Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Khunopie]

I need to run my laptop and desktop off a cable connection at the same time. Anyone know what options are available to do this and how to do this?

[SuperHero]

Would wifi work?

[Thunndarr]

Well...one way is to throw another network card into your desktop, then run a cable from your desktop to your laptop. Use Windows' network connection wizard to configure it. I've done it before, it's not hard to do, assuming you have the correct cables to do it.

[whatshisname]

Buy a router and run a cable from the computers to the router.

[Thunndarr]

[Bulsajo]

[mishlert]

I'm doing it now.
I have a 4 port, wifi hub. My desktop has a lan cable, and my laptop has a wireless card and both are running great.

[Bulsajo]

I would still recommend a router over a hub.

[the saint]

[Bulsajo]

Disclaimer: I'm not a network guru and I'm sure any errors in the following will be corrected in as humiliating a way possible, but:

A hub splits the bandwidth:
if you have 4 PCs hooked up and using the internet from the hub at the same time they each use a quarter of your bandwidth, more or less.
It's also 'dumb' in that it can't identify packet destination (hey which pc requested this packet? dunno. Guess I'll send it to all of them...).

A router handles bandwidth use better.
One of the ways it does this is it addresses packets and routes them.
Most of them also come with useful features such as bridges, packet sniffers, firewalls, and print servers.

Once upon a time you could say "gee I don't really need a router so I could save a lot of money by just using a hub" but those days are gone as routers have dropped tremendously in price over the years, just like, well, every other piece of hardware.

[Khunopie]

How much will a router cost..... say from the kia to the ferrari of routers?

[Bulsajo]

Is between $20-$75 USD for the wireless option cheap enough for you? Cheaper if you're willing to go the wired route and use cat5 cables- for each machine you want to connect to a wireless router you need a wireless card or adaptor (anywhere from $13-$80 ea.).

All you need is here:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=35

I believe they ship world-wide, but Yongsan and TechnoMart must have brands like D-Link, US Robotics, Netgear, etc. so you can use this page to do some comparison shopping.

[huffdaddy]

wrt wireless routers:

Is price just a function of speed?

How hard is the set up? Install the card in the desktop. Install the drivers(?). Anything else? The desktop I use is in Korean, so I'll be somewhat limited in my fiddling ability.

wrt wired network card:

Can I just buy any network card and a cable? Install the card and set up a LAN connection?

[Harpeau]

I agree with Bulsajo. I got a Unicorn Icarus wireless router for about 44,000 won at Yongsan. The KT guy hooked it up and along with my desktop I have my wireless lap-top in the other room surfing like a breeze!