and the price?
2006-11-10 11:13:31 · 5 answers · asked by mac t 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
If you only need to network 2 computers, all you need are NICs in each (Network Interface Cards) and a CAT5 cable or crossover cable.
2006-11-10 11:16:05 · answer #1 · answered by disposable_hero_too 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ordinary computer cables like Cat 5 are cheap. You'll probably find cables a few feet long for $5-10.
If you're connecting two computers together, you may need to go to a computer shop to find the crossover cable, but it probably won't cost any more. (The only physical difference is that a few of the wires are twisted. People buy these cables a little less often, so they might charge more because it takes up space on the store's shelf longer.)
If you'd like to make it simple to connect these two computers to other things, you can buy a switch ($25-60), which makes it easy to connect all of the computers in your house together, or you can buy a switch and a router combo($30-80) which'll also make it easy to connect all of your computers to the internet. You'll probably just buy a switch & router combo, it does the things most people want effortlessly for not much money, which is why most people buy them.
One last choice. You can get wireless. If these computers are laptops, they probably have wireless cards in them... if not, you'd need to buy wireless cards ($40-100), and a wireless access point. The cheapest and easiest way to buy an access point is probably as part of a router + switch + access point ($40-100).
Amazon's a good place to get prices and reviews, your local computer store will also be happy to get you the right equipment. Most of them will even install cards into your computer for you (though chain stores may charge a fee).
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/598262/ref=/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_tr/104-5368994-7046336
2006-11-10 20:16:56 · answer #2 · answered by btoblake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well each computer will need a NIC (Network Interface Card), a CAT5 crossover cable.
But if you plan to add another or more computers you will need to get a switch (router) then all you need is a straight through patch cable
2006-11-10 19:36:21 · answer #3 · answered by Waz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can be done with a wireless router and wireless card. I use a wireless USB adapter. That way you don't have to go into the second PC.
2006-11-10 19:23:49 · answer #4 · answered by gntolng 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.homenethelp.com/
2006-11-10 19:15:05 · answer #5 · answered by spankdis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋