someone could help I would really appreciate it.

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help.

Link to: Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing. (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=105)

Link to: Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...? (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48)

Link to: Diagram of Broadband Connection with Cable/DSL Router. (http://www.ezlan.net/~network/router.jpg)

Ignore the prices in the links above. The same or similar hardware can be found for 60%-90% less.

[RAAF453_Shep]

I have had 3 pc's on my router, &a wireless laptop.... with a great range from the router too ! , and didnt notice a hit on speed at all.

but getting all the same brand hardware will make it work the best. Put the desktop at the router, and XP will let the rest set up all very simple. no special understandings at all. I did it...
enjoy .

[qball15j]

Originally posted by higher
I am currently on comcast cable using a laptop with pentium 3 with XP pro.
I want to share my high speed with my dad's desktop downstairs where he is still using the very slow dial up.
His desktop is pentium 4 with XP home edition.
What do I need in order to set this up to work properly?
I know that I will have to get a wireless cable router, but is that all I will need?
Also, are there any downside to sharing the internet like the speed getting slower?
And can I also be on line wireless with my laptop? I get real tired of sitting on this hard chair, it would be heaven if I could lay back sometimes while surfing.

If someone could help I would really appreciate it.

Sounds like the cable modem is upstairs by your laptop? If that's the ase your wireless router will have to go there too. What you'll need is a wireless router, a wireless PCMCIA card for your laptop, and a USB wireless adapter for your dad's desktop. Why I say a USB adapter is. Better signal strength since the antenna can be placed anywhere around the computer unlike the PCI cards that have the antenna sticking out hte back of the card in that mess if wires where signal is a factor. Another reason is easy installation.

Your internet wont get slower, that's one of those WiFi tals... lol Think about it Comcast's new speeds for basic customers is 3Mbits and your wireless connection depending on signal strength in a average house will be 5Mbits and up.. Usually a full 11Mbits for 802.11b.

Finally, yes you can be on your laptop wirelessly. NOTE: Why I mentioned the PCMCIA card above.

Your probly going to ask what brand I would recommend. I'd have to say Linksys. For the average home user their wireless products are worth it.

[Joe]

yup.. get a linksys wireless router with built in 4 or more port switch... your internet will not slow down at all per PC unless for instance one PC is hogging alot of bandwith (uploading?)

as for the wireless connections they are ussually just as good minus a seemingly unoticable lag in request response time for getting websites etc.. you can always get upgraded antennas for your access point or client that will signifigantly increase signal strength and lower lag.