Wireless on Library Network

[eogmp3]

Hi.
I'm a newbie to networking but need to set up a wireless link between two computers at work and unfortunately we don't really have an IT team that can help me.

Basically, our office has three or four computers hooked up to the internal institution (its a library) network. Another computer which we use a lot is in a different room which has no network points and we can't have one installed.

If I get the library to buy a wireless router and wireless card/adapter, how difficult will it be to use one of the computers on the network as a server & connect it to the non-networked computer via wireless?

What would this involve? Would the setup be on the networked machine and would I need to get administrative passwords to set up the network (this isn't a problem, although we don't really have an IT dept., I do have full access to these passwords). All machines are running Windows 2000.

Can someone tell me where to start? I'd be confident enough doing it at home (although it would take me awhile) but am I likely to run into further complications and conflicts because I'm on the Library network?

Sorry for my complete ignorance, but you're dealing with a newbie. I suppose we all have to start somewhere! Any advice will be much appreciated.

Eoghan

[YeOldeStonecat]

First I wish to see more details of your existing setup. You mention a few computers already hooked up to an existing network. If you wish to add wireless PCs to that one...most likely what you want to add...is an access point, not a router. An access point will add wireless ability to an existing network. A wireless router is used to share a single connection..with both wired and wireless PCs. An existing wired network probably already has a router in place. You generally want to avoid adding another router...to an existing router. Yes...some people will argue that you can take a wireless router...and through a few bandaid McGuyver fixes...fiddle with it to run as an access point..but why not start correctly from scratch.

So....can you find out more details of this existing network? What's current in place? Adding an access point to it would require having a wired connection where you'd place the AP. Then..hopefully your wireless PCs would be within range of that access point.

Do the wireless PCs need to be separated from the existing network?

[ErikD]

It seems to me the biggest propblem is that you don't have an availbale network connection for the extra PC and you will still need one for the AP. You will need to find an available network connection to plug the AP into, and it will need to be in a place within range of the PC you want to connect.

Further security would be a concern. As I understand it you want to use wireless to conenct it fully to an existing network. Wireless is inherintly less secure than wired simpley because the air is the network medium. Anyone with the knowledge can grab the signal and have your information if you are not careful. Since this is a library network it might be of even bigger concern. What is it used for, work? or is it just for people to come in and browse the web?