Re: Ethernet connection

Using Ethernet, yes, you can share resources, including files between computers, and Internet/DSL access. This said, there's a whole lot more to it than just hooking up some Etherent wire or wireless. Ethernet is just a transport mechanism, the original purpose behind it was to allow the free movement/sharing of resources amongs't computers connected to a common Ethernet/Network.

If you want to just share files between two computers, the extent of Ethernet that you need is a NIC (ethernet adapter card) for each computer and a piece of cable connecting between each card in each computer. Note that there are so many variations beign included with PCs sold the past few years, it's hard for me to exactly tell you what you need without knowing more about the computers you have (or will have). Twisted pair cable for running 10BT (or 100BT or 1000BT/Gigabit) Ethernet is pretty simple. When you just have two computers, you may need what's called a "crossover cable", no big deal, just remember you might need this. If you decided to use an Ethernet Hub/Switch, this pretty much rules out the need for a crossover cable - the reason why is most low-end Hubs/Switches these days can automatically perform the function of crossover cable via built-in auto-sensing electronics. If you use a Hub/Switch for just two computers, you now you need two cables, one for each computer to plug into the Hub/Switch. Add a third cable to add your DSL/"modem" to this mix.

After you hook up the cable[s] for your two computers, then you need to configure each computer for some basic network settings/parameters dependent on which network protocol you use. IP is the most common protocol used these days, but it's not the only one possible. If you are talking Windows OS, it varies a bit between different OS implementations (XP, 2K, 98/ME/95, etc) but the basic are the same AND Windows provides a pointNclick script/routine (that for the most part actualy works ;) to help you get setup...... but you mentioned DSL, which implies Internet as well as a third computer - the DSL "modem". Granted, this is not a typical computer, but it will have an Ethernet port too, so now you need to have 3 devices hooked up to your Ethernet, this means you can't get away with just a simple single crossover cable, but if you already opted to use a Hub/Switch, the DSL "modem" will plug into a port on the Hub/Switch just like your 2 PCs / computers do. Then you will need to do some setup/configuring on your DSL "modem". The reason why I keep calling it a "modem" is because it really isn't a modem, but the service providers call it that because they know most people sort of know what a modem is. The DSL "modem" is really a low end Router. If the modem is beign provided by your DSL service provider, then you need to discuss with them how to set it up to allow you to have 2 or more computers sharing the Internet connection.

If you are not into using wires, you may opt to do Wireless Ethernet. So instead needing a conventional hard-wired type of NIC for each computer, you now need a Wireless NIC for each computer. Brand new computers these day's may even have an option (at sales time) to include a wireless NIC. Thing is, will your DSL modem support wireless? If it doesn't, then you have two choices: 1) go with all hard-wired ethernet (the Hub/Switch method); 2) go with a combination hardwired & wireless. The latter can get a bit more involved. This should give you enough info to get started.


Tweet