New to networking

[Culley]

I currently have a Dell computer at home (which is currently connected to a printer, scanner, and cable modem) and am about to build a second PC. I want to be able to do the following:

1. Share the printer (and scanner)
2. Share the internet connection (cable)
*3. (Possibly) share data files

The computers will be sitting side by side, so there is really no need to have a wireless connection, unless some obvious advantage exists.

The new PC I am building will have a MSI K8N NEO4 SLI motherboard. This board has one gigabit ethernet connection, however the Platinum version has an additional gigabit ethernet connection. I am uncertain as to whether spending the extra money on the Platinum version is really necessary given my networking situation.

After reading a few tutorials and guides, I'm still a little confused as to what equpiment I will need. I'm sure once I get that figured out, I'll be able to use Windows XP to configure the network.

I'm fairly certain I will need a (wired) router, but am not certain how many ethernet cables, NIC cards, or any other equipment I will need.

Thanks.

 

[jcschott]

THe printer is probably not ethernet enabled. If you plan to have more computers eventually you can get a switch and plug both computers into that their will be extra ports to add more computers. You only will need three cat 5 cables if you do that. And configure the computer to share the printer and data files.

 

[okb]

In short you'll need a router, a NIC in each computer and a cable running from each computer to the router (2), a cable running from the router to the modem and the phone cable from the modem to the wall. So 3 Ethernet cables and a phone cord. For a router you should look at Linksys or DLink, they make good ones. I've had numerous DLink NIC cards over the years and you can probably pick up a couple 10/100 cards for pretty cheap.

 

[Culley]

Thanks.

I know this was one of those incredibly annoying noob questions, but for some reason my brain was just cramping today and I could not for the life of me sift through the guides I had found.