AboutScottgem Expertise Most general questions on LANs, especially home networks. Some admin and design issue.
Experience I've been an IT Professional for more then 16 years. I've accumulated a larege store of knowledge that allows me to answer a wide variety of IT related questions.
I am in process of trying to set up a home network and have a number of disparate components.
1. Four laptops with Wi-fi
2. Two of the laptops have 3G cards and access to network via 3G
3. Linksys four port router
This seems to need an ADSL input form a modem to function, but I do not require a internet ADSL link with the 3G modems which we have
4. External HD with USB link, printer with USB link
5. Wii gaming unit (not essential to link this up right now)
I would like to link up the various components and understand what is the least complicated and costly route to link them up.
The Linksys router does not seem to function in linking components without the ADSL input. Can I still use this router in the home network setup, or do I have to purchase something else?
ANSWER: Yes, what you need is a 3G router. Most of the major router manufacturers make them. Instead of connecting the router to a DSL or Cable broadband, you plug in one of your 3G cards. Then the PCs use their WiFi adapters to connect to the router.
Hope this helps
Scott<>
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QUESTION: thanks,
How do I link the USB hard drive and printer to the router?
Answer You don't unless they are networkable. If they are you can connect them using one of the switch ports on the router generally there are four.
Hope this helps
Scott<>
Yes, if you connect the HD to a PC it becomes a drive on that PC and then can be shared as a network resource.
